Page 201 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“No,” a voice said from behind me, turning my blood cold.

I didn’t want to turn around. I didn’t want to see her monstrous face, but it couldn’t be avoided.

Slowly, I turned on my heels.

“What are you doing here?” My words caught in my throat.

Erissa smirked.

“You thought your little band of warriors could stop me?”

Behind her, Baylis, Kita, and Alwin stood with their arms crossed over their chests. Their eyes narrowed on me, and I instinctively reached for Tharan’s hand. I had moments to think of something. I jumped into Amolie’s mind.

When we attack, run for the Trinity Stone.

‘Got it.’

Ejecting myself from her mind, I squeezed Tharan’s hand before letting go.

“If you value your life, you will leave now Erissa.”

She huffed, tapping her foot on the stone floor impatiently.

“I’ve been dreaming of this day since they took Crom from me. Do you think I would really give up that easily?”

Rage boiled in my veins.

“You want to watch the world burn, for what? A man who didn’t even care enough about you to ensure your safety? Did he love you in return, Erissa, or is this some fucked up way of getting him to?”

Her brows knitted.

“He loved me in his own way. Now, step aside.”

“No,” I said through gritted teeth.

She shrugged. “Fine, have it your way.”

Tension pulled taut in the air. Baylis nocked and released her bow, letting it fly in Caiden’s direction, but his senses were back, and he caught the arrow in midair, cracking it in two in his powerful hands.

Baylis swallowed hard.

“Now!” I yelled.

Caiden released a bolt of lightning while Tharan sprayed the group with poisonous spores.

Erissa threw up a shield, blocking our attacks.

The knot in my chest whirled faster, making a heat rise inside of me, like a burning kiln. Pain radiated through every limb. My breaths were short and ragged.

Amolie ran for the stone, but Baylis fired another arrow high into the chamber. I could only look on in horror as it found a home in her ankle.

Amolie tumbled to the floor, crying out in agony.

I narrowed my eyes on the ancient mage. My heart beat like a drum. It was always going to come to this. Just her and I. She made me this monster and I would repay the favor.

I launched into her mind.

There was no door marring my way. No set of traps to ensnare me, only a sea of stars met my gaze.

---