Boudicca glared at me again. “And make no mistake, Damian,” she said, adding extra venom to the last word, “you and all your kind will die. I will have my revenge tonight.”
I should have been quaking in my boots, but I caught the slight flash of something strange flitting around behind her, near the altar with Mei. It was only there for just a second, but it looked like a shadowy human moving about in the light of the room. Only not an evil shadow like Boudicca’s. It was more like a chameleon becoming visible for a half second while it darted from one spot to the next, before it blended into its surroundings again.
My lips curled up into a smile. That must be Sheila. She was following the plan after all. And that must mean Rick was nearby, too.
I craned my neck to try and find Rick, hopefully over by the doorway, but he was nowhere to be seen. Good for him. I didn’t want him getting himself killed on my behalf. I’d caused enough trouble already without having that hanging over my head.
“Tonight,” Boudicca said a moment later, holding her hands over her head. “Tonight, I will complete the ritual that brings me fully back to life. That will grant life eternal to all my dutiful followers.” She moved her hands around to encompass the whole room. “All of you have served me well, but there is much more to do.”
I rolled my eyes. What was it with villains and grand speeches? It was like the abandoned warehouse thing. So generic. I tried to tune it out, but her words were so powerful they bored into my head anyway.
“Tonight, I will siphon off the dragon’s life force, granting me the powers necessary to bring about my revenge. Then, on the morrow, we will march forward and conquer our enemies. Their Roman heads will roll, and their children’s blood will run thick in the streets before I am done!”
A cheer broke out from among the crowd of Iceni and I heard loud clapping as well.
I spared another glance at the altar. Had one of the chains been undone already? It looked like Mei was breathing a little bit easier. I knew what I had to do. I had to distract Boudicca a little longer while Sheila finished freeing Mei.
“Um,” I said loudly, clearing my throat. “Excuse me, queeny, but all the Romans are long dead.”
Boudicca spun around on her heels, a hiss on her lips and her eyes looking like fire. “Silence, impudent fool!”
She reached out and smacked me again, even harder than before. I felt like I was going to lose my grip on consciousness for sure this time, but somehow, I just barely clung to it.
“No… really,” I continued, coughing a little in the middle. I heard a tiny clang of metal behind me, but Boudicca didn’t seem to notice. “The Romans are long dead. Someone already killed them all for you. You’ve been out of it for like two thousand years now.”
Boudicca eyed me curiously for a moment, and she paused like she wasn’t certain what to say.
“Seriously,” I added. “You’ve got to get with the times. There’s this thing out there called the internet now. It’s full of information. Maybe you should read a little history before you go spouting off about mad revenge next time.” I flashed her another grin.
“You little ant!” Boudicca screamed.
She ran up to me and gripped my head in her icy hand so tightly that I felt like she was going to crush it like an egg. My eyes bulged out of my skull, and it was all I could do to pull in another halting breath.
I coughed in her face involuntarily, which only seemed to enrage her more.
“Why you insolent little gnat!”
She smacked me with her free hand so hard it drew blood. I felt a small trickle of the wet stuff dribble down my lip for a moment before the icy cold grip from her other hand froze it in its tracks.
“I should kill you where you stand, here and now.”
“Let me do it, mistress!” a voice pleaded.
It was Arlan. He’d moved away from Mei’s altar and was standing next to me now. Good. That meant Sheila would be able to move even faster now that no one was paying attention to her.
“Go… ahead… and try,” I said, smiling weakly up at both of them. “It’s what… I want anyway.”
“Please, mistress, I beg it!” Arlan pleaded.
Boudicca shook her head. “No, Arlan. It’s too simple a death, even for him.”
I heard her grunt, and she smacked me again, then she turned away.
Once more, stars swam in my eyes, and I felt like everything was going to go dark. Bile rose in my throat again, and this time, I did lose a little of my meager breakfast. Not the best look, but what can you do? I just hoped I’d bought Sheila enough time.
“I can… make it last a while,” Arlan offered. There was a glint of evil in his eyes that made me shudder. “Please. He killed my men. I demand vengeance.”
“And you shall have it,” Boudicca replied, gently caressing his cheek, then running her hand down his chest. “You shall have all the blood you wish, my lover,” she continued.
So those two were a thing? Ew. That was a mental image I didn’t need.
“But,” she said in a wicked tone, “we have wasted enough time with this filth.” Her lips curled into a smile. “Let us complete the ritual, then you may do as you wish with what’s left of him.”
Oh, great. Just what I always wanted. To have my head used as a plaything for a bloodthirsty Celtic warrior. Every guy’s dream. But I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to happen. I just had to hold out for a little bit longer.
“Yes, my queen.” Arlan bowed and presented her with the circlet I’d stolen. She accepted it with one hand, bowing slightly in return.
“Now,”
