Page 59 of Blood of the Fallen
CHAPTER 23
“JazminBronteismine!”Val exclaimed as the other two magistrates stepped forward. “No one touches her.” He turned in my direction, teeth bared.
I expected to see magic crackling at his fingertips, but instead, he pulled out his sword and sliced it through the air. It whistled with menace.
Kall squared his shoulders and crouched, ready to help me.
“I can take care of him. Help the others,” I said as the magistrates began casting balls of fire and electricity at the adult members of the pack while all they could do was run. Except that… unable to shift or leave the perimeter of the camp, what hope did they have?
As Val approached, brandishing his sword, I could tell Kall didn’t want to leave me. It wasn’t until a crackling ball of green power hit Desna’s mother in the back that he reluctantly joined Maki and Novuk as they jumped to attack.
Clenching my teeth, I tore my eyes away from them and focused on Val. I had to trust they would know how to take care of themselves.
My hand itched for a sword. I hadn’t touched one since the Last Day of Indulgence, and with my teeth and claws, I’d thought I’d never need one again, but I’d been wrong. Casting about for something to use to fight him, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed one of the wooden staffs that were used as walking canes by the old. I surreptitiously judged the distance.
Face disfigured in ire, Val came at me, sword raised over his head. Heart booming in my ears, I waited him out, and as he sliced the weapon at my neck, I ducked and rolled toward the staff. I snatched the long piece of wood and twirled it over my head. Captain Silex had taught us how to wield many weapons, and the staff was no exception.
I smirked at him because the staff gave me an advantage, and he knew it. The weapon had more reach, and the sword would never be able to cut through it. In fact, if I caught one of his blows just right, the blade could get snagged in it. Of course, he knew this just as well as I did, so he would not be stupid with his attacks.
We circled each other, gazes locked.
“For all those years, how did I miss the fact that you’re a psychopath?” I asked.
His mouth tightened for an instant, but he said nothing. Instead, he looked for an opening and, thinking he’d found it, jabbed his sword toward my middle, overextending his arm. His movements were fast and precise but so were mine. I changed my grip on the staff, swung it, and knocked Val’s weapon aside. In one fluid motion, I went for his head, punching the staff forward, but he retreated too quickly.
All around me, chaos played out while I did my best to keep my attention on my own opponent. It took all I had to ignore as tents burst on fire, people screamed, and children cried out. I couldn’t take my eyes off Val—not even if worry for everyone else was gnawing at my bones.
Evaluating, we circled each other again. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement by the tents behind Val and almost gasped when I noticed Nirliq crouching low, her dark eyes wide and little nose scrunched up in concentration as she glared at my rival.
Nirliq, what are you doing?!I demanded, pushing the thought forward.
Immediately, her head disappeared behind the tent.
Stay hidden, I ordered her.Don’t let anyone see you.
All I could hope was that nothing would happen to her, and she—
Val pivoted right, rushed in, and slashed his sword downward. I barely had time to jump out of the way. Still, the sharp blade sliced a deep gash above my elbow, cutting the flesh like butter. I gnashed my teeth together and sucked in a breath as burning pain erupted from the cut and warm blood soaked my sleeve. Right away, a restless sensation spread around the cut. I quickly glanced at it and saw it was slowly repairing itself. I had no time to be amazed by my shifter healing abilities and focused on Val.
“Barely any time has passed, and you’ve already lost your edge, Jaz,” Val spat. “How pathetic. Everything you have become is tragic. But don’t worry, I’ll deliver you from your misery.”
He attacked again, this time slashing the sword at my leading thigh, but I wasn’t distracted anymore. Nirliq had left, and Val had my full attention as he should.
Stamping my foot forward, I slid my right hand to the lower end of the staff, swung it back to gain momentum, and did a one-handed swing, aiming for his head.
Val’s dark blue eyes widened as he saw the butt of the stick headed straight for his temple. Jumping backward toward the tent, he also arched his spine, throwing his head back to avoid the blow.
Like a snake hidden in the bush, Nirliq chose that moment to come out again.
“Nirliq, don’t!” I exclaimed, but she didn’t listen.
Teeth bared, she growled and leaped at Val’s leg. She grabbed hold of it, wrapping her little arms around it, then sank her teeth into his calf, biting with all her might.
Val screamed in surprise. Turning his attention to the tiny attacker, he angled his swords to strike her.
“No!” I screamed again, lunging in their direction.
I caught the blow of the sword with the staff just in time. His blade cut into the wood and stuck there. I grabbed his cloak’s sleeve and pulled on his sword arm. We struggled, grunting and trying to overpower each other.
