Page 100 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“I can take away his pain,” he said.

She nodded, sniffling as she held Tash’s hand. The noise of battle sounded, shouts and screams plaguing her ears, but she tuned it out and focused on comforting the hobgoblin

“Shhhh,” she said as she brushed his black hair from his face. “Focus on me. You’re okay now.”

Kai placed his hands on Tash and murmured under his breath. Tash’s breaths slowed as his face relaxed, now free from pain. He smiled as he stared off into the distance.

“Mom?” he whispered, looking at something that Ava couldn’t see.

Ava let out a sob as his breathing stilled and his eyes went glassy. She gently closed them with her fingers as Kai said a prayer to The Mother. He was gone.

Ava met eyes with Kai before searching for more injured to help. The warriors were still fighting but struggling to maintain control when a scream sounded to Ava’s right and she whipped her head to the source. Fanya.

The pock-marked faced soldier had Fanya backed into a corner and was swinging his sword in his hand, taunting her. Spotting a dead daemon, Ava jumped up and grabbed the ebony dagger from his belt and bolted to her friend, ignoring Kai’s warnings.

Finding an opening between his armor, she raised the dagger over her head and slammed it into his shoulder as hard as she could. He yelped and whipped around as Fanya ran to safety. When he saw who had stabbed him, he leered and yanked Ava by the hair.

“I was wondering when I’d get to play with you,” he said as he pulled her toward a dark corner beneath a tree.

Ava looked around for help but there was so much chaos, she could barely discern who was who. She tried to scream but among the snarls of the animals, shouts and clanging weapons, her voice was lost in the noise.

Still holding onto her hair, he shoved her against a tree. She tried to kick him, but he dodged her attempts and put his other hand on her throat, beginning to squeeze.

“Too bad I’m not allowed to kill you,” he said, leaning in close. “But Andras never said I couldn’t have a little fun before I brought you back.”

She screamed and clawed at his hand as his other gripped her waist, nails digging in through the fabric of her skirt. They wouldn’t be able to hear her. No one would know her fate and she’d be brought back to Andras and Deidamia to be tortured all over again. He leaned in and inhaled, groaning as he continued to press her against the tree and tightened his grip; enough to hurt but not enough to completely cut off her air.

“The smell of your fear is divine,” he whispered into her ear. He leaned back again and grabbed a dagger from his belt, holding it up in front of her face. “How should I play first?” he asked. “Maybe?—”

His words were abruptly cut off as an arrow pierced through his throat sideways. His eyes widened and a gurgle sounded, panic painted on his face. He stumbled back, choking on his own black blood and crumpled to the ground as he clutched his wound. After a few gasps, he stilled.

Ava looked to her right and her eyes landed on Raine, bow drawn and breathing heavily with fury in his eyes. The lively humor usually on his face had been replaced by pure rage. He’d saved her life. And he barely knew her.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

She shook her head, speechless and still shaking.

The remainder of their forces had arrived with a group ofhealers and were finishing off the last of the daemon soldiers while the healers tended to the wounded.

“Come on,” Raine said and led her back to where the rest of them were evaluating the aftermath. “Thanks for saving my sister,” he said.

Still in shock, Ava gave him a silent nod and he joined the rest of the soldiers who were cleaning up.

The battle was over, the sounds of weapons and shouts replaced by orders being given and moans of the injured. Dead daemon soldiers lay everywhere, along with half a dozen tavern customers who hadn’t been able to escape or fight back. Healers in robes walked through the aftermath, checking on each victim and assessing their wounds.

Ava’s chest tightened as she took in the scene, vision fading in and out. She tried to take deep breaths, but she couldn’t, as if there was a vice around her lungs and it kept squeezing. Sweat dripped down her brow as dizziness almost overcame her, causing her to sway on her feet. She was going to pass out.

“You’re having a panic attack,” said Kai, appearing beside her. “Sit down.” He pulled a chair out. “Put your head between your knees and try to slow your breathing.”

She did as he instructed. Voices sounded faintly around her, the murmurs and gasps of citizens reacting to the battle. Someone was giving orders on securing the city and disposing of the daemons’ bodies. But she couldn’t hear it clearly, like she was in a tunnel as she continued to try and take deep breaths.

They knew where she was and had sent creatures and soldiers after her. She thought she was safe in this city, but she was wrong. She wasn’t safe anywhere. And now her presence put their lives in danger as well.

Minutes later, breathing under control she sat up, wiping away her tears. Kai was squatting beside her with a cup of tea and handed it to her.

“Here. This will calm your nerves.”

“Thanks,” she said, her voice quiet as she took the tea with still shaking hands.

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