Page 97 of The Cerulean Sister
The second set of steps gets louder, faster. Then the loud booming sound of gunfire erupts from both ends, an all-out battle starting on the other side of the door.
"Let me out of this chair," I try to say calmly.
"Shut up." He holds out a hand to silence me like he is hoping they do not know we are inside.
He blows out the nearest candles on the table, but it does nothing. The entire room is cast in an orange glow probably able to be seen under the threshold.
The brawl on the other side of the door ends suddenly, as if they all fought until their ends.
Then the door shakes with a force so great, the hinges clang.
Lord Hollis jumps in his seat.
"Where are your weapons? Give me mine," I shout over the insistent pounding, thrashing against my ties.
He doesn't answer, frozen, cowardly staring like he has already given up.
With one final hammering blast, the door gives, swinging open and crashing against the wall, sending dust and splinters into the chamber.
I turn my face away as much as my restraints will allow and wince at the sudden entry.
When I crack my lids open again, the entrance is blotted out in darkness, but I can sense someone's eyes locked onto me, like I'm a target they have hunted down, finally within reach.
A chill erupts across my skin, freckling in tiny bumps, and my vision waters as I squint into the pitch-black opening, knowing it is not empty at all.
Finally, I see the enormous figure that stands just outside.
With a single step, the candles drape the unknown person in a haunting glow, revealing the reflection of armor.
Viathan armor.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
When I see him, the three worlds cease in their rotation and the eclipse holds no domain here compared to the tension shrouding this chamber.
99 slowly steps forward, breaching the threshold, a vision of measured control.
Dark char marks streak across his armor like he fought his way here from the birthlands, killing anyone in his path to get to me.
The energy in the room changes with each commanding step he takes, his movements deliberate and agonizingly precise. Even the flames from the candles sway in a careful dance, desperate to feed themselves on the thick air.
I did not notice Lord Hollis moving out of his chair to avoid 99's path until he stands at my backrest, using me as a shield.
"Kindly place that on the floor, Viathan," Lord Hollis says about the weapon in 99's hand.
99 ignores him, raising the massive gun and aiming it right above me instead.
My throat constricts, an invisible fist wrapping completely around my airway. I can feel my eyes watering as I gasp, choking and sputtering all at once like my airway could crack.
"I said put it down!" Lord Hollis's voice is muffled, like he is ducking down behind me.
I can see the internal battle written all over 99’s body, but he ultimately obeys the order, swayed by another choking gasp spilling out of me. He gingerly places his weapons on the credenza, then raises his palms in surrender.
"Sit!" Lord Hollis demands
The moment 99 takes a seat in the chair across from me, the band around my throat loosens its hold.
