She fought against his hold, trying to thrust her knee into his groin, but he blocked her leg.
“Haven't had enough yet, Princess?” He smacked her across the face again with the back of his hand, and her vision spotted. Blood filled her mouth, a coppery tang on her tongue. She lifted her sluggish head so that she was looking him in the eye, then spit a mouthful at his face.
“Never.”
He stared back, unfazed by her blood running down his face, as he slid his hand out of her hair and wrapped it around her neck, squeezing just enough to make breathing difficult. His pupils dilated, his breath coming faster, as his fingers tightened. “I could end you, right now, Princess. It would be so damn easy,” he whispered. Pulling his other arm back, he smashed his fist into her face, and the world went black.
Chapter Twenty-Three
They were back on the road, galloping across the hard packed dirt. Josselyn was draped across the front of Conrad's mount, both her wrists and ankles bound this time. A gag had been shoved in her mouth, and her throat burned with a need for water. She blinked dry eyes, her head woozy from hanging off the side. Dust from the road wafted upward, and she squeezed them shut again.
Some warrior I turned out to be, can't even escape a single guard when I'm armed. No wonder my beast won't come out. I'm pathetic.
She bit back a groan as a wave of pain rolled over her, keeping her body slumped loosely over the horse. Better to let them think she was still unconscious, rather than listen to anymore of Conrad's threats.
“Hey, Conrad, the road's blocked up ahead. Bunch of trees down, stacked up like a barricade.”
The horse she was on slowed as Conrad grumbled above her. “What the... there weren't any roadblocks when we came through here before. What's this all about?”
Josselyn turned her head to face forward, trying to see what they were talking about. Sure enough, several large trees were lying across the road.
“Well, just go around them. It's not like we're hauling a wagon or anything,” Conrad called out, urging his horse forward at a walk. The party of men approached the barricade slowly, looking for the easiest way around. A light at the top of the stack caught Josselyn's eye, and she squinted, making out the silhouette of a cloaked figure holding some sort of staff from which the light was shining. The men seemed to notice it at the same time, pulling their horses up as they shouted.
“There's someone up there!”
“Who are you?”
“Surrender now, we have you outnumbered.”
The figure remained motionless, the light from the staff growing brighter, so bright that the men were forced to turn their heads away. Josselyn's eyes closed against the glare, but they popped open wide when she heard a woman's voice whisper through her mind.
“Why have you not released your hellcat, Shendri?”
What? Who are you? And how are you in my head?
“All in good time, my dear. Right now you need to release Kella. Free yourself from these men.”
Kella? You mean the beast that came out in the forest and killed those men?
“Yes, you must let her out. Now.”
I tried, but nothing happened. I don't know how to call her.
“Is that so? Well, no matter, I can bring her out myself. Prepare yourself.”
The same voice that had just whispered through her mind now rang out for all to hear, loud and clear and strong. She spoke a series of words in a language Josselyn had never heard, each word landing with the power of a command in her chest. Heat stirred in her belly and pricked at her mark, building until she felt it pulling at her chest, painful, yes, but not nearly as much as the first time.
Shadows poured out of her, disappearing in the glare of the white light, until it dimmed, revealing a huge, black hellcat crouched on the ground as if ready to pounce. Shouts filled the air as the men saw the beast standing there, and they drew their swords as their horses danced around uneasily.
The beast ignored them, its glowing eyes focused on Conrad. There was a low growl, then a streak of black as it came flying through the air at them. The horse side-stepped, tossing its head nervously, but the beast flew past it, its large paws striking Conrad in the chest and pushing him off the horse onto the ground. Sinking its teeth into his flesh, it ripped out his throat before turning its predatory eyes on the other men.
One of them had taken out a bow, and was aiming an arrow at the beast's head. The cat just snarled, swatting the projectile out of the air as it prowled toward the archer. It stopped a few feet in front of him, planting itself between Josselyn's horse and the men. Opening its massive jaws, it growled, bearing its teeth and causing the horses to rear back and whinny in terror.
“She's a bloody witch!” One of the men turned his horse around, fleeing down the road toward Tallis. The others eyed the beast nervously before turning to follow him, apparently in agreement.
Josselyn's horse skittered to the side as the beast dissolved into shadows, flowing back into Josselyn's chest, and she felt herself starting to slip off its back.
“Easy, love. Noham ma lie.”
The cloaked figure from the barricade appeared beside the horse, reaching a hand out to stroke the side of its face. The horse stilled, pressing its face into the woman's hand. She turned toward Josselyn, pushing her hood back as she did.
Long, silvery white hair fell around her ebony face and her golden eyes danced as they met Josselyn's.
“Shall we get you down from there, then?”
She set her staff down before sliding Josselyn off the horse, her arms trembling under her weight. She lowered her to the ground and went to work removing the gag and bindings. She moved efficiently, rubbing Josselyn's wrists and ankles once they were free.
Clicking her tongue
