Page 73 of Court of Treachery (Empire of Blood and Malice #2)

73

DIMITRI

D imitri was grateful for Saradon’s vague orders, for in their ambiguity, he had room for disobedience. “Kill them all.” Dimitri grinned wolfishly. He didn’t say who. He rushed through Afnirheim, obliterating any goblins he came upon with a wave of fury, but he found no solace in their deaths. Each extermination only fuelled the inferno burning within him. When would the damned scourge of creatures end? They seemed to pour from the very earth without pause, as if they spawned infinitely. Dimitri internally cursed Saradon for his foolish alliance as he smote another pack of goblins into oblivion before they realised he was there.

Up ahead, a huge rabble of them squawked and screeched, excited. Who have they found to torture now? Dimitri thought, disgusted. When he rounded the corner and perceived their prey, his snarl deepened. Brand, Erika, and Aedon were already backed into a corner, fruitlessly fending off the ever-boldening goblin attack. Dimitri’s blast of magic sent goblins reeling, stunned, before they wheeled around, chattering with rage. At the sight of him, they cowed into submission as angry power roiled toward them.

“Run!” he commanded Aedon, who prodded a confused and suspicious Erika and Brand into action. They dashed through the deserted halls and out of sight.

At their victims’ escape, the goblins let out a clamour once more, brandishing weapons and charging Dimitri. He curled his lip and sent out a giant blast of magic, bringing the tunnel down upon their heads in a cascade of thunderous noise and choking dust. Before the halls turned to silence, he was already gone—on to seek his next targets. One way or another, he would see the pascha’s horde diminished.