Page 89 of Their Blood Rite

Archie’s hurt. I know it. I can hear it in that pain-filled cry he releases.

But I have my orders, and I’m not exactly in a position to help.

I push myself from the rock and sprint in the direction of the castle, limping as the hole in my side jars with every bit of movement. As I round a tree, a fist flies into my face, and I godown. I barely get to blink my senses back before I see a hooded man in a dark green cloak straddle me. A matching green mask covers his mouth, but I see his dark eyes. Cold and lifeless. Empty of compassion.

He slams his fist into my face.

Slam. Slam. Slam.

Content that I’m utterly done and defenceless, he tosses me over his shoulder and starts running into the woods.

My head and thoughts are a mess. I’m unable to get anything in order or under control. Something as simple as lifting my head or even screaming seems impossible. I lie there, limp and dangling over the stranger’s shoulder, knowing… I’m fucked. Archie is down. I’m down. And this man is skilled and ready to do whatever he needs to get me where he wants me.

And considering my list of allies is non-existent, I doubt that where he’s taking me holds anything good.

A little tickle travels up my arm. A slithering sensation.

Then, the man groans, starts to judder violently, and then drops me.

I land hard on the ground, slamming my shoulder mercilessly into the earth. I watch my would-be kidnapper, who is kidnapping me from my current kidnappers.

Blood falls from his eyes like tears. Black veins spread over his skin, and he grunts in pain, convulsing and gurgling. When he pulls his mask down, he vomits bloody bile and chunks of flesh. His insides are literally exploding from his mouth.

It's then I see my little snake friend, the Kedar, slither from his hood and return to me, wrapping around my wrist tightly.

‘Thank you,’ I whisper lovingly to my beautiful saviour.

Fighting the overwhelming urge to fall into a blissful state of unconsciousness, I get to my feet, stumbling and swaying like crazy, and try to get my bearings.

Which way is the castle? Where am I?

I have no idea.

I spit the pooling blood from my mouth and check my would-be kidnapper for anything of use. My fingers meet steel.

‘Why… thank you,’ I mutter, pulling out a dagger.

I hear Archie growl again from somewhere in the trees.

I haven’t a clue where I am. Archie’s instruction to make for the castle was about as helpful as telling me to sprout wings and fly.

I’m certain that this now very dead bastard with liquified insides isn’t alone. I daren’t take my battered and bleeding body deeper into the woods to be caught.

So, I run towards Archie’s growling.

I’m utterly lost. At least Archie will know where the hell we are.

My running is pathetic as I stumble and bump into trees and roots. I stop often to catch my breath and to stop the world from spinning.

Get it together, Ashe!I scorn myself, slapping my face when the edges of my vision start to dim.Now is not the time to pass out.

I carry on, stopping when I hear Archie howl furiously.

From somewhere in the distance, a shrill and high-pitched shriek sounds out.

When I round the corner of a large tree, I see Archie’s giant wolf form.

His front leg is trapped inside a massive metal instrument of claws, trapping and debilitating him.

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