The Bloodstone Prophecy - Book 2 (complete)

Chapter 37 - Pain

Kami heard a scream. It sounded like Yasmin's voice. She pushed herself hard and flew into the cavern.

She saw Yasmin standing in front of her grandmother, pointing a gun at a bird that was only a couple of feet away.

Kami swooped in and dug her talons into the shadow creature's breast, slamming it against the cave wall. The creature shrieked and tried to pull away, but she held tight and slammed it again.

The bird lurched forward and latched onto Kami's head with its sharp beak. Pain exploded in her head. She screeched and let go of the bird. The shadow creature took advantage and slammed her against the wall.

A deep fury burned deep and erupted in her. The fate of everyone depended on her strength. She would not let this stupid bird defeat her! Kami twisted and escaped its grasp, flying up above the shadow bird.

She focused on her enemy intently, then dove with a force beyond her own. She slammed into the bird and dug her claws deep into its chest and ripped it open.

The creature screamed in agony, then shook violently and went stiff. Kami dropped the carcass. It hit the ground and poofed into black dust.

Kami looked around, but saw no other creatures. Yasmin was kneeling over her grandmother. She looked shaken, but seemed otherwise fine.

She needed to help Gedo! She flew straight up toward the dungeon. The prisoners screamed and cowered back as she landed. The wounded guard jumped up. He had bound his wound, but blood still seeped through the fabric. She landed and stalked toward him. As she leaned toward him with her sharp beak, he drew something from behind his back and flung it.

Kami yelped as stinging barbs dug deep into her. She stumbled back and looked down.

The guard brandished a shadow whip in her direction. That explained the pain. Those suckers really hurt. She circled above him, considering her options.

She looked at the prisoners, but didn't see Gedo. They were inching forward now, probably anxious to see a shadow creature take out their captor.

Kami could see the keys at the guard's waist. If only she could get in there. But the pain from the whipping still stung fresh. There was no way the guard would let her get in close, unless...

She dove straight at the man's head but pulled up just as the strands of the whip almost hit her. She dove again and again, from the back, on the side, from the back again.

The guard turned and whirled and ducked until at last Kami could see an opening. She dove with talons outstretched intending to knock the guard down.

The guard whirled around last minute and she felt something catch her feet and her world shifted sideways. She crashed to the ground. The guard stood over her with the shadow whip. Pain shot through her body.

It's not real. It's not my pain, she tried to tell herself. But it didn't work. The pain was excruciating. The guard lifted the shadow whip high. Kami summoned every bit of strength left and latched onto his knees with her powerful talons. He crumpled to the ground, dropping the shadow whip. Kami snatched the keys from his belt with her beak and dropped them into a prisoner's outstretched hands.

He put the key into the lock, but before he could open it, the guard pulled out a gun and shot the prisoner. He slumped against the prison bars, dead, but it was too late. The door opened and the other prisoners spilled out. The guard frantically fired a few more times, but it had little impact. The crowd swarmed him.

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Dedication for this chapter goes out to BradenGoodman1 who recently read through Born of Shadow and caught up with The Bloodstone Prophecy. You rock Braden! Thanks for the support. Check out Braden's writing by clicking on the dedication link.