Page 14 of Forged By Heart and Claws
Briar!Vad’s words pounded in my head.
Snarling, the guard kicked me in the side. “Die, shadow beast!” His heavy metal boot connected with my ribs and drove the breath from my lungs.
I snarled, then feinted right before lunging at his exposed thigh.I’m fine. Focus on your fight.
My teeth scraped metal. The rotten tastes of iron, sweat, oil, and blood filtered through my mouth. Still, I managed to grab hold and lock down on the armor, the metal cutting into my gums, and I shook my head violently. The man grunted and slammed the pommel of his sword into my skull.
Light exploded behind my eyes, and blood streamed down my face. I staggered and fell.
I’m coming!Vad’s voice echoed in my mind. I could barely see him through my closing eyelids, my blood thundering in my ears. Three guards were on him now, and he wielded one of the fallen spears, his wings lashing out and his gaze furious and desperate as he looked to me.
The swordsman advanced on me and lifted his sword. My body was too heavy to move, blood streaming from my wounds.
“Leave her alone!” Velessa darted next to me with an oil lamp in her good hand. She flung the lamp like a grenade, and it exploded over him, coating his armor and setting him ablaze. He staggered back, screaming and flailing. Thalen tackled him and shoved him against the balcony.
My eyelids sagged shut, my head still exploding and my ears ringing.
Velessa crouched down in front of me, her back to the southern hall. “Come on, Briar. Come on. Let’s get you?—”
A dark figure of a man lunged forward, and a silver sword erupted from Velessa’s chest. An armored glove clamped down on her shoulder... and he twisted the blade.
CHAPTER 4
Briar
Astrangled gurgle escaped Velessa’s throat.
She looked at the sword protruding from her chest. Her hands flew to the blade, fingers trembling as they grasped the dull sides uselessly. There would be no saving her.
The world spun, and my head throbbed, but somehow, my vision cleared. Thatbastardwould pay.
The metal-plated guard ripped the sword free and shoved Velessa forward. She slumped, her face in front of mine as the light faded from her eyes.
She was dead. And I hadn’t been able to protect her. But I could get revenge for her sake.
My throat tightened, and my claws scraped on the marble as I fought for traction. As the guard kicked Velessa’s body with his metal boot and lifted his sword toward me, I surged. But my paws slipped in the warm pool of blood from her chest, and I slid to the left, protecting my most injured side, which continued to throb and sting.
His sword missed me by inches, and then he kicked me in the chest. I flew backward, my back slamming against the wall, and dark edges lined my vision. The ringing in my ears intensified.Velessa’s blood—her death—coated my fur, and the copper scent had bile inching up my throat.
I dropped back to all fours, just as everything blurred and the floor moved under my paws.
Vad roared as his anger and fear slammed into our bond. He linked,I… way…”
Had my concussion impacted our bond?
I tried to leap, but the guard rushed forward and kicked my sternum. My body lifted, and he seized my throat and slammed me against the wall with even more strength than before. I couldn't breathe. My joints cracked as I clawed at his armored wrist, but my strength faded.
Horrified cries erupted throughout the chamber. Yuki shouted, “Velessa’s dead!” Her words echoed in my head like a funeral bell. And worse, I might be following in Velessa’s footsteps.
The guard's grip crushed my windpipe, and the edges of my vision darkened. My lungs burned, and I knew this had to be the end.
Suddenly, the guard's eyes bulged, and his grip loosened. I crumpled to the floor and gasped as he patted at the spear protruding from his neck. A dark arm struck him on the head, and he dropped with a loudthud.
Vad crouched beside me, his silver eyes glowing in the flickering gold lamplight and orange firelight. He lifted me into his arms. “Briar?”
I sucked in more air, and the world steadied. The burning in my lungs receded.
I linked,I’ll be fine. I just got stunned. I need a second.
