Page 115 of Queen of Thorns
I grab Rev’s forearms and pull him toward the closest tree trunk. The water is already pulling back toward the lake, and we really don’t want to be any closer to the warring titans.
My fingers dig into the thick bark, and I pull myself up on the nearest branch. The needles of the pine sting, but I ignore the pain and embrace the discomfort. Rev winces, breathing through clenched teeth, but he joins me on the branch just feet from the sediment-filled water.
A ground-shattering scream tears through the air, and my blood runs cold. I twist to see one of the Night Terror’s branches breaking through the Light King’s chest and reaching out the other side. My eyes widen, watching in horror at what has to be a killing blow.
The Light King rears back in writhing pain.
“We will not bow to mortal rulers!” the Night Terror screeches.
Rev’s arms reach around my waist and pulls me in close as we watch the horrific scene. Our only hope is moments from being torn apart.
Like an atom bomb detonated, the world explodes in light, with only a high pitch ringing to accompany it. I hold on tight to Reveln, pressing my eyes close as the power slams into us.
We fall from the tree, grasping, desperately trying to keep a hold of each other if only to die in each other’s arms.
Rev
Caelynn is ripped frommy arms by the force of the waters. My back stings, my mind is overwhelmed by the rush of chaos. I still can’t see anything but bright light.
There are more unnatural screams and screeches in the distance, but it’s impossible to tell what’s happening. All I know is that my body was frozen the moment I saw her beady eyes and talon branches.
The Night Terror is the stuff of all my nightmares. Caelynn is most terrified of the Night Bringer, the shadowy void, but it was the female monster that tortured me in the Schorchedlands, and my body has not forgotten.
I kick back to the surface, but my vision is still peppered by white spots, eyes unable to refocus on the world around us. I can hear nothing but the high-pitched ringing.
I pant, spinning around, desperately searching for Caelynn in the turmoil.
Another scream pierces the air, and I turn back toward the ancients. I blink rapidly, trying to clear the remnants of shock from my vision. At first, all I can see is a massive head flying through the air. My eyes widen, heart freezing mid-beat.
Glowing red liquid flows from the decapitated head.
Then, I see the body of a giant female fall limp out in the middle of the lake. My heart resumes it’s beating. The Lady of the Lake has met her end.
Not bad news, I tell myself.Not bad news.
The Light Ancient and the Night Ancients clash again, and I watch helpless, barely able to focus on treading water. “You will die today,” the Light King yells as he slams into the shadowy void again and again. “Just as you should have died all those years ago.”
