Page 104 of Blood So Brutal

Jessiah stood and sauntered over to me. I pressed my shoulder against a tree, trying my best to look casual. Bored. Unaffected by the events of the last day.

“How are you holding up?” he asked.

“I’m surviving.”

Jessiah had at least been wearing his sword when the attack went down. At least he had that to protect himself with. I only had a small dagger, as did Huntyr.

Hells, we wereseverelyunprepared.

“And Huntyr?”

He turned to glance at her. She still murmured quietly.

“What about Huntyr?”

“Is she doing okay with all of this? That attack was unexpected.”

I surveyed his words and tried to find any hint of accusation beneath them, but there was nothing there, nothing but genuine concern.

“She sure as hells was not expecting Rummy to be dragged here as collateral. And Lord…” I stopped myself before my anger took over.

Jessiah eyed me. “I take it he wasn’t exactly a kind and loving caretaker?”

I coughed a laugh. “Something like that, sure.”

The two of us stood there by the tree, a wave of unsaid words hanging between us. I wanted to tell him about the attack. I wanted to tell him about my plan, about Huntyr, about everything. But even if I wanted to, there was no way we weregetting away from Asmodeus, Luseyar, and Lord long enough. They could hear every damn word, and that was something I wouldn’t risk.

Soon enough. Soon, he would learn the truth, and I prayed to the goddess he would be on my side.

We stood there for a few more moments until Lord stormed into view, eyes locked on the girls. “What did I say about obeying my orders?”

Chapter 39

Huntyr

With the harsh snap of Lord’s words, I was back in Midgrave, back in that crumbling house. Back at his mercy.

How many times had I given in? How many times had I let him strike me, let him paint me as weak and unworthy?

It all happened so damn fast.

Rummy scrambled away as Lord marched in my direction, fist raised.

Normally, I would have shut my eyes and braced myself. I would have awaited whatever punishment Lord thought I deserved, because he knew best. He always knew what I needed, and he was the one who saved my life, who raised me out of the goodness of his heart.

But that all changed.

I no longer looked at Lord as my savior, but as my enemy. He was working withthem, the evil angels who corrupted The Golden City, who wanted to take over Scarlata Empire.

No. I wouldn’t put up with that anymore.

Lord raised his hand to strike me, but I moved faster. I pulled Venom from the sheath at my thigh—grateful for the long cut in my dress—and sliced at his shins.

He lost his balance and stumbled, but before he could regain his position on solid ground, I launched Venom up at his torso.

And pushed.

Blood sprayed as Lord stumbled into the running water of the river.

---