Page 97 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
They release an extremely acidic liquid,she explained, fighting not to arch and maintain her nerves as the mandibles brushed at her center.If we attack it, it will expel the liquid.
Did you say to attack the creature that is confined with us and could kill us at any second? someone said.
She bit her tongue as the creature continued to explore her, its slimy skin coating her body, its spindly legs roving over her bare flesh and most vulnerable parts.If we direct the acid toward the part of the coffin above the top of our heads, it should melt the wood enough for us to break out without it completely caving in on us. Then we can dig our way to the surface.
Did you say dig?Neri asked. Someone’s heart was pounding.
Shit. Neri would have to hold her breath while digging and risked drowning in the surrounding dirt.
It’s all right.Aryana tried to project calm out to the others, and especially Neri. The deathworm had spun around, unable to burrow any further into her dress, falling out of the tear along her side andlatching onto her arm. She fought to stay still and not provoke it.As soon as I am out, I will come and help you.
And why should I believe that?Neri’s caustic voice came next.
You don’t have a better option,Jesir pointed out.
Gods, I wish I could burn the whole lot of you to ash,Neri thought.
Everyone, try to remain calm and wait for the right moment to strike,Pohan said.
Aryana laid still, even though adrenaline rushed through her body as the deathworm crawled toward her shoulder. She needed to move soon, otherwise it would attack from the others’ fear and trepidation.
Someone started screaming.It's got me. It's got me!
It hadn’t worked. This time she wasn’t prepared for the panic that ripped through her and caused her hands to shake and breaths to come uncontrolled. The deathworm reared its head, its mouth opening. There was no other choice. She lunged for it, grabbing it. The creature squealed and writhed, acid coming from its mouth. She tried to avoid it but hissed when her elbow went down and a searing ache jolted through her. She lifted it and slammed the thing into the side of the coffin, then pressed it up to the planks directly at the crown of her head where acid spewed out over the wood. The creature continued to fight, its sharp legs scratching Aryana’s arms. More acid issued forth. She felt the cries and pain of her fellow kalators. Was it working out for them or were they all dying?
The wood melted away in front of her. She snapped the deathworm’s neck and scrunched to the bottom of the coffin. Thecreature lay inert, unmoving.You need to kill it. Break its neck, she struggled to send through the rushing emotions and fear.
When the panic died down, Aryana ventured out with her thoughts.Who’s still here? Neri?
I’m here, though nice and burned.
I can’t believe that worked,Jesir said.
I am present,Pohan said.
She waited, but nobody else sounded off. Only Aryana and three others remained.
The trial council really didn’t care if the kalators were there to protect their champions or not. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have separated them from their fighters each time. Aryana and the others actually were only there for entertainment and to be killed off in the most horrific ways.
When the potency of the acid wore down and soaked through the wood, she extended a hand to test it. The wooden boards gave under her hands. She pulled them back, and the dirt poured in and she waited for it to stop as the force equaled itself out. She let out a long breath and projected her thoughts once again.Time to dig.
Chapter 30
Zarathos
Every muscle in Zarathos’s body cried in protest as he stepped into the arena. Demons roared and shouted, setting him on high alert. They certainly were worked up over something.
He ground his teeth, resisting the urge to rub his aching bicep. A chill had settled there, a silent alarm. His vampire princess faced danger. He'd mustered up enough energy to get his armor on before the guards had brought him to this killing field, and yet he couldn't help but think of Aryana in her shredded dress, armor-less and vulnerable. Every instinct screamed at him to act. But instead, he had to appear calm and composed, when all he wanted was to destroy whatever threatened her.
Guards and demon soldiers Zarathos didn’t recognize stood in a large semi-circle around the periphery. That was new. He scanned the arena, noting the odd mounds off to the side. Yet the figures kneeling in the center of the arena, commanded his attention. Each one had a knapsack pulled over their head. He did a quick count. Eight. One for each contestant.
His gaze fixated on the figure in the middle. He could tell they had a slight female form. Each of the figures wore a large burlap sack for clothes. That slight figure in the center had a ZA painted on her. Oh gods, what was happening?
“Welcome to the second round of the Demon Trials,” the announcer shouted out with his magically enhanced voice. “The second necessary trait for a ruler is to put his kingdom before all else. Our champions will prove that today by the sacrifice they are willing to make.”
Zarathos’s mouth had gone dry. The weight of the sword belted to his waist felt like a boulder dragging him down.
“As such,” the announcer continued, “we have gathered those known to have a special relationship with each of our champions. In order to move on, they must kill the one they find here to prove their commitment.”
