Page 72 of Court of Lies and Deceit

It slams into them, catching them unawares, and throws them backwards towards where the Red Faction is standing. They crash into them, knocking over several of the people from the red team.

Draven gives me a nod. Then we’re running towards them.

We can’t let them trap us this far back in the corridor, we need to make both of their teams share the same tight space so that it will be harder for them to fight properly.

Screams of excitement echo from the crowd above, almost drowning out the dullwhump whumpsounds from the still violently spinning wall. The three remaining players from the Blue Faction are still trapped on the other side, trying to time a jump in through the gap before it closes again.

The Red Faction shoves away the members of the other team, who crashed into them. I quickly reach out with my magic, latching on to their anger and increasing it in order to make them fight each other instead.

Rage flares up in their eyes.

Draven and I skid to a halt on the sand right next to the flipping wall. We can’t move any farther down in case the three remaining people on the other side make it through. If they do, we can’t risk getting them behind us.

Steel sings in the air as a few members of the blue team draw swords while others call up magic. They glance from side to side, now caught between us and the Red Faction, as if they’re not sure who to fight first. I keep increasing the anger in the Red Faction members’ chests while Draven at last shifts into a half-shift.

Jocasta told us to keep it a secret for as long as possible that Draven can perform a half-shift. But if we’re going to hold off nine people on our own, we need every advantage we can get.

A gasp rips from the crowd above. And the shock is mirrored on the faces of our opponents.

Unfortunately, it also draws their attention away from each other.

Both teams stare at Draven with stunned expressions. Then malice seeps into their eyes.

The Red Faction flashes Draven a cruel smile and yanks something off their belts before flicking their wrists.

Whips crack through the air.

And Dravenflinches.

My heart stops.

Our enemies couldn’t see it because they’re standing too far away. And they don’t know Draven like I do. They don’t know about the torture that the Icehearts have put him through for years. But I do. And I saw it. I saw the Shadow of Death fuckingflinch.

And I decide then and there that I won’t let this happen. He has been through enough. He has sacrificed enough. Done enough. It’s time someone protectedhim, for a change.

My gaze darts around the corridor while plans spin through my head like a raging storm.

The Red Faction draws their whips back again and summons magic while the three members of the Blue Faction do the same but with swords instead. Draven starts taking a step forward.

I make a decision.

The moment that he is off balance from lifting his foot to take that step, I slam my entire body weight into his side. It catches him completely off guard, and he stumbles sideways. And right into the still spinning wall.

He cries out, in surprise or anger, I can’t tell, as the wall shoves him into the other corridor next to ours. The players on our side hesitate, staring at me in utter shock. But I’m alreadymoving. Sprinting over to the statue closest to the spinning wall, I place my palms against it and shove.

Through the brief gaps in the spinning wall, I can see Draven straightening on the sand. His golden eyes are wide with disbelief as he stares at me.

I topple the heavy statue.

It hits the sand with a thud, sending a cloud swirling up into the air. And the last thing I see before the wall is forced to slam closed against the statue now blocking its way, is Draven whirling around to block attacks from the three members of the blue team who remained in that corridor.

The crowd in the stands above us scream and clap, thoroughly entertained by this unexpected turn of events.

I turn towards the players blocking the corridor before me. Nine of them. Six members of the Red Faction and three from the Blue Faction. There is no chance in hell that I will ever win against all nine of them if they attack me at the same time.

But I don’t even care anymore.

No one will come near Draven with a whip ever again. I will burn down hell itself before I ever let that happen. He ismine.

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