Page 115 of The Stolen Kingdom

The explosion sent Valda flying, knocking over a group of Vulcanian soldiers, who gathered to watch. As the smoke cleared, a charred Kenna strolled toward Valda.

“You forget heat, blasts, and fire cannot harm me, Valda.”

Valda hissed as she put some weight on her injured arm and stood up. “The explosion could’ve left you slightly deaf.”

Kenna scrunched her nose and tilted her head. “What?”

“Exactly… slightly deaf.” Valda scoffed and pointed at her own ear.

Kenna spat at the ground and stood, spreading her legs wide and hunching. “Shooting position!”

The soldiers surrounding her pulled their bows.

“Nock!” Kenna bellowed.

The soldiers anchored the arrow with the bow.

“Aim!” Kenna yelled, pulling the ax free from the scabbard. Holding it with both hands, Kenna reached back, ready to throw the weapon.

Valda let out a loud sigh, closed her eyes, and swallowed hard. Maris was about to feel the severed connection… and she couldn’t do anything about it.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle drowned Kenna’s last command. An arrow dug into the ground while another arrow lodged itself in her right thigh. Kenna fell to one knee, grabbed the arrow, and pulled it out.

The throng of Vulcanians looked around them, as if trying to figure out where the arrow came from. Then they moved away just as a wild horse charged through.

“The cat said it’s time to go!” Isen said, Cerberus peeking her head from his lap and looking down at Valda. He stretched his arm and Valda took it, pulling herself on the horse.

“Go, go, go!” she screamed, wrapping her good arm around Isen’s waist just as he lit up one bomb with a cigar. Isen threw the rounded bomb to one crate and fled, just as chaos and explosions ensued.

Valda turned on the horse just in time to watch Kenna take control of the fire. Creating a whirlwind, the woman conducted the fire, dragging it up to the sky until it disappeared. Valda was completely mesmerized by the woman’s power.

Suddenly, Valda slammed her face against Isen’s shoulder as he pulled on the horse’s reins. Before Valda could ask what was wrong, Isen jumped off the horse and pressed his face to a dirty window. Cerberus didn’t leave the horse, turning to look at her owner.

“Isen! What are you doing? We have to go!”

“It’s Eyphah.” Isen’s breath shuddered.

“Eyphah?” Valda asked, grabbing the horse’s reins and turning to look behind them.

Already Vulcanians were heading their way, ready to finish what Kenna started. Narrowing her eyes to the window, Valda saw Eyphah lying on a platform. She had a bloody cloth on her head and her face appeared bruised. Her breathing was shallow. But she was breathing. She was alive.

Valda gritted her teeth, trying to make the right decision as gallops and angry barbarians headed their way. “Isen—”

“I can’t leave her here! She is my sister, for Poseidon’s sake!” Isen said, his voice breaking as he ran to the broken-down door. He pulled his sword from the scabbard and slammed the handle. He kicked the door open and marched right in.

Valda cursed under her breath, jumped off the horse, patted her shoulder, and Cerberus hopped on her instantly. The thunder of the gallops was upon them, deafening.

Isen looked down at his sister, his hand cupping her cheek. He breathed out, relieved to find her breathing. “Eyphah!” He called to her, tapping her face a bit too aggressively.

Eyphah opened her eyes, her mouth parting to release a distressed whimper. Isen grabbed her arm, making her holler in pain.

“Stop! Stop!” she begged, her eyes widening as Isen tried to wrap her arm around his shoulder.

“We must get you out of here, Eyphah! You are not safe here!”

“Where—” Eyphah turned to Valda, just as she moved to the other side and grabbed her other arm.

Cerberus jumped off as she settled Eyphah’s arm over her shoulder. Holding onto Eyphah’s belt, Valda pulled her to a standing position. “We are in hostile territory, and your brother wants you out. Let’s go!” Ignoring Eyphah’s anguished yell, Valda and Isen pulled her to the house entrance.

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