I spin and jab my elbow into his rib cage, then raise my sword and angle the blade toward him. Before I connect with his stomach, he twists and grabs a handful of my hair, yanking my head back.
“Let’s carve something into that pretty face,” he says.
Struggling against his hold, I swing my sword left to right, trying to make contact. He pulls my back to his chest and captures my sword hand.
I scream and snap my head backward, clocking him in the forehead. My skull splinters with pain, but I ignore the ache and send my heel into his groin. He releases me. Spinning, I turn my blade flat, and hack his head from his body.
/> The Otherworlders look up and snarl. I run the back of my arm across my face, wiping it clean from blood and sweat.
Two race at me as the remaining two jump inside the machine and order the vehicle forward. Its wheels turn as it lurches into a grinding and clanking motion. I know I can’t allow it to leave with the captured inside, which means I have to end these two quickly.
I lift my sword, preparing for the impact.
A rumble quakes the glass windows of the building beside me and I freeze. The Otherworlders halt their advance, and I look up. An army Cury-craft ripples the air around us as it lowers from above. It lands behind the Otherworlders’ war machine. Protectors spring from the side of the Cury as a low hum intensifies to a piercing whir. Then a zip of blue light blasts the back of the Otherworlders’ machine.
The giant vehicle tips and rocks, smoke billowing from its back. The protectors surround it and then pry the metal doors open. They pull the Otherworlders from the hull and fight them to the ground as they evaluate the people. I’m lost in the chaos, have forgotten about the Otherworlders before me until one growls and rams into my side. He knocks me to the road and I skid to a stop, pain blooming in my chest, dirt caking my mouth.
The Otherworlder with a red armband moves behind me, and the other with black teeth stands in front, caging me in. I pick myself up and hold my sword angled from my body. My breath hitches as the sharp pain spreads, and I force my lungs to take shallow breaths.
They attack at the same time.
My blade meets the black-mouthed Otherworlder, but I’m too busy fending him off to wonder why Red Armband hasn’t already ran me through. Then I hear grunts and metal on metal, and thank the goddesses that one of the protectors has come to my aid.
With renewed determination, I trade blows with the snarling Otherworlder. He quickens his strikes, and I rebound, blocking until I find an opening and stab his side. He howls, and I slice his throat, silencing his gurgling cry.
I kick dirt at his body before turning to help the protector behind me. My stomach drops to my feet and spiking fury needles my chest as my eyes sweep over the prince.
Hell.
Groaning, I flank his backside. I cut the Otherworlder down by his knee and the prince drives his sword through his heart. After the mongrel falls to the dirt, we look at each other.
“You disobeyed orders,” I say through my teeth.
“You disobeyed orders and now you have the chance to save those you care about.” He sucks in a breath, straightening his back. “Unless you missed it back there, I wasn’t asking for your permission. This is as much Perinya’s war as it is Cavan’s.”
I exhale heavily. “Don’t do that again.”
“What? Save your life?” He raises his eyebrows.
Glaring at his cocky smirk, I manage a low, “Thank you.” Then quickly add when a hint of a smile hikes the side of his face, “But, prince, this is not your place. You’re as likely to end up staked at the end of my sword as you are to help me.” I shake my head. “You’re too impulsive.”
He laughs. “Are all female protectors so pissed off and violent?”
My mouth parts, ready to correct his ignorance, but he doesn’t give me a chance to counter as he takes off running.
Grumbling, I follow after him. His heart is in the right place, but he’s not a soldier. Fiery revenge and a sense of justice are all good, but it won’t keep him alive. He’s too headstrong and willful.
“Wait here,” I call out to him.
When he stops and turns back to stare after me, I sprint toward the Cury-craft. “Where’s General Corvin?” I ask one of the protectors.
“He’s aboard his Cury, ma’am,” he says, motioning one of the freed citizens into the side of the craft.
“Will this Cury meet with the general’s at some point? I have orders from the Council to assist Corvin with the evacuation.” I glance around warily, and add, “And where are you going now?”
His dark eyes meet mine. “Our orders are to pick up as many citizens as possible and get them to the west border. We’re a part of General Corvin’s convoy evacuating to Laryn, ma’am.”
“We’re joining you then.” I wave the prince over. “Has the Barrel Quarter been evacuated yet?” My heart jolts inside my chest, waiting to hear if my mother is safe.