The Forgotten Crown (2019) Book 1 of The Broken Crown Series

7. Terror

A cold prickle stirred her to wakefulness. The darkness prevailed even when she opened her eyes, but something in the dark made her skin crawl. The cold prickle pressed harder against her and Sirena gasped in terror realizing there was a blade at her neck.

Legs like tree trunks straddled her hips, pinning her in place. A rough hand searched her pockets, then pulled at the neckline of her smock, ripping it loudly. It searched her neck, greedy fingers grasping the precious gold chain. Sirena screamed, thrashing in the dark. The large hand clamped hard over her mouth, his knife hand moving to support his substantial bulk as he leaned forward, freeing her hips.

Sirena thrust both fists into her assailant's stomach. The man came crashing down on top of her, his sudden weight stealing her breath and making her dry heave. Digging her fingers into his eyes, she clawed the tender sockets as he howled, instinctively dropping the knife and clutching his face.

Shoving against his heavy body, Sirena squirmed from beneath him only to be caught by the ankle and dragged back. She clawed at the earth, screaming in earnest, kicking wildly, attempting to hit whatever she could. The man screamed obscenities at her until she landed a kick in his groin. A whirling, screeching, glittering wave of pixies flew past her shoulder, she didn't stop to watch as they swarmed the downed man.

Sirena sprinted up the bank, barely making the tree line when her ankle exploded in a rush of heat and she was knocked from her feet. Flipping her over on her back, a rough hand gripped her jaw and she bit into it savagely, the acrid tang of his blood filling her mouth. Bellowing in frustration he backhanded her across the face. Stunned, her head lolled as the soldier sat upon her stomach and eased both hands around her neck as if he were savoring the moment. He was swarmed once more by the savage pixies, their tiny little claws and teeth gouging at his face and eyes and neck. Sirena bucked and squirmed against his weight with all her might, to no avail, he held her fast.

Blood dripped from his face, the vicious pixies screeching in anger. The man threw up a hand, a dark jewel glittering in his fist as he bellowed a word. Though she didn't recognize the word it made her feel sick, she clapped her hands over her ears. The mob of pixies froze mid assault, their little bodies plunking to the earth. Sirena cried aloud as her little protectors littered the ground around her.

"Save those cries for yourself," the soldier sneered as he struck her again. His fingers twisted her collar cruelly, the leather cutting into the tender skin of her neck. When finally it broke, his hands tightened mercilessly about her throat, cutting off any hint of air. Desperately, Sirena clawed at his hands and arms and chest unable to produce a single sound, her broken nails useless against his leather bracers and jerkin. The world swam as he continued to crush her neck, her frantic scrabbling growing weaker and weaker. Her heartbeat drummed loudly in her ears, the thick sound alarmingly slow. Her thrashing limbs grew still.

A great pressure was building in her body, even as she felt herself fading into a darkness unlike anything she'd ever known. The opposing forces warred against each other until the burning pressure overwhelmed her entire being and came bursting through her skin in a great violet arc of light. Her enemy flew screaming down the bank, landing on his back, stunned.

Choking and gasping, Sirena retched violently in the dirt. The glittering wings of two dozen pixies stirred feebly, as one by one they turned to look at her. Using a tree to prop herself up she searched for a weapon, any weapon. Attempting to hobble from the tree, her injured ankle gave out, sending her tumbling down the bank. Dirt and blood salted her mouth, leaving a bitter metallic tang. Heaving and wheezing she clutched the biggest rock she could find, knowing she was unable to run.

Staggering to his feet, the soldier towered over her, face stretched in an ugly snarl. "I'm going to carve you up you little wit- uhhhn..." A bright piece of steel sprouted from his chest, glittering wetly in the moonlight. A final groan slid from his snarling face and he slumped back to the earth.

Shocked and cold beyond belief, Sirena felt the ground rise up to meet her. Beautiful green eyes worried above her, the distress in their gaze palpable. Unable to register a word her savior was saying, she dropped the rock and felt a great sob rip from her tortured throat. Her stomach heaved and gentle hands rolled her over.

Retching until nothing was left; she turned back to her champion and found herself staring into Lord Fox's handsome face. Incapable of doing more, she wrapped her arms about him, sobbing and choking into his shoulder. She pointed a shaking finger to the top of the bank. Carefully he scooped her up and carried her up the small hill.

The pixies hissed in fear as he drew close. Wordlessly he set her down and backed away. Sirena beckoned to the tiny creatures, unable to say a word. She tore off a large section of her smock and one by one they crawled to her, little wings fluttering weakly as they collapsed into the fabric. She wrapped them tenderly as Lord Fox hoisted her in his arms and deposited her gently in the saddle of his nearby horse. The pair rode off with all haste into the shattered night, neither capable of guessing the events they had set in motion.