Lost Soul

Chapter Forty-Four: Thomas Black

I look over my shoulder, lifting my hands. "What's not? The sword? Or the throne?"

A hand curls into my hair and yanks my head back. His voice rasps in my ear, "you think you're good enough? That sword will kill you. It'll tear your mind to shreds. You are not worthy to wield that power."

"Wanna bet?"

I slam my head back, into his nose.

He cries out and stumbles, his sword moving from my throat.

I lunge, grabbing the sword. I turn it on the man, gripping the hilt in both hands.

He holds his nose, staring at me. "Impossible," he breathes.

I give him a quick once over.

He's not as scary as I assumed he'd be.

Short, salt and pepper hair. Light, green eyes. Permanently tanned skin, similar to Nick's.

He's a few inches shorter than me and has to look up into my eyes.

I almost laugh. I've got nothing against short guys, believe me. But I'm definitely not this guy's kid. My mom's not exactly tall either. I didn't get my height from either of them.

Thomas narrows his eyes at me. "Of all the creatures in all the realms, you're the one person able to wield that sword? Blasphemy."

"Why'd you even bring it if you can't use it, dumbass?"

Thomas rolls his eyes. "OH, there's that human mouth I've been told so much about. Your mother did you a disservice raising you in Ivory. You're barely an Ebonion anymore! You're practically human." He steps closer. "If only she'd left you with me, your father... You'd be something honorable."

I scoff, "you really expect me to believe that bullshit? You're not my father, Thomas."

"And who is? The dead wolf? Don't you remember what he did to you?"

I flinch.

The sharp snarl and the dig of his claws in my throat are so vivid they're almost tangible.

Thomas smiles. "So, you do remember."

I grit my teeth and step forward. I dig the sword tip into his throat and he stiffens.

"Don't touch me with that."

"I take it you've never been in a fight before. The goal is to touch you with it, Tommy."

He glares. "Thomas," he corrects. "You have no idea the damage you can do with that sword."

"I think I do," I hiss. "You want me dead, right? That means I'm not holding back."

He lunges inside my guard, plunging his sword towards my stomach.

I side-step. My wing slams into the back of his head.

He stumbles, crashing into the dais's steps. He slams his palm into the stairs and whips his head around to glare at me. "You think you can beat me!? You have no idea how powerful I really am!"

"Powerful?" I ask, twirling the sword in my hand. It's the perfect weight for me and fits in my hand like it was molded to my grip. "You're an elf, right? From what Charlie told me, Elves have little to no magic of their own. Sure, they can use Ebony's magic. But so can children."

Thomas grits his teeth as he gets to his feet. "What does magic matter to you? You have no idea how to use it, even Ebony's magic is useless to you. Your mother locked your magic up tight and sealed you away. I'd be doing you a favor by killing you."