Page 43 of Dancing With Demons
This makes hope blossom in my chest again, and I pop up to look up at him. “I’m ready for any challenge you have, my King.”
If I could see into the inky depths beneath Asmodeus’ hood, I’m sure he’d be smirking. It colors his tone as he says, “Step out of the way.”
I turn, trying to see what is behind me, but there is nothing. The doors are still closed, and no one new has emerged.
That’s when I realize that my opponent is already in the room. I just couldn’t see her behind Eth’tak, but as the trolvor steps out of the way, I realize that I already know what my task is – or who, rather.
It’s a familiar redhead who offers me a small smile and a half wave. “Hi.”
Dread hits me hard in my stomach. To let Piper practice on me is one thing, but I can’tfighther. There is no way I’d ever do anything to hurt or provoke her. I only want to help her, to find a way to grow her powers in a safe environment.
Eth’tak leans down to whisper something forward, and she stumbles forward until there’s not much space between us. With every step, my heart hammers harder until all I can hear is the blood rushing in my ears.
I have to find a way out of this, and though I know that Piper is a formidable opponent and she has a much higher chance of hurting me because I’m not willing to hurt her, I whip around to look at the King with a sneer on my face. “I can’t fight her.”
The confusion that flicks across Piper’s face stings, but I can explain everything later. I just need to get us out of this, and it’s clear to me that I am the only one that can. I’m sure that Tolmond and Eth’tak have already tried.
“Why not?” the King asks, relaxed back with amusement in his voice. I expected him to be more enraged at my protest against his orders, but I have an inkling that he isn’t threatened by my resistance. He’s got some kind of plan, and that only makes me more wary.
“Look at her! She’s a tiny thing. One of the Hound Master’s pampered ur’gins would be a better opponent than this creature. Sir, you must see that.”
“She may surprise you.”
I let my eyes rake down Piper’s frame, and I hope she can see the apology in my eyes. She honestly looks so beautiful right now, and it would kill me to see a scratch or bruise on her soft skin–especially knowing it’s from me.
“It’s offensive to compare our abilities.” The words don’t come out as harsh as I intend, and I tear my eyes away. “If you are going to insult me, at least do it directly. There’s no need to set me up like this.”
The King spreads his hands wide, but there’s irritation leaking into his voice as he says, “It’s not a setup. Truly, if you defeat her, you’ll be promoted. Now, stop wasting my time before I find another lowly volvath who will jump at the opportunity.”
I swallow at the insult and the threat that he just slammed into me. I can’t let another demon come up here. What if they hurt Piper?
Nodding, I turn to face her, and I lower my voice so that hopefully only she can hear me. “It’s just like your lessons, right?”
She nods, but her eyebrows are pinched together and she looks incredibly nervous.
“I can take it. You know I can.”
Piper sucks in a deep breath, rooting down in her stance just like she always does. She lifts a one hand out toward me, still needing to feel the flow of the energy to redirect it instead of making things happen with a snap like Tolmond.
From her palm, a burst of green flames shoots forward, and I dodge it, getting clipped on my left shoulder. It doesn’t burn really, as I move, I throw a small blast of my own at her. I’m very adept with my magic, but I’ll use it to keep this from turning into close combat–my specialty.
She leaps out of the way, and I send another line of fire dancing after her so she has to retreat again. She stamps her foot, the flames twisting and racing toward me, and I throw my hand out to reabsorb my power.
The King slams his hand into the arm of his throne, growling. “Stop wasting my time!” It seems I’ve pushed him beyond his limit. “You both are holding back! I’ve had enough of it!”
I throw my hand out–barely more skill than Piper and needing to concentrate to direct my magic–when something slams into me. I tumble back, gasping at the heat radiating through my body.
Lifting my head, I see Piper kneeling on the ground in a similar, dazed state. The heat spreads, moving up my body, and soon, it feels like I’m choking on it. It numbs my brain, my ears filling with a buzzing sound, and then, I’m on my feet.
I feel like I’ve lost all control of my body when my magic starts to swirl, looking for a desperate escape. I don’t know what’s come over me until Piper leaps to her feet with a shout, her eyes tinting red as she throws a powerful blast toward me.
I intend to roll out of the way, but I lunge forward, charging at her as I duck under blast.Kill. Kill. Kill.It’s all I can think, my body aching with the need to clamp around her and end this threat.
He hit us with a bloodlust spell.
I’m shocked with the realization, and it manages to break me out of my state long enough to throw myself to the side as I go to tackle Piper. She doesn’t notice my change of course, though, and a blast of magic slams into my ribs as I roll across the floor.
The growl that burst free is foreign to my ears, and I’m on my feet again, my magic bursting free of me. It takes Piper almost no effort to wipe my advances away from her, and she slams one foot into the ground, throwing a hand forward with a shout as a blast more powerful than I’ve seen her conjure before rips free.