Page 130 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

“What will it do?” I twirl the staff in my hand, deflecting away from the topic of the picture book.

“No idea,” he admits excitedly. “I only knew that you were meant to have it. Would you like to use it?”

“That’s why I’m here,” I say with heavy sarcasm, indicating the guard I dragged in here to train with me. Alec laughs and gives the man a sympathetic nod. Several other guards are littered around the pitch, watching us with mixed enjoyment and apprehension.

“I had planned to take you a little further from our home to learn what powers you will wield. However, if you are eager to test your new weapon, then I am eager to see you use it.”

“Yourhome, Alec.”

He smiles at me darkly—seductively. “I do love the sound of my name on your voice.”

My head shakes, trying to dislodge his distractions from my thoughts and get into position, motioning to the guard to do the same. “Come on.”

The guard flicks his eyes uncertainly to Alec who nods towards me. “Your queen gave you an order.”

The man swallows and takes position.

“I’m not your queen,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Oh, but you will be,” Alec tells me confidently.

I twirl the staff in a blur of motion; the metal sings through the air with grace and speed.

I turn once and bring the staff down.

The guard blocks it before it connects with his head.

My face splits wide, and I pull the staff towards myself, locking the corner of the speared end with his blade. I use the tension to flip myself over his shoulder.

When I land, I swipe the spear over the backs of his knees, meeting little resistance as the razor-sharp edge cuts through tendons.

He screams and falls to his knees.

I right myself and lock eyes with another guard, challenging him forward. Like the first, he hesitates and looks in Alec’s direction.

Alec’s nostrils flare as he sighs. “The next person to question my mate’s orders will meet a slow, excruciating death.”

After a few short minutes of fighting with the second guard, I catch him on the side of his face with the blunt emerald end of my staff. A bloody, fleshy chunk of his cheek splats while three broken teeth click along the stone floor.

“Your guards are shit, Alec,” I taunt, and he laughs.

“Ourguards. And yes, there is no denying that your greatness far outshines theirs.”

Alec motions for two more to come forward and face me. I fight them both, striking against the pair easily, moving with speed and agility to block their attacks while distributing my own.

I sweep the feet out from one before angling the staff to slice the spear into the underside of the other’s arm, finding a weak spot in his armor.

He screams as blood gushes out.

“You may all go now,” Alec’s warm voice commands.

I spin to Alec and the remaining guards to argue, still wanting to fight. The guards shuffle away quickly before Alec can change his mind, helping each other and grumbling along the way.

“I wasn’t finished!” I yell.

“Good thing I am still here.” Alec walks into the ring with one of his magnificent blades in hand.

“What are you doing?” I ask coldly.