Page 119 of A Fate so Cruel

Rion rolled back to his feet, the world tilting as he did. He ducked under another blade, then lunged at another and buried his blade up to the hilt in the male’s torso.

He fell and didn’t move again.

Another lunged from his left, roots reaching out from the floorboards. The tendrils wrapped around Rion’s ankles, yanking him from his feet. Rion caught himself and twisted away, using the earth to strangle the roots and vines before it dove for his attacker’s airways.

His vision blurred further.

The antidote. He had the antidote. Rion reached inside his satchel, but a boot planted itself in the side of his face, knocking him to the floor again. Vines latched onto his wrists and arms and torso, all squeezing. Thorns tore through his flesh, sawing back and forth as they stretched and tightened.

Rion roared. The planks of the floorboards splintered and shattered beneath the pressure of the earth tearing up from beneath. He shoved tendrils and grains in all directions, relished in the sound of the whimpers that followed.

Rion rose and a fist landed across his jaw, knocking him back to his knees. Another tried to follow, but Rion grabbed the male’s closed hand. He met the frightened warrior’s gaze and slowly stood, squeezing that hand until the bones cracked beneath the pressure of his magic.

The male cried out. A chair flew at him from his right, but Rion’s magic rose of its own accord and shattered it in the air. The splinters fell away and Rion turned his hateful gaze on his enemy. They stepped back, their chests heaving.

He snapped his teeth and used his magic to prevent them from escaping. A hand severed. Then an ankle. He slammed his magic into the nearest male’s torso and punctured the ribcage of another.

His world tilted. Spun.

Selina.

Rion whirled, looking for her, fear suddenly snaking down his spine. He hadn’t been aware enough. If he’d—she still stood beside their table, an empty vial already in hand. But she was . . . frozen, as if in shock. Warriors didn’t go into shock.

“The hell are you doing?” he slurred, then reached inside his satchel, withdrew another vial, and downed the contents. He was only supposed to take half, but he couldn’t afford to take too little. Not with Selina here and his body on the verge of giving out. If they went after her next—

Footsteps sounded behind and Rion twisted, but Selina was faster, her blades hitting fatal marks.

The world fell silent. Mostly. Those who’d taken cover were whimpering and praying to the gods for their own survival. Many were hidden behind overturned tables and chairs, doing their best to protect their heads and vital points.

Rion observed them, looking for any who might be ready to join his now-dead assailants before turning toward Selina. His breath came labored and ragged. His pulse was sluggish.

He should have known better. Shouldn’t have been so distracted by the idea of having dinner with a pretty female.

A female who’d suggested they come here in the first place.

She wouldn’t—panic seeped through him. Had his first instinct been right? Had she been stringing him along all this time just waiting for an opportunity to—

Selina ran at him, but he reacted too slow. She ducked under his arm and—draped it across her shoulder. His gaze flickered to hers, uncertain. She watched the bodies on the floor, then the patrons now rising to assess whether they were safe. She sniffed the air, then tugged him along.

His magic rose up and surrounded her. She froze, her own breath labored. “Are you in control?” she whispered. That was fear stinging his nose now. Fear of the sand wrapping around her body, snaking along her skin, uncertain and confused.

To trust or not to trust. “I don’t know,” he answered honestly.

She nodded. She was trembling but didn’t back away. “Well, control it, I’d rather not lose a limb today.” He breathed, then heaved again. Nothing came up. “We need to move,” she said, “That way, out the back.” Rion followed her finger and only nodded.

It was broad daylight; there wouldn’t be anywhere for them to hide.

Selina slammed open the heavy door, then released him long enough to unfold a cloak from her pack. She fastened it across his shoulders, pulled up the hood, then wrapped her arm around him again.

“No one will find us now,” he said sarcastically.

“You’re just another drunk guest. The citizens on the streets won’t think twice.”

The citizens. He squinted against the harsh sun. She planned to try to disappear into the crowd. Perhaps she hoped that would stay his assailant’s hand.

“Can you walk?”

He didn’t realize how heavily he’d been leaning on her. “I don’t know.” It felt like the only thing he could say.

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