Page 64 of A Sky of Storms
“Run along peasant,” she said, waving her fingers dismissively. Patronising, usurping bitch. “You have ten minutes to get out of my sight or we’ll come for you. And next time? You won’t be breathing when I’m done with you.”
“You think my people are going to let you take over?” I shouted up at her, each word sending excruciating pain through my chest.
“Who do you think let me in?” she called back, her horrible laugh echoing. “Tick-tock, Red, you’re running out of time.”
I was stuck between a rock and an entitled bitch. Groaning, I rolled to the side and got to my feet. Taking a few breaths, I walked away as best I could without limping or holding any injuries. I refused to give Victoria the satisfaction, but I swore I’d get revenge.
Everything fucking hurt and I was starting to think that I would die out in the marshes if I didn’t find shelter soon. It had begun raining about half an hour after leaving my tower and now I was soaked through. It turned out, it was over Flynn’s body, not mine, that Victoria would take what I’d built. The sky was darkening, and soon I’d no longer be fuelled by my anger towards her. I could already feel it waning, the rain washing away my energy.
The monsters would be out soon and then I’d be royally fucked, and not in the way I’d been planning to be by the end of the year.
Victoria Auger was at the top of my shit list and she owed me payment in blood for taking my tower, my people, and worst of all, for murdering Flynn. The guy didn’t deserve that shit. He was my right-hand man, and he was supposed to be by my side when this was all over, like he had been since we were kids. I’d rip Victoria apart limb from limb. I used to think she was a competitor, but now she was simply my enemy. I’d made it my mission to destroy her.
I stumbled over some wet rocks, falling to one knee with a growl as mud soaked through my jumpsuit. I couldn’t keep going like this. I searched for any sign of which way to head. I had no idea where I was going, which was bad. I had no plan beyond payback and I wouldn’t be able to do that if I got eaten by some giant flying bat or other fucked up monster out here.
I spotted the top of a stone tower through the rain in the distance, a grin spreading on my face. Flynn must have been watching over me. The guy would have wanted me to seek vengeance for his murder and take the crown. Being shot out of a window was a hiccup—a blip that wouldn’t stop me from doing just that. I was going to make my parents proud, make the people of the Crimson Steppes proud … make Flynn proud.
Victoria was a part of that plan now. Her death would be mighty.
Hobbling more than I’d like to admit, I made my way through the trees and mud towards the tower. There were a couple of Potentials standing guard, but they were no match for me. I was a big guy and, yes, I was injured, but I hadn’t come this far in life without learning to be stealthy when I needed to. Before choosing this place to rebuild my strength, I needed to suss it out. Getting caught in another fight wasn’t ideal and I hated to admit it, but I needed rest. I slipped past the guards as they made their rounds of the perimeter and as I drew closer, I could hear muffled voices from within. I waited, looking around and deciding whether I wanted to go through with seeking sanctuary or if I should just find my own space. Then the sound of one voice in particular had all thoughts of being on my own fall away.
I banged on the door and my brows rose to find Zane answering it with Twiggy peering over his shoulder. Since when did those two become allies?
“You look like shit,” Zane said with a whistle. He held a sword out and pressed the tip to my chest. Not hard enough to pierce but the threat was there. “What happened to you?”
“Victoria,” I grumbled. “Let me in, Tadpole.”
“No fucking way,” Ace said, holding the door with his bionic hand to stop it from opening further. “This could be a set up. I’m not showing you my back, only for you and your little followers to stick a knife in it.”
“He makes a good point,” Zane said, nodding like a bobble head stuck in a car. “Also, tadpoles are freshies, dude, I’m from the sea.”
“Same shit,” I huffed.
“Nah, dude,” he replied with a pout. “They’re—”
“Stop distracting the merman. You’re not coming in,” Ace said, cutting Zane off. “Shut the door.”
Zane lowered the sword and started to shut the door in my face, but I quickly slammed a hand into the wood, holding it open. I hated being so desperate; my pride was taking a fucking beating today. When I spoke, my words came out strained. “Wait. Fuck, I’ll get eaten out here.”
“I see no problem with that,” Ace said with a mocking grin.
A growl rumbled from my chest. “I can help you.”
“What makes you think we want your help?” Fallon asked, stepping into my line of sight.
I puffed up my chest. “I’m strong.”
“You don’t look very strong right now,” Zane pointed out. “More like a goldfish after a spin in a washing machine.”
“Once I heal, I’ll be strong,” I said through gritted teeth. The rain continued pouring on me and I couldn’t help the shiver it sent through me.
“I assume you want our meds and food too then?” Ace stated.
“It’s a small price to pay,” I replied.
“Let me think,” Fallon said, tapping her chin. “No. We don’t trust you.”
“Do you trust Twiggy?” I asked, pointing at Ace.
