Chapter 49: I Said Shut Up (2)

Chapter 49: I Said Shut Up (2)

The initial blow didnt kill the man immediately. Skin melted, and his right eye was destroyed, provoking a blood-curdling scream as he fell backward. Xerxes realized his mistake. In the past, hed struck Abhorrent and killed them in one blow, but that was because hed hit them in areas that werent protected by bone.nove(l)bi(n.)com

He kicked the wounded thug, sending him sliding across the floor and through the chairs. Meanwhile, the second of the three thugs had his dagger out and was holding it in front of him.

Ey, the man said, I didnt sign up to fight a mage. I

Xerxes lunged, launching a jab with his non-enhanced hand. The thug waved his dagger at it, and Xerxes stepped closer and followed up with a blow to the gut. The burning hand bit into the unprotected flesh of the mans belly. He screamed, but the hand was already inside. Xerxes grabbed the wrist of the hand that held the dagger, and used it as leverage to shove his other hand deeper inside.

The thug collapsed. If he wasnt dead, he would be soon.

Meanwhile, Rabbo stood in the doorway, his jaw hanging down and his fingers shaking.

Y-you he blubbered.

Xerxes took a step toward him. You made a bad choice today, he said.

By this time, the Singular Lethality spell had worn off, and his hand returned to its normal state.

He took another step toward Rabbo.

Stop right there, Rabbo said, and out from beneath his clothing he pulled a small hand-sized crossbow. It shook as he pointed it at Xerxes. The bolt was small, more like a dart than anything someone would call a crossbow bolt.

Are you kidding me? Xerxes said, grabbing another handful of crabnickel powder. You think thats going to stop me?

Yeah, you fucker! Navraj yelled. You see the kind of people I bring into my congregation? Infected by Xerxes courage, he inched forward, grabbed the cudgel that had been leaning against his chair, and brandished it above his shoulder.

Rabbo swung the miniature crossbow toward Navraj, then back toward Xerxes.

Neither of you fucking move, Rabbo said.

Or what? Xerxes asked.

Ill shoot you! Rabbo said, swiveling his aim back to Xerxes.

No you wont, Xerxes said. He felt certain in this assessment. Rabbo was terrified, and didnt seem like he was ready to shoot someone.

Navraj made a probing step in his direction, and Rabbo swung the crossbow back in his direction.

Xerxes kept tracing the Asgagu Isten rune.

Xerk, be careful, Katayoun said.

I know, he replied. Im just going to

Hey! Rabbo shouted. Are you casting a spell? Stop it right now!

He took the cloth.

Three, she said. Two. One. Now.

She yanked the dart out of Xerxes neck, and he felt a twinge of pain.

Oh Father, Navraj said. Theres so much blood. Its like a river. Oh my

Put pressure on it! Katayoun yelled.

Right.

A river of blood? Im not going to survive this, am I? Xerxes couldnt see what Katayoun was doing. Presumably trying to cast a spell. But as he felt the blood pumping out of him, he thought back to when Gem had lain in a muddy street in almost this same position. And it had only taken moments for him to slip away into death.

This is it, he thought. This is my payback for letting Gem die. And Bel.

Im sorry, Kat, he said, wondering how many more seconds he had before things went black, and he never woke up.

For what? she said back. Was she tracing the Balatu Isten rune? Would the spell work? Probably not. There wasnt enough time.

Tell Gandy Im sorry for being an idiot. Hes my best friend. And you have to get word to my parents. And my sister, Ahassy. Shes

Shut up, Katayoun said.

only eight, and she loves dolphins and

SHUT UP! Katayoun yelled.

W-what?

I said shut up.

Light shone, and Katayoun touched him. He felt tingling and warmth as his neck wound healed.

You can take the cloth away, Katayoun said to Navraj.

A few seconds later, the strange sensations passed. Xerxes lifted his hand and touched his neck. There was no hole. Only skin and a bit of blood.

She put her hand behind his neck and pulled him into a sitting position. I said youd be fine.

He pushed his fingers harder into his neck. There was no trace of pain.

Wow, he said. I I dont know what to say.

Worry about it later, she said. We have more pressing things to deal with. Like these dead bodies.