Page 48 of Stone Heart
Chapter 16
“No!” Rina screamed and fought her father’s soldiers. Their grip on her arms tightened the more she struggled. She narrowed her eyes at the guards who were trying to drag her away.
“Rina, go!” her father commanded, brandishing his sword in his hand.
His powers radiated around him. Her mother followed behind the other warriors.
“No. I’m staying!” she said.
Her energy burst from her, knocking the guards to the ground. She stared at the new portal that was opening.
“I refuse to lose you again,” the king snapped, striding over to her. His expression was torn as he gazed at her.
Sherefused to be thrust into a hidden location, left to wonder what was going on. She wanted to be a part of the fight.
She would fight by her father’s side.
She would fight by Rhodack’s side.
She shook her head and stared up into her father’s eyes that mirrored hers. Ever since she was a little girl, she’d dreamed of battling evil forces by her father’s side. She may not have trained her entire life as a warrior but she knew her powers were stronger than any being on the rooftop.
The veil was off.
She knew who she was now.
“You won’t, Father, I promise,” she urged.
The shrieking sounds of a tortured creature echoed through the whipping wind. She squinted to look around her father and caught sight of the first beast to cross over.
A hellhound.
The beast’s growl reverberated through the air as the creature revealed its sharp fangs. It was a massive beast that crept down the stairs from the portal. Its soulless crimson eyes swept the rooftop. Another brute appeared behind it, this one bigger.
She trained her gaze on the beasts. More curses filled the air. She shifted to stand beside her father. The gargoyles were braced and ready with claws brandished. Rhodack’s gargoyle gave a powerful roar and stepped toward the hellhounds.
He was the alpha.
He was the clan leader.
He was a brave warrior.
Rina’s heart jumped at his show of bravery. She headed for him with her father and his guards flanking her sides.
The first beast leaped in the air toward Rhodack with its mouth wide, ready for the attack. With her heart seemingly lodged in her throat, she ran at Rhodack.
She threw out her hand and sent a bolt of energy hurtling to the creature. Her powers slammed into the animal, and it catapulted back onto the stairs, dazed. She vanished then popped up by Rhodack’s side while her father appeared on the other.
Rhodack’s growl grew deeper as he let out a curse, seeing her there. “I thought I told you to take your daughter and hide?” he snapped at the king.
“I tried,” the king said, attention on the portal. “She never did listen to me, even as a child.”
They turned back to the stairs. The other hellhound flew through the air. Her father leaped, swinging his massive sword. He landed on the ground with the head of the animal tumbling down the stairs. The other hellhound tried to charge her father and met the same fate as the other.
The loud shrieking noise that echoed again grew louder as the source flew through the air.
Winged serpents.
There had to be dozens of them swooping through the portal. She turned, the sky filling with the large, winged monstrosities. They reminded her of small dragons with huge wings and the heads of snakes, their sharp talons on display as they flew overhead.
