Page 46 of Inked in Emeralds (Inkbound #3)

Fenwick’s eyes lit up with surprise for a half second, but he dipped right under it, grinning as he tore his sword free. "Oh, come now. You can’t be that naive to think any of these people care about you. I’ll bet you think The Wizard is a good guy, too."

I snapped my whip forward, but, this time, he deflected it easily. My pulse raced, anger clouding my vision even as I reminded myself that the phony wizard wasn’t truly my father. "Stop talking."

He lunged forward yet again, then cut back as I sent out another blast of energy. "You’ve heard about Ruby Reach, yes? Why don’t I let you in on a little secret…"

I hesitated, my heart sinking as his smile widened.

"It doesn’t even exist, my dear." Fenwick’s voice was practically dripping with satisfaction. "It never did. The noble Lord Fallowell made a deal with Almira. The good citizens he sends off by trolley are nothing but tributes. Warm bodies to add to her army."

My stomach twisted into a knot as a memory flitted through my mind. The young man at the railway station, so excited as he told us how he’d be joining his father soon...

"No," I breathed. "You’re lying."

"Am I?"

Rage burned through me like wildfire, my whip cutting through the air as I struck, harder and faster, but Fenwick anticipated me each time, laughing all the while.

A flash of anger seared through me and faded, giving way to a deadly calm. He was mocking me for a reason. He wanted me angry.

I thought back to the first trial, settling my mind even as he closed in on me. I needed to use my head…

I spared a quick glance at Hook, walking backwards to bait Fenwick in even closer. He danced toward me, dipping and weaving as I searched for an opening, but I stayed patient. When he was a few feet away, he drew back his sword, ready to strike.

And that was the only opening I needed. I switched directions on a dime, leaping forward to meet him. His sword hissed through the air, passing right over my head, and I slammed, headfirst, right into his gut.

He leapt sideways, trying to create some distance but my whip was already there, swinging around his back like a snare trap. I yanked on it with everything I had, throwing him to the ground, then leapt out of the way. My part in this was done.

Hook appeared right on time, driving his saber straight through Fenwick’s chest. "You…" Fenwick sputtered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "You think you've won? She will—" Hook twisted the blade sharply, silencing him for good.

“How’d you know I was coming right then?” Hook asked, staring down at me. “You shouldn’t take that kind of risk.”

There wasn’t time to explain how my magic worked now that it was, finally, truly free. That I’d been able to look at the scene before me and see not only what was happening, but what was likely to happen next.

“I saw you about to kill the other fox and I knew you’d be coming to help. No risk involved. Now let's move. Billy’s in trouble.”

I jabbed my finger in the direction I’d come from, focusing in on a group of figures in the distance.

Duncan had joined her, now, but the two Scouts were putting up a hell of a fight.

Hook and I charged toward them, and I couldn’t help but wince as we passed the body of the third fox-man.

Duncan had sheared him in half at the belly, and the grass around it was soaked in red.

“Fenwick’s dead!” I shouted, staying on high alert as we approached. These flying monkeys weren’t as dangerous as Fenwick or his assassins, but I knew what could happen if they caught me off guard.

But rather than charging at me, they leapt backward, letting out a guttural screech.

What the ? —

“Don’t let them escape!” Billy dropped her arrow and charged at them, throwing caution to the wind.

Their feathered wings extended from their backs, and they let their weapons clatter to the ground as they leapt upward, preparing to flee.

But Billy wasn’t having any of it. She bent her knees, then shot upward like an arrow, clawing at the legs of the larger monkey.

He kicked and fought, but she clung to it with everything she had, wrapping her arms and legs around it. "Billy!" Duncan yelled, lunging to grasp the monkey's tail, but his fingers closed around empty air.

"Hold still!" I shouted, readying my whip.

But before I could do anything, Billy got hold of its wing, slashing straight through it with her dagger.

The monkey shrieked, then went into a wild spin, and they plummeted to the earth as one.

They landed with a heavy thunk, and the monkey immediately got on top of her, pinning her against the dirt.

"No!" I yelled, horrified as it pulled its arm back, ready to swing.

Billy let out a grunt and rammed a knife straight into the monkey’s throat. It jerked once, twice, then slumped down on top of her, lifeless.

I had only taken two steps toward her when a low gurgle caught my attention. I turned, my breath catching in my throat as Fenwick’s lifeless body jerked upward, limbs bending at impossible angles as he rose to his feet. His head lolled to one side, the hole in his chest still gushing with blood.

He turned to face me, eyes empty and lifeless, then opened his mouth, but it wasn’t his voice that came out—it was hers.

“My sisters did well to bring you this far,” Almira’s voice said, speaking through Fenwick’s dead lips.

“But you haven’t seen anything yet. My true power lies in C’an Saas.

And don’t even think about hiding. Nowhere is safe for you now, and I will destroy any world you try to hide in. See you soon, my pretty!”

Fenwick’s corpse jerked again, as though caught in a seizure. Flames erupted from his skin, then exploded into a massive pillar of fire.

I turned as Duncan helped Billy to her feet. She stood and looked down into the face of the flying monkey she’d killed as we all waited with bated breath.

“Not him,” she murmured. “And it doesn’t matter anymore if it was.

I always knew that if we killed the witch, her magic would die, and my brother would die with it.

Before tonight, I wasn’t sure if you could do it…

if we could do it. And now, I know we can.

I believe in you, Harmony. More than I’ve ever believed in anything. ”

She lifted her gaze to meet mine and moved closer. Then, she dropped before me, only this time, to just one knee.

“I have one last secret to share. James asked about a book. I did have it. I still do…in some fashion. And I should’ve told you about it.

Should’ve told you that, my whole life, I knew it was my destiny to protect you.

My mother was given a tome of fairytales by an old bookseller when I was a child.

And in it, the beginning of our story was told.

I waited for you…we all did…me and my brothers.

But as time passed, we started to think it was all the rantings of some crazy old man or someone playing a prank.

Then, the worst thing that could happen happened.

My brothers were as good as dead, and I wanted to die myself.

I nearly managed it, too. Went to a pub and drank myself into oblivion.

Then, packed my satchel and pockets full of stones and hurled myself off the side of a cliff into the sea.

” She shook her head and let out a low laugh.

“I wanted to die, but something inside me wouldn’t allow it.

Against my own will, my body started to fight.

I kicked my feet and emptied my pockets.

I wriggled the bag off me and swam to the surface.

By the time I was strong enough physically and mentally to swim back out and find it days later, the book was ruined.

Inked smeared and useless.” She met my eyes and hers were filled with tears. “Princess, I’m so sorry...”

“You don’t need to apologize.” I gripped her hand tight. “I don’t care about the book. I’m just glad you’re still here. You did nothing wrong, Billy.”

She shook her head furiously. “I couldn’t let go of the past. That’s why I was too ashamed to tell you about it.

I’d shirked my responsibility. Put revenge above duty.

” Under the despair, resolve shone in her eyes.

“I pledged my bow to you, but it was at half-measure. I need you to know that you have it fully now. Forgive me, Princess. I know I let you down back in that room, but it will never happen again.”

I pulled her up to stand beside me.

“You didn’t let me down, my friend. You never could. I do accept your offer, though. Your pledge to me means everything. In fact, I can’t imagine a better army than the one we have right here.”

And it was a good thing. Because it was now or never…

I looked at each of their faces in turn, trying not to let my gratitude and the host of other emotions get the better of me.

“Now let’s get the prophecy, and go kill that bitch, shall we?”