Page 7 of Fractured Fates

I spin to face the others, counting four, and send another battery of fire hurtling back towards them, striking one directly in the face.

Three.

Snarling, I sprint towards the remaining men. Twisting and turning my body, thrusting and driving with my magic, and punching and thumping with my fists.

One sandy-haired fucker secures a lucky hold around my neck, but I wrench around and thump my magic down hard on his neck, snapping it in half.

Two.

I surge on top of a darker man, crashing my magic against his gun. He is larger than the rest and more skilled and, despite my onslaught, he finds his feet, punching me in the gut with such force the wind is knocked from my lungs. As I struggle for oxygen, I manage to dispense of him with a frantic swipe.

Another one down.

Only one left.

But I’m fucked.

The last man towers above me, his weapon pointing straight at the crown of my head.

And this is the end.

Time slows. I close my eyes.

This was stupid and I royally fucked up.

I imagine Phoenix shaking his head, disappointed with me.

I breathe in and wince in anticipation of the bullet.

Then a loud thud hits my ear drums. No pain follows.

I’m still alive.

When I open my eyes, there’s a knife lodged in the other man’s skull.

The knife that pinched my throat only yesterday.

3

Rhi

I stare downat my open palm and my entire body shakes.

I killed him.

I killed that man.

I’ve killed chickens before. Never a man.

Nausea erupts in my gut and I stumble backwards, clutching my stomach and doubling over. I heave into the undergrowth as my body trembles violently. When finally it stops, and I stand upright, the man in black is right in front of me. He stares at me with curiosity.

“You saved me.”

My face is damp and I swipe away the tears rolling down my cheeks.

“Here.” He hands me a flask from under his cloak and I flip back the lid and take one long gulp. Swilling the warm water around my mouth, I spit it onto the grass and then chug down more. It’s been days since I had a decent drink.

When I’m done, I wipe the back of my hand across my mouth and hand his flask back.