Page 134 of An Archer's Redemption

Before Atikus could respond, a bright flare lit up the far end of the hall. We watched as the echo of its light streaked the length of the aisle, then struck something.

Sounds erupted a heartbeat after the light blazed.

The sickening sound like a melon splattering against a wall.

A blood-chilling scream that lingered before dwindling to nothing.

The maddened screech of a woman in the throes of her own wrath.

Atikus and I braved another glance and stared, transfixed.

Blood and gore splattered across the polished marble before the dais.

Smoke curled from what must have been a body moments earlier.

A man in a black coat held a crown, his eyes fixed on a point at the far end of the chamber. I followed his gaze, and my throat clenched.

“Irina’s down there. She just ducked behind a column,”I said without turning.

“What the—”Atikus startled as he ducked behind the banister.

Another battle erupted below.

I was at once sickened and fascinated.

“Should we attack now while he’s distracting her?”I asked.

“No, let him wear her down. Whoever survives will be weaker when they face us.”

When the man fell and Irina stood with the crown in her hand, Atikus rose to a crouch.“Now it’s time. You go to the right side; I’ll take the left. Hit her with everything you’ve got.”

Chapter 58

Irina

Danai’s carcass smoldered.

The ungrateful thorn had festered beneath my skin for a thousand years.

I was free.

I looked down at the crown in my hand,mycrown.

The diamonds pulsed their steady rhythm, as if welcoming their mistress home. I grinned and placed the golden band carefully on my head.

A wave of white-hot power rippled through my body.

I turned to exit the chamber, eager to walk the halls of my former home once more, when the sound of leather slapping against marble snapped my head around.

The manfrom the candle shopstood twenty paces to the side of the dais, thesameman who’d attacked me at the Well. While his appearance startled me, it wasn’t the man himself or his strangely swirling eyes that drew my attention most; it was thesolid-gold tunic emblazoned with the Phoenix on his chest that arrested my breath.

It glowed brighter than the fire I’d just thrown at Danai.

The man took a step forward and threw out a hand.

I threw up a shield of air.

The man’s attack pressed me backward but couldn’t penetrate my defenses.

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