Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
The female flailed, as though overcome. Daisy didn’t miss that her knife was perfectly positioned, though. She just couldn’t get out of the fucking way!
The blade sliced across Daisy’s forearm. She sucked in a pained breath and reached for the wrist. Another knife materialized in the female’s other hand and she slashed.
“Are you…a fucking…magician, or what?” Daisy twisted, grabbed around the female’s middle with her legs, and used her leverage. She spun around and down, ripping the female to the ground with force. Daisy landed first and rolled, reaching for her knife as she scrambled up. The female flipped, kicked her feet, and suddenly tackled Daisy to the ground.
How the fuck…?
“Release my magic,” the female whispered as she wrestled Daisy through the blood. “I need to speak with you.”
So she did know Daisy had cut out her magic, but she wasn’t confused or concerned. She didn’t ask how. Did she know what Daisy was?
No, that was impossible. She couldn’t.
Wary, unsettled, Daisy tried to cut the female’s side. Once again, she got air as the female rolled away.
“I need to speak with you,” she hissed as she grabbed Daisy’s hair and yanked her head back. She stuck the knife in Daisy’s thigh. “Please.”
Daisy cried out in pain, and for reasons she didn’t know and would never understand, she did as the female said. She released her magic, still continuing to grapple and half wanting to give up. This female was better than her, faster. She was a fucking wizard.
Never say die, Zorn’s voice echoed in her head. There is always a chance you may live.
In this case, there was a chance she’d be broken into a thousand little pieces.
When the time comes, you must not be greedy for the kill, the female said through Daisy’s mind. If she had any other magic, she didn’t use it. One must never let down one’s guard, even when the enemy is on the brink of death.
She slashed another part of Daisy’s body, not taking any damage of her own.
Wait… This female was saying Zorn’s words. His teachings. Did she shoplift those out of Daisy’s mind at another time? Why?
Tarian cannot help you, she said. Not will not…cannot. You must do this. Remember your resolve. You are the only one who can save him. Who can save them all.
They rolled around, slashing at each other. The female grabbed Daisy and forced her onto her back, laying her on the ground. The female’s eyes were right over hers, urgent.
You are the key. The only one who can do it.
Daisy’s dagger filled her hand, though she hadn’t grabbed for it. Her magical knife suddenly rested against her skin, magically strapped to her side under her garments. This female was arming her.
What the fuck was going on?
The female’s fingers wrapped around Daisy’s wrist, and she yanked. The dagger pierced her stomach. The female elicited a bloodcurdling scream before convulsing on top of Daisy. Not usually what a stomach wound would do.
Violence will set you free.
With that, the female died. She draped down over Daisy and lay still.
Daisy breathed heavily for a long moment as hot liquid spilled over her, trying to make sense of it all. Trying to understand why the female would urgently feed Zorn’s teachings back to her and then kill herself for the trouble.
Clapping pulled her focus away, and then rough hands were grabbing her. Pulling her. The dagger was ripped out of her palm as she was set on her feet. Large, clumsy hands pulled weapons out of the sheaths wrapped around her body and haphazardly patted her down to find any others. A palm touched the magical knife under her clothes but didn’t stop, continuing to search.
That done, the guard roughly grabbed her arm and yanked her toward the dais. She limped badly, the knife wound in her thigh screaming.
The king leaned against the arm of the throne. The other royals lounged, ready to be through with the evening.
“Well done,” the king said, stroking the diamond chalice. “I thought she had you there.”
Laughter and chatter went on behind her, the nobles having a wonderful time with each other now that the entertainment had finished.
The king’s gaze roamed over Daisy’s body, stopping on the areas the female had cut or slashed.
“And not too banged up. Fantastic.” He put up his hand. “Take her to my chambers. Strap her in.” His gaze lifted, and given the direction, Daisy knew he was looking at Tarian. “You need fewer distractions. If you finish quickly, however, I will let you have one last night with her.”
After all… His red eyes rooted Daisy to the spot. The royal black around his irises started to move, increasing in size and speed, flowing around his pupils. You’ll still be useable even with a broken mind.
He jerked his head. The two guards yanked her to walking. This was it. It was happening. She was on her own with a magically diseased creature hellbent on destroying her. Not just pain, either, but torture. He’d try to break her spirit little by little until there was nothing left.