Page 44 of The Shadow Path
Carys saw a dark-haired woman stab a rocky-skinned troll in the belly. The troll bellowed and fell back, gripping its stomach where the rough blade was buried. The body twitched and spasmed, and the woman bent down, yanking at the chain that bound her ankle to the troll’s.
The old bronze wouldn’t give way. Angry tears streamed down her dirty cheeks, and she screamed in frustration.
“Dru!” Carys pulled on his arm, pointing to the crying woman.
The tall fae paused, scowling as he looked between the woman and Carys.
“We have to help her.” What would happen to her if her troll captor survived?
And what if he didn’t?
Dru dragged Carys to the flaming market stall, then rolled the limp body of the troll over before he brought his silver sword down across the troll’s ankle.
There was a sick thunk, a red spurt of blood, and the knobby foot detached while the body remained still.
“Come on.” Dru pulled Carys away from the woman, who slipped her chain from the bloodied stump, hiked up her skirts, and ran.
“Can she be punished?”
“Not by human authorities.” Dru dodged a low-flying group of pixies that swooped down the center of the lane. “Slavery like that is illegal.”
Carys looked around the market and noted all the humans and magical creatures in chains. “Doesn’t seem too secret though.”
“There are more illicit activities happening tonight because of the coronation.” Dru used the pommel of his sword to bash in the face of a gnarled creature who limped toward them with murder in his eyes. “The Kingsguard is occupied closer to the palace. Stay close to me.”
Nêrys, where are you?
Dru is taking me to the bridge. Stay where you are; I can see you from here.
Dru’s grip on her wrist never wavered, not even when a scream came from behind them.
Carys spun around just in time.
A scale-cheeked troll barreled toward them with a raised axe. “Ya weaselly, murderin’ fae bastard!”
“Dru!”
Carys yanked her arm away and Dru released her, bringing his hand up, his palm glowing with flashing blue light as the troll attacked.
Dru’s silver blade clashed against the axe, and a glinting magic pulse slammed against the troll, punching him back, but not before the edge of his axe sliced across Dru’s jaw.
“No!” Carys was still in a ball gown and had no weapons on her, but she reached for the shorter silver blade she saw at Dru’s waist, yanking it from its scabbard as Dru fell.
“Carys!” Someone in the distance bellowed her name.
It sounded like Duncan or Lachlan, she couldn’t tell which.
She jumped on the troll, who had fallen to the ground with the force of Dru’s magic, and didn’t hesitate to plunge the dagger into his shoulder. The blade found purchase, and blood sprayed across her cheek. The troll bellowed and threw his burly armsaround her, trying to crush her on his chest, but two hands gripped her ankles and dragged her from its grip.
She scrambled to her feet and ripped off a piece of her gown, running on adrenaline as she pressed the dirty cloth to Dru’s bleeding jaw and shoulder.
“I’m fine!” He grabbed at the rumpled lace.
“You’re hurt!”
“Leave me and run to Cadell!” Silver blood soaked his jaw and neck. “Carys, you have no weapons. Run!”
The chaos was growing, and she heard trumpets in the distance.
