Page 38 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos
I don’t move. Am I meant to?
Unleash it all, destroy it all!
“Ah…” I groan, pulling at my hair.
Suddenly, the hiss seems louder, and through the darkening vision around me, I see one of the manananggals charging straight towards me.
I can kill it! All I need to do is let go of the reins on this storm within me, but I’m scared I’ll harm those around me.
Scared that I’ll hurthim.
I turn, seeing a black blur, and then a huge black wolf that moves faster than I can process, shoves me out of the way just as claws swipe through the air where I had been standing. A sharp, wet sound follows, and then the sound of flesh tearing and bones crunching.
Jayce lets out a harsh grunt, staggering back, and he’s forced to shift back. Blood darkens his shirt, seeping through his shirt. But even injured, he doesn’t stop. Taking out the two daggers, he braces his heels into the ground, aiming at the manananggal’s chest, twisting the blade viciously before tearing through it. The creature screeches as it falls backwards and then crashes to the ground, dead.
But Jayce sways.
He’s hurt.
“Jayce,” I choke out, guilt rushing through me. I finally move, reaching for him, but when those green eyes meet mine, they are colder than ice.
“Move,” he growls, his voice rough.
I step back, this time obeying, and stumble on something as Artemis rushes to his side, pulling off his jacket as he goes down on one knee, a hand pressed to his side.
“He was telling you to move!” Allison shouts at me as Shahirarushes forward, taking out her herbs and crystals, ready to perform a healing spell.
My mind spins as I look at the two dead monsters on the floor and the blood – Jayce’s blood.
I’m the reason this happened.
Fuck.
“The survivors are secured.”Renji’s voice comes. “We’re taking them to safety and dealing with a cover-up for those dead.”
“Both of you finish off, and then head back,” Jayce says, sweat beading his brow.
“I can take your bike, you take-” Ian begins.
“I’m fine,” Jayce cuts in.
“You’re not,” Artemis says.
“You need advanced medical care, you’ve lost a lot-” Shahira begins, only for Jayce to shut her up with one look.
“I said I’m fine. Let’s go.”
He won’t make it. I step forward; I know healing magic. “I can try-”
Jayce cocks an eyebrow. “I’d prefer it if you really didn’t try anything. You’ve done enough.”
My heart squeezes as the guilt crushes me, and I look down. Ashamed.
I failed.
The journey backwas silent. Jayce still returned on his bike, even though Renji tried to talk him out of it, but he didn’t listen. I stay quiet as I sit in my corner. Even when Himari keeps making jabs, I don’t respond.
The moment we get back to the Academy and the van door is slid open, I get out, only for Himari to push me aside as she shoves past me.
