Page 30 of Queen of Legends and Lies
It finds its mark. The leader crumples, falling to their death on the rocks below.
Then, almost as one, the others surge toward us with renewed frenzy, scrambling up the mountain.
I notch another arrow.
My movements are a fluid, practiced dance of death. I’ve been proficient with a bow since I was a child.
Steadying my breathing, I draw, release, and draw again.
The bowstring sings a lethal lullaby.
No matter where I point, the shaft finds a target among the encroaching horde. Eventually, I run out of arrows.
“Use your magic!” Agnar shouts as he summons roots to trip the attackers. A few fall. Most keep coming.
He doesn’t have to tell me twice. The molten core of my power geysers upward.
Flames lick my fingers, spiraling into funnels that scorch the night and force back those who dare to approach.
The corrupted hiss, darting to the sides.
Beside me, Agnar gestures, his broad hands shaping the very mountain beneath us, commanding it to obey. Stones dislodge, gathering momentum as they cascade down the narrow path, crushing dozens under their weight.
Boulders become Agnar’s army.
More follow, and through sheer will, he crafts an avalanche of destruction, each impact a testament to his strength.
Above us, Kaida and Mygist circle. While they agreed not to land, they never said they wouldn’t fight.
Firey death pours from their maws as the dragons unleash their fury.
Bodies drop like flies.
Yet for each one we fell, three more take their place.
“Gods above and below.” My heart’s racing, and my fingers are already worn. “How many did Xenon send? Is there another wave coming?”
I risk a glance at Agnar.
His piercing blue eyes mirror my determination. Together, we stand against the night, two warriors bound by loyalty andthe desperate need to protect our kingdom from this ever-advancing corruption.
“Guessing tears won’t help here?” Agnar’s voice cuts through my sizzling fire. “Ya know, to cure them so they fight on our side instead?”
“I’m too angry to cry,” I manage to yell back, even as I hurl another fireball at a corrupted who’s gotten way too close for comfort. Truth is, my body—dehydrated for some unfathomable reason—cries out for moisture, but not a single teardrop could save this multitude anyway. “Even if I could, there’s way too many of them.”
I would have to cry a river to cleanse this throng.
Cold fingers wrap around my ankle, yanking me down, and I hit the ground hard.
The breath leaves my lungs in a whoosh as I gape at the black-eyed face that once belonged to a person. Still a person. Just not in their right mind.
Panic erupts and takes over.
Without thinking, I flex my wings, trying to push myself away from my assailant. The unnatural motion causes sharp pain to burst through them, indicating I’ve strained or torn a muscle.
Agnar’s by me in an instant, pulling me away as I kick my attacker in the throat. The man, who’s dressed in basic homespun like a farmer might wear, falls back down the cliff he’d scaled to reach us.
“Thanks!” I scramble to my feet as Agnar summons his magic again.
