Page 53 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

“We’re trying,” Tharan said through a clenched jaw.

The slap of a tentacle sounded below, spraying me with water. The creature failing to retake me. I didn’t dare look down, but I could feel the monster rising to the surface. The sound of water running off something significant echoed through the cavern.

I focused on the flickering torch, trying to regain my breath.

Above, Caiden created a ball of lightning between his hands.

“Shut your eyes, Aelia,” he said, expanding the size of the orb.

I did as he commanded, but not before taking one last look at the monster hunting me. The light grew larger and larger in the creature’s black eyes until the two collided, sending a wave of energy throughout the chamber.

The kraken howled and thrashed in the water until taking one final death roll. Silence surrounded us once more. Its massive body floated lifelessly.

The men pulled me onto the narrow land bridge. Water dripped from my heavy skirt. I dug my fingers into the dirt, gasping for breath, while saying a silent prayer of thanks to Ammena for saving my life.

“Are you okay?” Caiden said, kneeling, patting my back, attempting to get the water out of my lungs.

“Just… give… me… a… minute.” I focused on the dirt between my fingers as the reality of what had occurred came crashing down upon me. I wanted to cry, but no tears came as a knot I couldn’t untangle twisted in my chest.

“We have to go,” Tharan said in a voice as hard as adamant. The torch flickered in his green eyes. His gaze focused on something behind us. “They’re coming.”

Through the darkness, the light of a single torch came into view.

“Gideon’s men?” I asked.

“Worse.” Tharan pulled his sword from its sheath. “Cave trolls. Can you run?”

I nodded, feeling returning to my limbs. “I think so.”

My heart raced as Tharan cut my heavy skirt off. The fabric fell into the black water below. With it went any protection I had.

“Caiden will lead us. Aelia will go next, and I will follow.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Tharan dropped his torch into the water.

Massive white trolls appeared at the other end of the narrow land bridge.

The creatures sniffed the air, tasting our scent. Fucking cave trolls—smelly beasts without eyes who lived off the organisms in the rocks but had a taste for blood should the opportunity present itself. Notoriously hard to kill because of their armor-like outer shells. Leading the army of blind beasts was a goblin with batwing ears and beady black eyes.

My breath hitched in my throat at the sight.

“Run,” Tharan said.

We took off across the land bridge into complete darkness. I could barely make out Caiden’s silhouette as we made our way through the circuitous tunnels of the cave. An army of trolls marching behind us. Their heavy footsteps shook the earth beneath our feet.

Caiden swore under his breath.

“What is it?” I asked, trying my best to keep my voice steady.

“It’s narrow up here. I think we’ll have to go one at a time. When you get through, sprint to the mouth of the cave. The trolls won’t dare cross into the forest.”

A jagged crevasse cut like a scar against the smooth rock. Inhaling deeply, I maneuvered my body into the gap. Rough stone scraped my face as I made my way through.

Rays of sun shone through, beckoning me forward, while the sound of clashing swords reminded me of the danger lurking behind us.

“Keep going,” Tharan yelled loud enough for me to hear.

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