Page 114 of Obsidian Dream

She wasn’t sure if he heard her, but a heartbeat later, he responded.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Kiki.”

Something moved in front of her.She slid across the ground as a claw swiped the position where she had been sitting.A gallu emerged fully formed.She rolled, scrambling to her feet into a defensive position.

“Catch,” Kade yelled.

She turned as a blaster went flying through the air.Reaching out, she grabbed it, balancing herself as she pulled the trigger.The slight recoil from the weapon came as a surprise.

The creature exploded in front of her, showering her in dirt, wood, and something else.

“Hunter!”she yelled back.Kade turned to face her and watched as she placed the pouch with the relic near a marble stump.She was relying on Kade to keep it safe while she helped Talik.“Don’t disappoint me.”

An unholy scream wrenched through the air as everything around them stilled.Ninhursag floated, her black hair billowing around her as the snake tattoos slithered along her arms.The sclera of her eyes was now pure green as she scanned the ground looking for something.Or someone.

Talik straightened, nodding at Kade in some unspoken conversation.Goose bumps exploded all over her arms—she did not like where this was going.

Talik stabbed the earth with the sword, casually using it like a walking stick.He cockily glared at Ninhursag.“Turns out, I am not looking for a new queen to worship.That position has already been taken.”

Khalida covered her ears a heartbeat before a powerful force shoved her to the ground.There was no amount of effort that would help her move, straining against the invisible bonds.She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.Blood trickled over her fingers.Agonizing pain exploded through her body as she struggled to stay conscious.

A bright light flashed.

Chapter Fifty-Two

KHALIDA

The world around themwas cast in an unnatural white hazy glow, bright enough that Khalida’s instinct was to shut her eyes until it disappeared.Forcing them open, she ignored the tiny black dots that littered her vision and took a deep breath as she worked through the pain.Everything around her was still slightly off, like she was looking at her surroundings through a filter or from underwater.She sniffed.The air was filled with the scent of myrrh mixed with pomegranate.

There was no sign of Talik.

Time seemed to slow down.The blaster flashed red.The charge had depleted.Fucking technology, always being useless when she needed it most, but she still had her knives.

The hairs on the back of her neck rose as an artic chill spread through her.She held her shoulders square and braced herself.She was no longer alone.Slowly turning, she came face-to-face with the god.

Ninhursag’s hands were outstretched as she beckoned for one of her monsters.