“Oh. I see what’s going on here.” Sheena tsk-tsked. “You make light because you believe we should fear you. You’re so big, bad, and mad, after all. But soldier, we defeated the dragons who once ruled this world. You are nothing but a tasty meat stick.”
He dropped a backpack at his feet and unsheathed two short swords, then motioned the females over with a nod of his chin. “Know this. If the harpy is injured, I will ensure your end becomes infinitely more humiliating than currently planned.”
Being defended by the Astra was even worse than being restrained by the Amazon. Blythe’s every nerve sang with resentment.
“You just made your next mistake.” Sheena gave another tsk-tsk. “You consider my boast empty. Allow me to teach you a difficult truth, Astra. I say what I mean and mean what I say.” She bent her head, kissed Blythe’s cheek—and struck, slamming the blade through her windpipe, exactly as promised.
Sharp, piercing pain. Instant dizziness. Blood filled her mouth in a rush, spilled down her throat, and choked her.
Can’t breathe.Spots of black grew over her vision. In the distance, she thought she heard Roux roar with unholy fury. Then her knees gave out, and she knew nothing more.
7
THE DECISION
Pure, unadulterated rage deluged Roux. The Amazon haddared.
He altered the unnaturally sweet-scented atmosphere, intending to put everyone to sleep. Again. For some reason, the lot remained alert and upright. Was his ability failing or were they immune to the gases? Something to ponder later. For now...
Threaten someone under his protection and suffer.
Roux ran at his foes, his plan clear. Incapacitate the Amazon with the crystal crown, the queen he’d come for. Dismember and slay everyone else. Afterward, he could feed Blythe his blood, or at least try. If she sickened, he would find another way.
Once she healed, and she would, he would return to Harpina with both the harpy and the Amazon. Then he would torture the Amazon for the allotted thirty days’ wait, then present her heart to Chaos. Task complete, vengeance acquired.
Just before he breached the queen’s perimeter, a manticore struck her from behind, cleaving her head from her body.
The Amazon toppled, the crown tumbling across the grass.
“No one touch that crown!” the manticore shouted.
Confused, Roux paused. His mind reeled. The new queen, gone. According to Roc, another being would be named ruler. The permanent one, or would she come next?
Perhaps he should kill every female but one? Warrior’s choice became queen. Yes. He liked this plan.
The remaining immortals rushed to surround Blythe, forming a wall around her. A siren began to sing the harpy to...health? Death?
Can’t risk it.Lurching into action, Roux lunged and swung his swords, intending to take out a shifter and the siren at once.
The group surprised him, banding together to block and defend each other, rendering his strike unfruitful. Hmm. They were willing to murder their queen but also loyal to others? Or only disloyal to she who bore the title of sovereign?
A macabre dance ensued. The gorgon utilized the snakes attached to her scalp, attempting to mesmerize him. The vampires bit to weaken not to kill. The manticore endeavored to sting and inject him with a paralyzing toxin. The sirens not singing to Blythe hummed a seductive melody meant to propel him into a sexual lather.
Despite their best efforts, he evaded every tactic and capability, taking down two sirens, a vampire, two Amazons, and the final shifter. But he didn’t do it quickly. Minutes passed between each death, irritating him greatly. The females were more skilled than expected. Had they attempted to slay him rather than subdue him, they might have done major damage before losing.
And lose they would. Astra weren’t like any other opponents. They’d lived too long, experienced too much, and labored too extensively, eradicating any disadvantages. But. No matter the losses or injuries the females incurred, they maintained a stalwart wall around the General’s sister. As a unit, they proved more skilled, organized, and disciplined than ninety-nine percent of the armies he’d faced.
Must get to Blythe.If she couldn’t tolerate his blood, maybe she would recover with his soul.
Can’t fail her. Can’t fail my Commander...
Growling, Roux delivered a series of painful blows to an Amazon, shredding different parts of her. Down she fell, now missing a throat, a heart, and her intestines. Before the other combatants could stop him, he stomped, the spikes on the bottom of his boot removing her head and finishing her off.
“We wish you no harm, Astra,” the gorgon panted, doing her best to hold his gaze. Her species possessed the unique ability to look into another’s eyes and turn flesh into stone. Fables claimed the metamorphosis transpired in a matter of seconds, but even the most talented of gorgons needed hours.
“Your wishes mean nothing to me.” Swing.
She jumped back, his claws grazing her belly. Panting worse, she said, “Don’t be so sure. Agree to bed each of us, and we’ll let you have the phantom. Think of it. Your end goal is achieved, with hours of pleasure as a bonus.”