Page 54 of Curse of Darkness
Helplessly, I look around.
It’s a hall of some sort, the glass shattered and strewn across the slate floors.
But above us….
I glimpsed a broken tower as we entered. Enormous stone blocks that had taken a previous battering.
Staying here means ending up dead.
Yanking the amulet over my head, I drive the knife into the mortar and hang it there.
The wyrm keeps slamming the wall, trying to break through the arches as I back away.
My ankle hurts, but the initial shock of pain is subsiding. I can limp on it. Maybe even stagger.
But can I climb?
There’s only one way to find out.
Hauling myself up the back wall, crevice by crevice, I find the gallery, and then slip out one of the broken windows onto the roofline.
I was wrong.
It’s not true darkness outside.
There’s a hint of violet to the sky above us, a smattering of stars, though they’re very, very distant. If the wyrm wasn’t besieging the wall below me, I’d almost think it peaceful.
One thing at a time. Gauging the tower, I lean over the roof and check the wyrm’s position. It’s still drawn to the light. And the wall won’t hold. One or two more blows, and I’m fairly certain the entire thing will cave in.
The tower shivers.
I give it a kick with my good foot, just as the wyrm slams against the wall again.
Rocks slide. They’re stacked precariously now, the mortar long-gone. Driving my shoulder against the wall, I shove with my magic, though force is not truly one of my gifts.
A stone tumbles free.
I catch a glimpse of the wyrm’s face tilting up and slam my fists against the tower, infusing the blow with all my power.
“Wretch!” It rears up just as the tower topples. The entire thing smashes into its face, crushing its body back down.
The problem is, the tower takes half the roof with it.
“Help!” I scream as I plunge through the opening.
At the very last second, I summon a cushion of force beneath me. Slamming into it steals my breath, but it breaks my fall somewhat. Until a piece of stone slams into my ribs, leaving me breathless and winded on the floor.
Silence falls.
Dust begins to settle.
Every inch of me hurts.
But nothing… seems broken?
Shoving a flagstone off my side with a groan, I push myself upright. The pain in my ribs is so sharp it’s obliterating everything else, though I suspect my knee took a nasty knock too. I breathe through the pain, trying to consider my options.
Can’t run.
