Page 86 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Domitius furiously barked orders, refusing to accept his failure to control the dragon, but Graeson continued to hover, as if waiting to strike. As if waiting forherto strike.
Kallie ran harder, her arms pumping at her sides.
"You’ve lost, Kage!"
At Kallie’s voice, Domitius spun, a section of blond hair falling in front of his face. Yet a victorious sneer still sat on his lips. "The fun has only begun, Kalisandre." He threw up his arms.
All around the clearing, the leaves in the trees rustled, yet there was no breeze to blame. Not a second later, arrows shot across the sky, whizzing through the air. But not a single one was directed at her. They all soared into the sky.
Realizing their true target, Kallie screamed, waving her hands frantically.
Graeson’s gaze snapped to her, his lip curling back further.
"Go!" she shouted.
But there was nowhere for him to go. The arrows came from every angle, at various heights, as if the archers were determined to strike the dragon down.
Graeson lurched back, his dragon-form arching, a high-pitched yelp filling the air.
"I never lose, Kalisandre," Domitius said. He brushed a hand through his hair, pushing the fallen strand back into place.
Kallie charged, teeth bared and dagger in hand.
Domitius spewed out a mangled laugh. Then when she was five feet away, he shouted, hand up, "Stop!"
Kallie’s body jerked to a halt. She wobbled like a blade thrown into a tree trunk.
"Kill the girl already," he demanded, glancing at the last guard standing.
From the corner of Kallie’s eyes, she saw the last guard flip Ellie over in one fell swoop. Her back hit the ground, forcing out a softhumphfrom her lips.
"No!" Kallie shouted in protest. "Re?—"
"Silence!" Domitius shouted, his command slamming her mouth shut with a loud snap.
The guard’s boot slammed down onto Ellie’s chest. But the warrior wasn’t giving up, not yet. With her weapons out of reach, Ellie clawed at the guard, using her nails to scratch at any uncovered skin. Red smeared across his flesh as she ripped into his leg without mercy or restraint.
Another heartbreaking screech poured over them, and Kallie’s attention flicked to Graeson. He dove forward, a stream of fire spewing from his jaws as he roared. A tree went up in flames the moment Graeson’s fire licked the decaying leaves. And one by one, the surrounding trees caught aflame.
Kallie gasped in horror as she watched, stunned.
Then another sparkle in the forest caught her eye. The setting sun caught on the metal tips of a dozen arrows from the waiting soldiers, like stars in the sky.
Domitius' laugh echoed in Kallie’s ears.
Her gift stirred within her, but she couldn’t speak. Domitius’ stolen power clung to her skin like a layer of sweat. Still, the energy filled her.
Ellie’s razor-sharp nails ripped through the fabric of the guard’s trousers, and the guard laughed in amusement.
He had stolen so much from her already: her home, her family, her life, even her ability. But she would not let him steal her friends, too.
Move,she demanded. The invisible golden strands danced, rising higher as the guard lifted his sword, readying to strike. Sweat dripped down her face as the temperature of the fire rose.
Move!
Kallie stumbled forward just as a violent roar erupted, causing her to hesitate as the guard tumbled across the field with a shadowed form. Domitius shouted something, but Kallie didn’t hear him. His protests were lost to the pounding in her ears as Nyrri rolled over and over, the guard struggling to push her off him.
Black webbed wings flared out. Blood spurted, spewing across the field. Nyrri shook and tossed the guard’s head across the field as she discarded his limp form. The drakonis twisted around, ruby-red eyes aflame.
