Page 128 of Oathborn
And where was Javen? Had he traveled to the fae isles themselves? Surely, not to desert Rhydonia. To seek revenge against the Queen?
“What’s going on?” he called, but there was no answer on the radio.
A flutter of fabric caught Tobias’s eye. The stranger had sprinted off, the cloak hood falling off in his haste, revealing a flash of red hair like flame in the darkness.
The little carved toy lay forgotten on the grass.
Chapter fifty
Zari
In the grotto, the water lapped at the stones around where she and Javen stood, their blades locked. Aside from her own labored breathing, Zari heard nothing else. Nothing except the siren whisper inside her mind.
Little mortal, how brave you are. I think you will serve my goals well indeed.
Yansin’s stories of the Crescent Blade’s speaking to its wielder had seemed so fanciful, but now she held the legendary blade and found she had little choice but to believe in those tales.
You should,the sword purred. The best stories are always true.
Zari gritted her teeth. She had no choice but to make another deal with another magical being, and this time, had to hope it would go more smoothly than the one she’d struck with Tivre.
Teach me, she thought.And I will believe in you.
Teach? No. I offer something far greater than knowledge. I offer power, limitless, wild, incredible power. Only offer me your life, and all shall be yours.
Sudden, sharp pain flared on her neck again. Fighting back a whimper, she braced herself for Javen’s next attack. Except he stood half-frozen, fury blossoming on his face. He was bleeding. She’d not landed a single hit on him, but the crisp collar of his white shirt was stained red. More blood welled up from marks like scratches on his neck.
The ghostly memory of the Queen’s nails carving into Zari’s skin made her shudder.
“Give up,” Javen said. “This began before you. It will end without you.”
With her back to the statue, there was nowhere further she could go to retreat. When she blocked his next strike, he didn’t let up, forcing her sword lower. Zari’s arm shook, pain radiating down from her wrist, until finally, her arm went limp. Javen’s sword pushed her own blade against her shoulder. The blunt impact of metal against muscle made her scream.
Still, the voice whispered.
Bind yourself to me.
Zari shook her head, not liking the sound of that at all.
I am Tide-puller, Blood-taker, Night-splitter. The blade of the goddess. Give me your life, and I will give you my power.
Desperate, Zari dug her nails into the wound on his neck. Javen hissed in pain, startled enough that the blade stopped its downward cut. Holding a hand to where she’d broken skin, he glared at her, his blue eyes burning like wildfire. He shoved her hard with his free shoulder, and she collapsed against the base of the statue, smacking her head against the stone. Stars blossomed behind her eyes.
“Captain?” a voice asked, fuzzy and distant.
She whipped her head, turning to search for the speaker, only for the realization to hit her in a sickening blow. It was Tobias’s voice, but on the radio. The kind, helpful soldier was far from here. Still. If she could get up, if she could pass a message to him, make him realize what a madman the captain was…
Pushing herself to her feet, she took a step forward. Javen’s free hand was on the radio call button. Now was her chance. “Help!” she screamed.
Fury burning in his eyes, Javen dropped the radio.
“Tobias, please!” she called, desperately hoping the radio call wasn’t disconnected.
Not him, me,the ethereal voice said.I will help you.
Javen reached for the radio on his belt. Zari tried to scream again, only for her hoarse voice to break into a muffled cry. The sword dropped fromher weary fingers. None of her muscles obeyed her wishes. She knew what it meant from a purely clinical viewpoint. She was going to die.
Unless…
