Page 38 of Ensii
“No more than you.”
The torchlight flickered, catching her eye. “They burned.” She recalled how quickly the last demon had caught on fire when it got too close. “Fire. Gilsazi! You.” Talitha grabbed a middle-aged soldier with the mark of Gilsazi’s legion on his chest. “Tell General Gilsazi to have his archers make ready with arrows of pitch. When that thing comes through, we’re raining flames on it.”
The man nodded, his wiry beard jutting out from under his helmet. “Yes, my ensaak.”
“Good. Go!” Talitha whirled to Ashek. “Ashek!”
“Yes.” Ashek looked up without any of the anger or wrath from a moment ago. There was only tired acceptance.
Talitha stepped between him and the body of Kurzik. “Fire seems to be our only weapon. We need to get as much of it as we can. Burn down the throne room if need be.”
Ashek frowned. “That thing broke through pillars like they were straw. Why hasn’t it come through yet?”
“I don’t know. This is all we can do without knowing what’s going on in there.”
Ashek straightened, shoulders squaring. “I’ll speak to the Hudspethites in the city. They may be able to help us find something.”
“Yes. And husband.” Talitha stopped Ashek as he was about to turn away. “Be careful.”
Moving past, Ashek touched her arm.
There was no time to mourn or to discuss what he had done. There was only action. Kurzik’s body was pulled out of the way and covered with his cloak. Talitha tossed the idol into the nearest brazier.
They were so close to winning, but they could never win while that thing beyond the doors lived.
