Warwielder - Book 1 of The Evernoth Odyssey

Monster

Were it not for the dead bodies sprawled out around Cynthia and Kurtis, the couple's movements could have been construed for elegant dancing techniques rather than a demonstration of a lifetime of combat and survival skills. A slash here. A stab there. A kick. A punch. Somehow, the husband and wife never got in each other's way as the enemy pressed on with their superior numbers. With the enemy being felled one after the after, eventually the group of killers were forced to adapt to the couples' unstoppable killing spree.

Kurtis was the first to notice one of the enemies pulling back a bow string. "Cynthia."

The single word and the tone were all that was needed. Cynthia peered up at her husband and followed his gaze to see the archer as well. Just as the archer released the arrow, Cynthia deftly maneuvered a nearby attacker in front of her as a shield. The attacker yelped in agony as the arrow struck his back. The mercenary wife held up the fallen dead body and dragged it with her until she found cover behind a corner of the maze. As soon as she took cover, she dropped the body like a sack of flour. Not too shortly after, the husband followed after just as an arrow shot straight over his head.

The couple remained hidden in the corner as a flurry of arrows flew past them and peppered the adjacent corridor. As the projectiles whistled through the air like diving birds, Cynthia couldn't help but take the time to admire her husband's sweaty form. He was still fit for his age and the deep-set seriousness of his brown eyes only made him more attractive. Not to mention his sweaty brown hair plastered to his face......If the situation weren't so dire, she would have jumped him right then and there.

Kurtis peeked out the side of their hidden corner before quickly ducking back in as another arrow whizzed over his head, missing his scalp by a hair's breadth.

"You really need to take better care of yourself," Cynthia chastised her husband as she slowly lowered herself down into a low crouch. "That arrow could've gotten you."

"I should be taking care of myself?" Kurtis' eyes flew wide open in indignation. "I should be saying that to you."

"Our baby needs her father," Cynthia retorted as she placed her hand gently on her stomach.

"He also needs his mother," Kurtis countered.

"She's a girl."

"He's a boy."

A gruff male voice barked out from the distance. "There's only two of them!" No doubt from the leader of the enemy group pinning them down. "Why aren't they dead yet?! Go get them!"

"They seem rather angry," Kurtis whispered to his wife, almost conspiratorially.

"I don't blame them," Cynthia replied.

"No, no. I blame them."

"You killed one of their men. I think he was the leader's son."

Kurtis frowned. "How do you know it was the leader's son?"

Cynthia shrugged. "They had the same features. Plus, he shouted, quite clearly, 'You killed my son!'"

"He tried to kill me first!"

"I don't think his father would appreciate that particular nuance."

"You're a particular nuance."

Cynthia stared at her husband in confusion. She loved Kurtis with all her heart. But every now and then she couldn't help but question her choice in life partner.

Kurtis didn't seem to notice his wife's gaze. "Sweetie. We're trapped and there's nowhere for us to go."

Cynthia nodded in agreement as she slowly stood up from her crouch. "We might have to fight through them all."