Page 128 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

I lifted my helmet and placed it upon my head, knowing the hour was upon us. Instead of remaining behind the gate and watching the fight unfold, I would join the others who were willing to give their lives so we may live.

Viper gave the order. “Fire!”

* * *

The blade swiped at my abdomen and then came down on my shoulder.

I ducked then spun out of the way before my sword performed a flurry of blows that overpowered the Ethereal. I had enough momentum packed into my hits that he twisted and then jerked, losing his balance momentarily. That was my chance to swipe his head clean from his shoulders.

There was no opportunity to enjoy the victory, not when another assailant was on me. Her blade struck my shoulder, but the smoothness of my armor deflected it instantly. There would be a bruise from the hit, but not a wound. I met her sword in battle, and we danced as another Ethereal came from behind. They orchestrated their attack, coming at me all at once to defeat the King of Grayson.

I dodged her hit and kicked her in the chest before I deflected a blade coming at me. I blocked the next one and then pushed back with my sword. A burst of energy broke through me, and I slashed and slashed, defeating one Ethereal and then another.

But they just kept coming.

And then the explosion silenced the sound of battle.

Everyone turned to the mountain, which was now a cloud of dirt in the sky. The sound was so deafening that my ears rang for several seconds. I gritted my teeth because it hurt, hurt more than the bruises all over my body.

But it was worth the terror on all their faces. Their morale was instantly weakened. For the first time, they feared they would be defeated. Half of their soldiers were on that mountain—which meant half of them were now dead.

It gave me the chance to strike down each and every one, to take advantage of their distraction and the chaos. My blade reflected the sunlight as it spun and danced, covered with the blood of those who probably didn’t deserve it. But the sun was painful, and my forehead burned with sweat. My uniform protected my skin from most of it, but the rays still penetrated part of my helmet. The pain started as a simmer but quickly turned into a boil, so I didn’t have much empathy for my enemy.

KINGSNAKE.

All my unease disappeared at the terror in Fang’s voice.What’s happened?

Ellasara. Larisa and I are holding her off, but we won’t last long. She’ll kill us both.

I immediately abandoned my enemy and sprinted to the gate.I’m coming.

24

COBRA

Morning turned into afternoon, and the fighting continued.

Once the mountainside was blasted by our explosives and all those Ethereal were killed, there was a distinct drop in energy. Their arrogance evaporated like a pot of water on a hot stove.

Now was my chance to defeat King Elrohir before my father reached him.

In the sea of bodies, it was hard to tell which direction to go. The Ethereal all looked the same in their white armor. My only indication of his whereabouts was the sea of Originals that had congregated in a single spot. Their black armor was a direct contrast to the pearl white of their enemy.

By the time I came close enough, I realized I was probably too late.

King Elrohir and King Serpentine were already locked in battle as the Originals held off King Elrohir’s guards. It was just the two of them, exchanging blows back and forth, neither one of them having the upper hand for long.

I could stay back and hope King Elrohir defeated my father. But he would only be defeated in death. King Elrohir wouldn’t accept a surrender or grant mercy. He would only accept my father’s bloody corpse.

Back and forth they went, two titans with thousands of years of experience with the blade.

But then it all changed—because of a damn rock.

My father lost his footing only slightly, but that was enough to miss the next hit and end up on his knees.

King Elrohir pressed his blade right up against my father’s throat, pressing hard enough to make him bleed.

The Originals were too engaged in their battle to notice.