Page 107 of Kingdom of Today
I held my breath as we rounded the final corner. Two armed guards waited at every door. Eight in total. Very well. I cobbled together a plan. Rip out Nine’s wires, blow powder at everyone else.
Someone exited the temple beyond the hallway and strode in our direction. My spirit sank. Mr. Vyle. He wore a pristine, tailored suit and whistled under his breath, nothing like his blood-splattered future version.
My skin flushed hot with fury at the reminder. This man, this executioner, had sat, utterly unmoved, as Domino swung from the rafters toes up, bleeding to death.
Mr. Vyle’s gaze lit on me, and his gait slowed. Clearly he intended to have a conversation. I performed a quick calculation. If I proceeded full steam ahead, all of CURED would learn of my allegiance to Soal. Cyrus already knew, which meant Astan must know, though so far he’d chosen not to reveal it. Which didn’t seem like the god’s MO. Maybe he couldn’t tell? But also, maybe he could. Either way, if I did this, I would be labeled a worldswide traitor, and rightfully so. I’d be hunted. If I managed to survive the ensuing battle with the executioner, of course. And there would be a battle.
If I didn’t fight to reach Soal, Cyrus would wake up before I read my book and received instruction. Astan would seek a bond before I had a chance to help him. All could be lost.
Very well. So be it. Today, I stopped hiding. For Cyrus, I would do anything, even this.
Nine slowed and moved to the side, offering me a straight shot to Mr. Vyle.
“Hello, Lady Roosa.” The executioner adjusted his wrist cuff. “Might I inquire why you’re visiting the temple without Emperor Cyrus?”
Well, well. Mr. Vyle already considered Cyrus his leader.
“You may do so, yes.” Forget starting my opening strike with Nine. Mr. Vyle was the bigger threat. For all I knew, Cyrus had commanded the dog not to harm me for any reason. “I politely decline to answer.”
A flash of surprise crossed Mr. Vyle’s face. My cue. As Cyrus taught me, if battle is inevitable, strike first, strike hard, and strike fast. Up first, taking out as many opponents as possible.
I launched into action, sweeping the jewel of a ring aside and spinning, blowing powder in every direction. Multiple guards collapsed. Mr. Vyle stumbled several steps, but he didn’t fall.
With a flick of my wrists, the bracelets clicked into blades. I lunged and slashed. Contact. The tip sliced through the midsection of a guard, Mr. Vyle, then another guard. The soldiers crumbled, clutching gushing wounds, but again Mr. Vyle remained on his feet. His wound bled for a moment, but the flow ceased within seconds.
He drew back his arm, intending to punch me. A growling Nine jumped between us. Good boy.
Mr. Vyle paused. Comprehension lit his eyes a split second before his entire countenance changed. His features sharpened, and his pupils slitted with a glowing golden outline. Smoke curled from his nostrils, and black claws grew from his nail beds.
“Soalian,” he hissed, revealing a forked tongue.
Nine attacked, but Vyle shredded the metal beast in seconds. Realization and horror collided. Vyle hosted Bala, Astan’s pet.
With an inhuman roar, he launched at me. We slammed together, flying to the floor. Impact shoved air from my lungs. Pain and dizziness welled, but they dulled in a storm of adrenaline.
When Vyle swung a hard fist at my face, I rolled to the side. More stings flared and dulled as I twisted and kicked, punting him in the nose. Cartilage snapped, and blood spurted.
I clambered to my feet, and new guards swooped in, imprisoning me. Fingers pulled my hair, squeezed my biceps, and shackled my wrists.
Through some miracle, I fought free and dove for the door to the rift room. But Vyle spun in front of it and slapped me, raking thick, black claws across my cheek. Searing agony, faltering vision. He kicked and I flew into a wall, cracking stone. My brain rattled against my skull, and my lungs emptied again. Dizziness roared backin a thunderous whirlwind as adrenaline dwindled. How much longer could I hold him off?
As long as it takes.I was Soalian. I could do anything.
A sudden, unexpected tide of strength swept through my limbs, flowing from my bond to Domino. Power up, baby! I recovered quickly, stopping a subsequent strike. But Vyle was faster and stronger than feeders. It wasn’t long before his fist collided with my forearm, shattering bone.
Agony not even my bond to the librarian could dull. Black dots winked through my vision. Vomit readied.
Vyle drew back his elbow to deliver another strike. I moved to parry when a scowling robed man ghosted through him.
Domino whooshed inside me.Click.Instantly healed and running on pure, undiluted octane, I shot off like a rocket, attacking everyone within reach with a skill I’d never learned.
Unlike before, when I jumped between bodies, we remained connected, the librarian’s mind open to me and mine to him. Vyle must have sensed his presence; he backed off, giving the guards a chance to subdue us.
Where have you been?I bellowed inside my head.
Through the bond, he heard.
If you knew half the things I had to do to get here ...His growly words filled my head, an all-consuming tide drowning my anger.
