Behind My Shadow - Book Three

63. We've Stepped Into a Cruel World

Most unexpectedly though -despite the ever-looming threat of a danger- the only thing that comes through the Hidden Chamber is a little spinning top. The toy harmlessly spirals on the floor towards the bed.

I furrow my brow. "What the -"

"Look out!" Vyndren suddenly shoves me into a wall and shields me as the top suddenly explodes.

All the picture frames and mirrors shatter to the floor and a blinding flash of red light washes my entire room in a searing blaze. My bed is caught on fire and crimson smoke fills the room, creating a nearly opaque haze.

I hear the stamp of boots filing into my room.

"Vyndren, no!" I hiss as I frantically try to hold onto him.

A wave of black arrows suddenly fills the air and descends for my bed. I watch with wide eyes of alarm as the fiery bed falls to the floor under the barrage of arrows.

Vyndren wrenches himself free from my grasp and swiftly drawls his swords before diving into the smoke. I instantly hear the cries of pain as the assassins are met by the Blood Prince.

I summon air to clear most of the smoke and instantly my eyes zero in on the Queen of Hearts. She's dressed similarly to the rest of the assassins in formfitting black body armor and a bright red cloak only she doesn't wear a full helmet, just a partial mask covering her nose and mouth. Regina and Kolfer are the only assassins that have a crimson heart on their cuirass instead of a black one.

Regina's pale eyes are wide with horror at the sight of Vyndren crossing blades with what's left of her assassin army but the second our eyes meet, she hurls one of her golden seis for my head.

I deflect it with my sword and now lunge closer to force her other sei down before she can throw it.

She suddenly summons magic and a burning spray of fiery red sparks fly into my face. I double back with a cry of frustration and pain. Regina cackles as she swings her other sei. I swivel to the side. "Imagine my surprise to find your little Vampire pet up here with you, my dear!" I dodge under her next strike. "I was so hoping to be able to dispatch of you myself without much fanfare but alas, I see things are going to get interesting after all!" She abruptly twists her sei across my blade and slams me back against the wall.

I thrust my sword forward to shove her off me. "Without much fanfare?!" I repeat in astonishment as I duck under her next swinging blow. "You literally set off a freakin' bomb, you deranged psychopath! My soldiers will be here any moment to arrest you! There's no way they didn't hear that!"

"Oh, I already took care of most of your lil' card soldiers," another sei sizzles to life in her other hand, its blade lances my arm as I try to turn away. Blood hits the floor. "I may or may not have drugged the beverages everyone is celebrating with downstairs," Regina chuckles at my stunned expression.

"You poisoned everyone?!"

"They'll wake up eventually, but by then it'll be far too late for anyone to rescue you." She summons another burst of magic to her hand and I'm suddenly sent flying off my feet.

I slam against the wall before I fall to all fours, my sword clatters out of my grip. 

I wearily look up to see my Dark Rider in the middle of the Black Hearts, crossing blades with the thirteen remaining assassins. Unfortunately it looks like these Black Hearts have prepared themselves for fight against a Vampire. They are each armed with silver blades and chains. Silver burns and immobilizes Vampires; I watch with shock and disbelief as one assassin is able to lasso a chain around Vyndren's arm.