Page 121 of The Study of Poisons
Mogkan’s shocked expression proved his guilt. Yelena had been correct that he’d hired Star. Next time, Valek wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss her theories. He silently encouraged her to keep driving that wedge between them as he tensed for action.
“That doesn’t make sense,” Brazell said.
“Mogkan wants to avoid contact with the southerners. They would know about—” The bubble of magic swelled. Yelena clawed at her neck, unable to breathe.
Valek judged the distance between him and Mogkan.
Brazell turned on Mogkan. “What have you been up to?”
“We don’t need a treaty with Sitia. We were getting our supplies without any problems. But you wouldn’t listen to me. You had to be greedy. After establishing a trade treaty, it would only be a matter of time before we’d have southerners crossing the border, sniffing around, finding us.” Mogkan spat the words out. “Now, do you want to kill her or should I?”
They stared at each other. Valek wondered who would back down. Then the magic in the room suddenly disappeared.
Mogkan staggered. “My children!” He roared. “Even without them, I still have more power than you!”
Yelena flew through the air and slammed into the wall. Valek dove, yanking one of his many hidden knives. He rolled and slashed at the nearest guard’s Achilles tendon. Then leapt to his feet to engage the others.
At one point during the fight, Mogkan sailed through the room and hit the opposite wall with a satisfying thud. Valek had only a second to celebrate before needing to duck and parry. When Mogkan ran from the room, Valek redoubled his attack. That demon would not escape.
From the corner of his eye, Valek noticed Yelena and Brazell fighting on the Commander’s bed, but there was nothing he could do. He had his hands full with the guards, who proved to be more skilled than the last three. Valek turned his full attention to ending his own fight.
“What do you think you’re doing? You’re a skinny nothing. I’ll gut you in two moves,” Brazell threatened.
Valek spared a quick glance. Yelena fought off Brazell’s sword with one of the bedposts. They were no longer on the bed, but she was retreating from him and would soon hit the wall. With a surge of renewed energy, Valek lunged and stabbed, aiming for necks and thighs.
“You’re dead,” Brazell cried as Valek killed his last opponent.
He spun just in time to see Brazell’s sword swing toward Yelena’s neck. Valek scrambled over the bodies littering the floor. The room stretched toward infinity. Yelena deflected the blade down. It cut across her torso, leaving a trail of blood. Brazell relaxed and Yelena raised her weapon.
The world paused.
Then she struck that sadistic old goat across the temple with one mighty blow. They both tumbled to the floor.
Valek reached her a second later. She panted for breath, but the cut on her torso didn’t look too deep. He bent over her.
“Find Mogkan.” She shooed him away.
Right. He scooped up his sword as he dashed from the room. Mogkan was probably on his way to his power source. Valek raced through the corridors. Halfway to the east wing, Valek caught up to the magician.
Mogkan spun and drew his sword. “I take it Brazell is dead.”
“Does it matter?”
He shrugged. “Not really. He was a means to an end. I’m sure I’ll find another way.”
“No, you won’t. This stops now.”
“I agree. Shall we?” Mogkan slid his feet into the en garde position. He held his rapier in his left hand.
Valek’s arm muscles protested when he assumed a fighting position and he wished he’d picked a lighter sword. Mogkan attacked first, lunging right at Valek’s stomach. Valek parried and riposted. Then they exchanged a fast series of strikes and blocks. The swords rang with each encounter.
It didn’t take long for Valek to assess Mogkan’s fighting style. His technique was clean and precise with no wasted motions. Mogkan didn’t block too wide or give Valek any openings. A skilled fighter, he stayed on the offensive with quick, efficient strikes. And he hadn’t just fought seven opponents.
The lack of food and little sleep caught up to Valek, but he remained confident in his own abilities until Mogkan added magic to his attacks. The air thickened and clung, dragging at Valek’s limbs.
“That won’t work on me,” Valek said, hoping Mogkan would stop.
“No. But it’ll slow you down.”
