Her First Mistake

Chapter Seventy-Four: Count on it

   My first target was the elf that had thrown the knife at me. Crimson magic flowed off of my arm and clinked as it solidified into a chain, loops forming further and further down my arm. A claw formed at the end. I stalked forward before lashing the chain forward. The elf, distracted by an Enforcer, didn't see it in time. The chain lashed around her knees and the hook stabbed into her knee. Blood spat from the wound. 

   The elf shrieked. I hauled her towards me. Her dagger sliced off my chain -- another spelled weapon, dammit -- and she drew another from her boot. With a kick of her legs, she launched at my face. I threw up a shield. Her daggers cut right through it, but I was ready. My foot sunk into her open chest. A jolt shot up my knee as it hit the armor plate. Her head cracked against the ground, but she was damn determined.

   A fist enlarged by layers of magic slammed into her chin. Her jaw clenched onto her lip. When she stumbled, I slapped the paralyzing spell sitting in my hand into her chest. Her dagger scratched my arm, but the spell had already sunken in. She collapsed.

   My ears faintly picked up on the sounds of footfalls before something slammed into my back. I went crashing onto my front. Teeth latched onto my shoulder and sunk in, drawing my blood. I released a shrill cry and slammed my palms into the ground. A shockwave exploded from my back, throwing the tiger off of me. It twisted midair and landed on its paws, tail lashing in a furious snarl.

   I felt the warmth of my blood trickle down my arm. Panting, I snapped one hand at the ground. A net fell from my fingers, rapidly wreathing into a large mass of rope. With the hand holding my staff, I beckoned the tiger forward. It didn't hesitate. The feline's hindquarters bunched before it shot forward. I raised the net before spinning to the side, throwing up my leg. The padded side hit the tiger in the throat. As the feline twisted midair, I completed the spin and threw the net over it, tightening it harshly. The ropes bit into its skin as the beast yowled. I clenched my fist. The net squeezed until the animal writhed in agony.

   "Reilly!" The voice howled. I turned my head, face cold, as I observed the woman stalking my way.

   "Karrae."

   The woman had some blood leaking from her lip and temple. Nonetheless, she drew two blades from her wrists and dipped into a deep crouch, curling her lip up. It was an invitation. The memory of her glee at killing Tate slammed into my temper. I sneered under my breath and dropped the tiger, facing her fully. Karrae bared a wicked grin before she threw the first blade.

   I knocked it aside with ease, the pressure between my eyes gaining size with each spark of gold or droplet of crimson. My eyes located the wooden bracelet on her wrist. Perfect. Karrae's foot pushed off of the ground and she soared upwards. Tate was right. It was as if gravity didn't affect her as much.

   Her daggers crashed into the red shield. With a twist on her heel, she darted around it. Both knives lashed out in a slash for my face. I locked her wrists with my staff, but she'd been waiting for it. With a twist of her arms, the staff was pulled from my grip and thrown to the side. The magic around my arms faded rapidly as I felt the block of not having my staff. Brat.

   Karrae flipped the knives her hands. I took a step back, raising my hands. She had no idea I wasn't powerless. My eyes darted across her figure. The woman flashed a dark grin. "Not so good without that staff, are you?"

   "Come find out," I snapped, raising my fists. Her attack was predictable. I ducked to the side and my fist sank into her side. Her elbow wrapped around my wrist and she bent it backwards, causing pain to shoot up my shoulder. Instead of showing it, I lashed the rope around her throat and yanked harshly. 

   A gasp tore from her throat. Startled, she stumbled and grabbed for her neck. I finally took the shot I'd wanted for days. My fist sank into her jaw.