Page 102 of The Study of Magic
He surged forward, jerking from their grip. Amid the cries of alarm, he lowered his shoulders and plowed through the others, making it to the stairs. Racing up them, he dove through the open door and landed among a group of surprised guards. He kicked and punched, getting in a few good strikes. Dodging and weaving, he tried to find a weak link to break through.
Except, there were just too many of them. One oversized man had a steel jaw and hard head, which he used to headbutt Valek. The pain reminded him of his concussion and stunned Valek long enough to be recaptured.
He cursed as his hands were yanked behind his back and secured. He glared at Cahil for a moment before slouching as if defeated, hoping they wouldn’t think to tie his ankles and carry him to the noose.
“Well, that was a good test of our defenses,” Cahil said. “Not as exciting as seeing you swing, but all in good time.”
Valek glanced around at the crowd. A few people rubbed bruises and glowered at him. Marrok hung back. “You’ll have to do better if Ferde takes control of Sitia.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“You’re really good at denial. Aren’t you, Wannabe King?”
Ignoring Valek, Cahil motioned to his guards. “Bring him.”
Six people surrounded him. The ones behind him and beside him clamped onto his arms, neck, and shoulders. The two in front created a human barrier. It seemed extreme, but, unfortunately, it was quite effective.
Cahil led the little parade through the Citadel’s alleys. Valek searched for someone,anyone, who might help him. But the few people they encountered took one look at the group and changed directions before Valek could call to them.
The sun dipped below the Citadel’s walls as they reached a small, empty courtyard. The most distinguishing feature stood tall and sturdy, right in the center. The branches of the oak tree reached out and almost brushed the surrounding buildings.
Cahil removed a noose with a long rope from his pack. He threw the rope over one of the lower limbs and pulled it down, so the noose dangled in midair.
Valek’s stomach climbed his throat as he realized they planned to strangle him and not break his neck. Cahil handed the end of the rope to Marrok. Then he gestured.
The people holding Valek dragged him over despite his efforts to break free. Once Cahil settled the noose around his neck, Valek froze as terror clenched his heart in its icy jaws. The guards holding him released their grip and stepped back. It was their first mistake.
Valek moved. He kicked high and hard, knocking as many people down as he could. Suddenly, Yelena filled his heart. Fatally injured, she had collapsed onto the ground, too overwhelmed by magic to heal her stomach wound. Strange visions of people and horses and the Avibian Plains zipped through his mind, as if Yelena’s life was flashing before his eyes.
The noose tightened around his throat as Marrok pulled the rope, cutting off his air. He had fifteen seconds at most before he passed out. He’d run out of opportunities. This was the end.
Sorry, love. I don’t think we’re going to make it this time. Regret pulsed.
No! Stay alive. Think of something!Yelena yelled.
I’ll stay if you will. Although he’d no idea how to accomplish that. But her agreement gave him a surge of energy. As the noose lifted him into the air, he hooked his legs around Cahil’s neck.
Cahil yelled to Marrok as Valek shifted to put his heel on his chin to break the Wannabe King’s neck. Marrok let go of the rope. Valek and Cahil thudded to the ground. He’d lost his grip on Cahil, and he still couldn’t breathe. Then the guards around him staggered and collapsed to the ground. Shouts filled the courtyard followed by silence.
Black spots filled his vision. His throat burned and his lungs ached. Three black-clad figures leaned over him. A knife flashed and Valek braced for the pain. Except the blade sawed through the rope, and the pressure around his neck disappeared.
Valek filled his lungs. The air wheezed through his bruised throat. Two of the figurers helped him to his feet. The bindings around his wrist were severed and they led him away from the courtyard.
“Hurry,” a woman said.
It took a few moments for his brain to connect the figures to his two agents assigned to the Citadel. And even more time to wonder who the third person was. It didn’t matter. They’d saved his life.
He could only hope Yelena managed to survive as well.
They arrived at his safe house and entered through the alley. Once inside, the blackout curtains were pulled shut and lanterns lit. Valek collapsed onto the couch as his two agents pulled off their hoods.
The third kept their hood on but shook their head. “Disappear,” Ambassador Signe ordered. “If you’re caught again, it’ll be impossible to rescue you. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.” His voice rasped. It hurt to talk.
“Good.” She turned to leave.
“Thank you,” Valek said.
