Page 37 of Orc’s Promise (Knotty Monsters #3)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

TANSEY

T his isn’t the first time I’ve been punched in the face, but I forgot how much it hurts. The force drives me into the wall, where I sink to my ass. A second later, Joe falls at my feet, a knife in his hand and blood gushing from his throat.

Blank eyes stare at me. The fool pulled the knife from his carotid artery and bled to death before hitting the ground. I’m too numb and scared shitless to feel anything for him.

Ethan! All thoughts of Joe disappear as I scramble to where Ethan huddles in the corner, Brownie pressed against his face.

“I’m here, sweetie,” I say with a kiss to his head. I don’t see where the blaster went after Joe grabbed it from me. I curl my body around Ethan as the sound of weapons clashing and people fighting echoes around us.

Blood, swords, knives…and Verig in the center of it all. He’s grossly outnumbered. Five vints, four of which match him in size and weaponry .

By some miracle—no, skill and sheer determination—Verig’s holding them off. But he’s bleeding from multiple wounds. He can’t hold them off much longer. And I can’t seem to move, except to rock Ethan and cover his eyes and ears.

“Please leave him alone,” I squeak out. “I’ll go with you. Anything! Just don’t hurt him!”

“No!” Verig shouts. “Do not trust them!”

Verig moves left, then back, drawing the vints away from the door. Blood pours down a deep cut in his shoulder, but he doesn’t let that stop him from opening a corridor for me and Ethan to escape.

I scoop Ethan into my arms and run as the vints converge on Verig like a pack of hungry wolves. Terror fills me as my hand curls around the handle, but I have to get Ethan out of here.

Verig’s strong. He’ll survive, I tell myself, because if I don’t, I’ll fall apart, and that can’t happen. Once I get Ethan to safety, I’ll find a way to help Verig.

Not that he needs my help. He’s only waiting for Ethan and me to escape so he can unleash his wrath on the vints. This is what I tell myself as I fling the door open.

And run right into Baloq.