Children of Blood ✔️

Chapter Thirty Two

We reach the top of the stairs and to our surprise, there are no guards at the next level. We approach Lady's mahogany door and I load my bow with an arrow before dropping to the ground to peek under the door. I see shadows staggered across the floor, all the feet pointed to us.

I stand and bring the boys closer, "There are a lot people are in there waiting for us. Watch out for archers, so stay behind the door and let me shoot."

They nod and do as I say, Luke and I grab a handle and swing it open, staying behind. An arrow flies out and hits a wooden wall.

I wrap around the corner and shoot a man in the back row holding a bow. An arrow skims my cheek and I retreat. I wince as my sweat seeps into the cut where blood trickles out. Luke hidden behind the door across from me glares at the blood and swings himself around throwing two daggers and avoiding an arrow. Withdrawing is sword he charges, Adam, Maverick and Alaric quickly follow him. I spin around the corner and take shots from further away. One soldier chokes on his blood, desperately gasping for air before collapsing to the ground lifeless.

Lady sits promptly on her thrown of glass, transparent and breakable. She smiles and twirls a set of keys around her finger, probably the ones that lead to Izzy's cell.

Guards fill the room, but only seven remain as we work our way through. The warriors turn offensive and fling themselves towards us. I hold my ground, drawing my string, waiting for a clear shot as one charges towards me. I aim for his neck, but it's guarded by his helmet. I release as my arrow strikes his arm. It sinks into his flesh and he grunts, but his step never falters. I drop my bow and take out both of my daggers. I dodge a swing and trying to stab his lower back. I miss, he swings around and smashes the butt of his sword into my face.

I tumble to the ground and one dagger slides from my hand and across the floor. I try to slide towards it, but the man kicks me back down, pushing my face into the ground with his foot. He stomps on my wrist and I let my other dagger go. My finger tips play with the edge of a knife as I try to get loose from the man's increasing pressure. I give myself one last push and I don't budge; the man raises his sword and swings down.

Clash!

A few centimetres from my neck, the sword shakes before flying away. Adam pushes him off and I rush to my knives. Picking them up, I stand as another warrior takes this opportunity to swing his sword. I jump back and deflect his powerful swing followed by another, and another. He gives me no room or time to make any counter attacks. My heel catches onto an exposed ledge and I fall down, my back smashing into the floor.

The warrior raises his sword and swings down; I slide out of the way and it slices the tip of my ear. I back up and try to compose myself again, gasping for air. Adam jumps in front and deflects a swing from my opponent again, but this time the warrior throws Adam's sword from his hand and it skids across the room.

I sprint forward and tackle the man who swings at Adam. He falls and I sit on his chest, rip off his helmet and slice his throat.

"Jean!" Adam yells. Fresh warm blood drips down my neck to my chest. I raise my head up and Adam hovers above with a sword peaking out of his chest. Blood drips from his mouth as he tumbles to the ground.

"Adam!" I scream. He collapses onto my lap and tears flood my cheeks, "No! Get up!" He lays helplessly on my legs, as the colour in his eyes fade to a grey. My heart trips over every beat and I comb his soft blonde hair.

I swallow the lump in my throat and cry before throwing my dagger at the man who killed my friend. It bounces off his helmet as I set Adam onto the cold ground next to me.

He approaches and I look past him. The man hesitates as Lady stands from her throne, smirking at my pain. She struts towards us and pushes her warrior aside, "This one is mine."

"I'm so sick and tired of you taking everything important from me!" I sniffle and throw my dagger to the ground, "Let's finish this Lady. Once and for all. No weapons or guards or friends, just you and me."

Lady smirks and shrugs her cloak off, slipping a set of brass knuckles. "Let's play little mouse."