Silver Winds

Chapter 9

Astra took stock of her surroundings as Rune backed away from her. He backed up behind his brothers, all the way to the walls. Astra made a mental note of the slick area near the cave's entrance, the fire, and the boys' positions. They were glancing at one another, all smiling with a wicked glint to their eyes.

"Don't kill them, okay?" Astra murmured. "I still need them."

"Got it," Volos replied. "And you don't get yourself injured."

Astra made a sound of agreement, then raised her voice.

"Are you prepared?" Astra questioned, staring at the boys with a level and calm eye. She knew the stakes, and though she had been afraid at first, her fear had melted.

"Always ready for a fight," Enok replied, his hands curling into fists. Astra let hers do the same.

"Then let's do this," Astra declared, moving toward Enok. "Volos, I'll take the twins, you take the other three and I'll be there when I can."

"Fine by me," Volos grunted, blocking a punch from Birgir. The look of ecstasy on his face caused Astra's heart to pound faster. Blood roared in her ears, and she couldn't hear anything anymore.

Enok was heading for Volos, but Astra slid in between them with a kick to his side. He skidded a few feet, then stood, giving her a manic smile. A shudder made its way down her spine, but she forced her face to remain passive.

"You're dealing with me," she said, before launching herself at him. As she wrapped her arms around his waist, she noticed that he felt thicker than he looked. She could feel the muscle under her fingers as they crashed to the ground, and she wiggled her way up to a place sitting on top of him. Warmth radiated off his body, making the space around them seem uncomfortable and hot.

She drew her fist back, and let it fly toward his face. A slender hand caught her wrist and slowed it, just enough so that it grazed Enok's cheek and hit stone instead of his face. Astra cursed as a sudden pain shot up her arm, but sent her other arm flying in rapid succession. This hit his jaw, painful to the both of them. The clarity inside Astra's head was frightening as she watched Enok's head snap back onto the rock. He swore and snarled as he grabbed Astra's arm and threw her over him into the wall. Astra hit the wall and the breath leaked out of her. She slid to the ground, watching as Enok and a more reluctant Rune advanced. Enok's wiry fingers latched onto her collar, and dragged her to her feet. Panic threatened to take over, and she lashed out with her legs. Her right foot caught him in the pressure point on his leg. He dropped to the ground, a wail bursting from his throat. While he laid on the ground, Astra crept toward Rune. She reached into her shirt, and pulled out the long, thin dagger she had placed there earlier. She rushed at him, knife at his neck and her right leg behind his left.

"This might sting a bit, sorry," she murmured. "Stay down."

She let the dagger bite into his neck, just enough that blood began to trickle down into his shirt, staining it a deep rust color. She pulled his leg out from under him with hers, then pretended to hit him over the head. A thin, yet strong arm wrapped around her neck, and dragged her backward. She cried out and the dagger clattered against the cave floor. She clawed at his arms, a deep, primal urge to run bubbled up through her entire being. Her vision began to cloud. Panic slowed her brain, and she could only think of one thing to do.

She stomped on his instep, and the resounding howl of pain cleared her head. Astra gasped for air as she stumbled back. Her shoulders hit the wall behind her, and she recovered for just a moment before jumping toward Astra. She ducked under a punch and slammed her fist into his solar plexus. He choked and fell to the ground, unmoving.