Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) Jessie Eaker (best reads txt) 📖

be exactly the same except you got a new body. But you’re finding that your charms don’t work anymore.”

Yonge took a step back toward his original body.

She cocked her head to one side and stepped toward him. “Be careful of offers that are too good to be true—because they are.”

Yonge took another step toward his old self, but a knife suddenly appeared in Lilith’s hand. She lunged forward and plunged it into the chest of Yonge’s old body. “Whoops! I slipped. But it shouldn’t be a problem since you didn’t want that body anyway.”

His eyes went wide in horror. She gave him a wicked smile and stepped closer. He backed up but was stopped by the edge of the vault.

“Take what you want and leave!” he yelled. “My guards will be here shortly, and you’ll be dead.”

Lilith shook her head. “I don’t think so. They all ran when the tapestry fell. I’m not sure you realize just how much panic you’ve caused. The few that haven’t run have all gone to protect the emperor. So no one will be coming to your aid.”

He tried to slide away and then bolted toward the door. Lilith easily caught him and threw him to the ground. “I’m sorry advisor person, but I can’t let you live. You can blame Wynn for this. I’m always having to clean up after him.” Lilith’s dagger flashed, and she sliced his throat.

As he reached for his throat, she patted his shoulder. “Believe me. I’m doing you a favor. The Collectivity would do much worse.”

She stood and wiped her blade on his clothes before lifting the Griffin’s Key from his belt and tucking it into her own.

We made a dash for the door, but they easily caught us. Cabrina was too heavy for me to hold any longer, and they let me lay her on a bench nearby. I thanked the Creator that Spraggel wasn’t with us. At least he would be spared.

“Now it’s time to do the final sweeping up,” Lilith grinned as she pulled her sword. “I’m feeling generous today. I’ll make this quick.”

Zofie raised her head. “Risten. Do you remember our conversation two years ago on the riverbank? The one in the spring where we saw that deer and her fawn.”

Lilith looked puzzled. “Yes, it’s in her memories. Speculation on which one of you would have children first.”

Zofie smiled. “I won.”

Lilith stared at her a moment, contemplating the information. “If you’re expecting to get some kind of reaction from me, you’re mistaken. The Risten inside is gone. She couldn’t take it anymore and fled to the recesses of her mind. I’ll occasionally hear thoughts of weeping, but nothing more. She’s totally broken.”

Zofie’s expression turned grim. “That may be true, but I wanted Risten to know.” The princess frowned. Her eyes hardened, and behind them I could see an anger—a controlled rage—the like I had never seen from her before. You could almost see it burning behind her eyes. “One day, you will regret ever perfecting her.”

Lilith snorted. “I’ve enhanced hundreds of beings, both human and not. Rode them until they were a mere husk.” She leaned closer. “And I don’t regret a single one.”

“You won’t win,” I said. “Humans have beaten your kind before, and we’ll do it again.”

Lilith’s lips spread into a condescending smile. “Typical human. Believing you’re better than everyone. There is no way you can stop the invasion. Unlike your kind, we have learned from our mistakes. This time, we’ve prepared for the worst.”

“Then why haven’t you just taken over already. Seems we’re a little more of a problem than you thought.”

She shrugged. “Not for long. And I’m about to eliminate a few of those problems.” Lilith considered us with wicked amusement. “Now which one to start with?” She looked over to the still unconscious Cabrina. “That one I’ll take back with me. I see you’ve already sealed her, but that shouldn’t be a problem. She’ll make a fine addition to our army.” Then her gaze turned back to me. “And I’ll have to wait on you. The Collectivity is dying to get their hands on your curse.”

She looked at Fumiko. “I guess I’ll start with the eastern bitch.”

Fumiko struggled, but the men holding her were too strong for her weakened state. They forced her to kneel while Lilith drew her sword.

“Please don’t, Risten,” pleaded Zofie.

Lilith stepped over to Zofie and backhanded her. “Will you shut up. You’re getting on my nerves.”

Zofie glared at her.

Lilith nodded. “Better.”

She turned back to Fumiko.

Lilith shook her head. “I was so hoping I would get to fight you, but I can see you’re just not up to it.”

I raised my head, knowing what I had to do. “Then fight me,” I said.

Lilith looked up in surprise.

“No!” yelled Fumiko. “You’re not ready.”

Despite quaking in my boots, I turned my most confident smile on Lilith. “Unless you’re afraid.”

Her eyes drew down in anger. “No one says I’m afraid.” She turned to her men. “Release him,” she commanded. “And give him a sword. Don’t any of you dare to interfere.” She grinned. “I’ll tell the Collectivity that I had to kill you in self-defense. Hopefully, they’ll be happy with your corpse.”

The men holding my arms released me, and I staggered forward a 10:29 PM 3/13/2021step. A moment later, a sword was presented, hilt first.

“Take it,” Lilith commanded. “Fight me. And if you don’t, I’ll strike you down where you stand.”

She pulled her weapon lightning-fast and lunged at me. I grabbed the presented sword and swung it up just in time. The force of the blow made our blades ring.

Lilith smiled. “You know you can’t win. Risten taught you the few moves that you know, and I know a few hundred more. I have been fighting in both men and women’s bodies