Page 275 of The Lands Defying
The guards on the battlements shout for archers, but I sense the pulse of magic behind me, knowing the blood witches are about to unleash their power.
The lever-puller draws his sword, his face twisted in anger as we clash, my own blade coming up to meet his.
The crowd screams as they disperse, trying to get away from what is now a battle as the guards shout in alarm. I send magic behind me, and with a push to the male before me, I turn and see more porting in.
“Anna!” I shout, turning and slicing into the speaker’s belly.
“Got it.” I see her raise two hands toward where the women are captured, and the guards there suddenly tense up, their bodies rigid.
Runa pounces on a guard closing in on me, and I run a hand over her side in thanks, sending out a pulse of power to knock down two more coming our way up to the platform.
“Go, now,” I say to Josh and Taylor when I spot them, and they rush forward to those who were hung, cutting through their bound hands.
Screams sound next, and I look to where Anna and Belldame stand in front of the captured women, the guards screaming as blood pours from their mouths, their eyes bulging as they cry bloody tears.
I jump down and two wolves pass next to me, heading for the guards who just ported in and they lunge, teeth ready as they dig into them. Hudson’s wolf is larger than Colten’s, and even though he’s fighting, he takes a protective stance for Colten, making sure he’s safe.
I grab my own blade and move forward to the gates. If we can get the innocents out the way, the witches can blast through it.
Another guard comes at me, swords drawn and I block his first attack, pushing back so he’s on the defense and as he trips overa body on the ground, I stab through the side of his neck, not waiting for him to drop before continuing onto the next.
“Rhea!” Taylor shouts, and my head snaps his way, pushing back a guard and wrapping my magic around his legs, once again sending him to the floor.
Blood pours from his mouth, and I look up and find a few blood witches, their faces hidden by cloaks but their hands swirling with power.
Taylor points up to the battlements, and I follow his gaze.
Fuck.
“Cover!” I scream while raising my hands up, frantically spreading a barrier out above me as far as I can.
Arrows rain down in the hundreds, some on fire and sweat beads on my brow as they hit the barrier, my legs trembling under the weight of it.
I spot some of the villagers that I rescued as they run toward me, trying to get to cover but it’s too late. Arrows pierce their bodies, even the Highers’s guards are hit, proving they have no ministration for their own.
Gritting my teeth, I straighten my legs that try to buckle under the weight of the attack, a scream coming from me as I send as much strength as I can to hold them.
Another guard comes for me andfuck, if I defend myself the barrier will drop.
“You fucking bitch!” he shouts at me, his sword pulled back to ram me, but he’s tackled to the side, Josh stabbing him as he quickly stands again to protect me.
“Thanks,” I breathe.
“Concentrate.” I nod, holding the barrier as another wave of arrows come.
The fighting never ceases under my protective net, it ripples, dancing just above everyone’s head as more blood is spilled.
I whimper as my knees give way, but I keep my arms straight, kneeling in the snow as I growl. Not much longer now, come on come on.
The arrows finally let up, and the barrier drops as I get to my feet, breathing ragged.
“Good job,” Josh says, and I nod, swallowing over my dry throat.
“I need to clear a path to the gate,” I tell him as we both head into the fray. “I’ll call the witches once it is clear—"
“Loose,” someone shouts, and my eyes widen, heart stopping.
“Gods,” I breathe, as another set of arrows comes. How many do they have ready! “Take cover!” I scream over the fighting. I widen my stance, my hands glowing as I once again cast a barrier while Josh protects me.
