Page 82 of Cage of Destiny
A chill slid over Allyssa. She had afeeling things were about to get a lot worse. Jana turned herattention to her. “I suspect you three men care unnecessarily forthis pathetic excuse of a woman.” Jana strolled over to her,looking her up and down. “All three of you love her in somecapacity. As a friend, lover, or daughter. And all three of youwill watch me hurt her. Then we’ll see how you feel afterexperiencing that.”
“What would you like me todo with her?” Tredek asked, readjusting his firm grip aroundAllyssa’s neck.
“Lay her on the table.We’ll start by cutting off her hands and feet.”
ChapterTwenty-One
Allyssa felt like she was in thedungeon facing the interrogator again. Only this time, there werepeople she loved and cared for to witness her suffering. Shewouldn’t survive being tortured—especially in front of herfather.
Tredek shoved her onto thetable with such force it groaned. Refusing to comply so readily,she used the momentum to roll off the other side, landing on herfeet. There wasn’t anywhere to go, but she wasn’t going to makethis easy. She’d rather die fighting than be mutilated by theseRussek barbarians.No,she thought,not Russek barbarians.Jana.
“You’re surrounded,” Janasaid. “The only ones who can help you are on their knees,powerless.”
“That’s not true,” Allyssaretorted, surveying the area, looking for an advantage. “I don’tneed them to save me. I can save myself.”
Jana snorted, and Tredek lunged forAllyssa across the table. She ducked and reached for the hilt ofthe sword strapped to the soldier next to her.
An explosion rocked the room, sendingwood splinters flying everywhere. Allyssa fell to her side, missingthe sword. The soldier collapsed on the ground next to her, a knifeembedded in his chest. She scrambled backward and glanced under thetable. Tredek was also crumpled on the floor, blood pooling aroundhim. People screamed, running every which way in the mass chaos.Hands grabbed Allyssa’s upper arms, pulling her to her feet. Shecried out and swung, punching her attacker in theribcage.
“It’s me,” Odarhollered.
“What is going on?” sheyelled. A series of war cries rang throughout the room.
“Kerdan’s Hunters are here.And just in time.” He yanked her to the side of the room, out ofthe way from the fighting. Swords clanked, men grunted, and thesmell of smoke filled the room.
Kerdan’s Hunters were here? She wasn’tgoing to be mutilated in front of Darmik? Wiping the tears from hereyes, she turned so her back faced the wall, Odar at herside.
A dozen men dressed in furs spreadthroughout the room, wielding swords, axes, and spears. Many of theRussek soldiers cowered before them, surrendering rather thanfighting the Hunters. Those who made the mistake of fighting werecut down with lethal and brutal efficiency.
“Where’s my father?”Allyssa didn’t see him or Kerdan anywhere in the fray.
“Darmik is fighting fourmen who just came running out of the hallway over there as ifthey’d seen a ghost.” He pointed to the left.
“Should we helphim?”
“No, Kerdan was veryspecific with his orders. He said to move out of the way and stayin one place, no matter what.”
“He knew they werecoming?”
“He didn’t know forcertain,” Odar said. “There were several plans. This one happenedto pan out.”
“Just in time,” shesnapped.
“We wouldn’t have letanything happen to you.”
She didn’t see how that was possible.Something caught her attention, and she looked to her right. Janawas heading right for them.
“Allyssa,” Kerdanshouted.
She looked up toward where the voicecame from.
Kerdan threw a dagger, and it embeddedinto the wall right next to her head. “She’s your kill.” He turnedand struck a man down with his sword, keeping everyone away fromwhere Allyssa stood.
Grabbing the hilt, Allyssa yanked itfree and turned to face her enemy.
“Give me the weapon,” Odarsaid. “You distract her. I’ll kill her. This ends here and now.I’ve had enough of this woman.”
Holding the hilt, she stood and staredat Jana. Odar tried to take the weapon from her, but she shook herhead, refusing to release it. Kerdan had given it to her—notOdar.
