Page 106 of The Anointed's Paladin

“Yes. Thousandsofhellspawn,” he spat, disdain curling his lip. “All the more reason for me to enjoy killing the vermin.”

He… had never intended for me to survive this. I had never liked Lydes, but this was something else. Betrayal.

Cassandra cleared her throat. “As I was saying, I was the one who brought you here when your charge abandoned you. I believe I am owed a boon.”

“You are owed nothing,you shadow-born leech,” he said, voice shaking. He turned to Cassandra. She took a step backward, face darkening. “Careful, Lydes,” she spat. “I don’t needyouto get what I want.”

I shifted quietly, slowly lifting myself to a standing position beneath the pod. My wounds were almost healed, my vision clearer. I just needed them to argue a little bit longer, and I’d be strong enough again to put up a fight. Try and save this baby. Succeed where I failed Percie.

“You should count it as a blessing that I have spared your accursed existence. I cannot promise to be so lenient if you continue to address me,” Lydes was saying.

Cassandra lifted her hands, and her golems stomped forward.

“I know an apparition when I see one. All I have to do is slit that golden throat, and this echo of your form will be expelled.”

“How dare you threaten me!” Lydes roared, and he raised his hand, summoning a shimmering warhammer.

The golems charged at him.

“Well, well, well. This certainly makes our job easier,” came an amused whisper from behind me.

I turned around, heart thudding. Somehow, Kaine was here, half obscured by a thick column to my right. Two big steps, and I was at his side, pulling him into a hug.

“You can’t come crashing over here like an elephant,” he said, his eyes sparkling. “You’re going to give away my hiding spot.”

“How did you get here?” I asked.

“Cirae gave us a bit of help.”

“Just like that?”

“They seemed to be under the impression I would use it to come in here and be some kind of hero.”

I grinned.

“Jokes on them, then.”

“Why, Talon, I’mmostoffended,” he grabbed my arm and pulled us both further out of sight.

“Where’s Nidori? Is she okay?” I asked, worried.

“She’s currently fighting her way up here,” he said. “I don’t think she’s ever had to climb stairs before. She was using some rather colourful language, last I heard.”

There was a crash from beside us as Cassandra and Lydes continued their fight.

“So…what’s with the baby?” he said, peeking around the pillar.

“It’s the ‘relic.’ Lydes is trying to kill it.”

“Howscandalous.Gods, I can’t stand hypocrites.” He pressed my sword into my hands, eyes glittering. “Let’s murder them.”

He vanished, and I turned, grateful to feel the comforting weight of my sword in my hand again.

I rounded the edge of the room, enjoying the fact I was not the centre of the fight for once. Lydes had just smashed the head off one of the Golems, and Cassandra was summoning another.

As her eyes slid to me and widened, I summoned the brightest orb I could muster.

Cassandra stumbled, blinking in the harsh light. This was it; I would not get another chance like this.

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