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

long before your grandfather was even dreamt of.”

She shifted her movement and came at me from another angle, which I barely parried. But she didn’t stop, and the blows kept coming. She nicked me on the shoulder. Then on the leg. She would laugh at each one. All I could do was defend.

And grow more frustrated.

I couldn’t access the skills Fumiko had given me. I didn’t know what was wrong.

It had seemed so easy during my practices. But now, I couldn’t find them. It was like the skills were lost. It was likely from the stress of the situation. Too many things to think about. Too much at risk. My brain went immediately to the old patterns while ignoring the new.

Lilith was going to win.

“Coren,” I heard Fumiko behind me. Her voice was cool and calm. “Jiaying’s lesson.”

I parried another blow. Why was Fumiko calling that out to me? The skills wouldn’t come. All I could think about was Risten kicking my butt every time I practiced with her. She was going to do it again.

Jiaying.

She had been the one that taught Fumiko the forms she had missed. My eyes went wide. Those forms were exactly what I needed.

Lilith paused, and I stepped back. I knew from my numerous practice sessions with Risten, this was what she did before launching her final attack. I only had one chance left to beat her.

I focused on the memory. I could see young Jiaying standing before me, her expression determined, her form excellent, and her stick held high.

It was like looking in a mirror.

A mirror.

Suddenly my body moved into the right form. My head tilted up a bit more, my feet slid apart ever so slightly, and my sword slowly came up into a vertical position. It felt so right.

I smiled.

Lilith gave me a puzzled look.

But this time, it was my turn.

I attacked.

Lilith was taken off guard. She danced back, but I followed, forcing her to counter and putting her on the defensive. I flowed flawlessly from one form to another. I paused, and she stepped back.

Lilith glanced down at her arm, where a single slice, a scratch really, was just starting to turn red. Lilith turned to me in shock. “How?”

I couldn’t help but grin. “A very good friend taught me.”

Lilith roared and charged. I parried but immediately returned to the offensive. The shock was evident on her face.

We continued to fight, but as we traded blows, I realized I was tiring. While I may have had the skills, my body was nowhere near as well trained. It was a war of attrition, which I was going to lose.

I needed another solution.

Lilith pulled back, and we circled each other.

“Abe,” I barely whispered. “Can Zofie transform?”

Definitely not. Her pregnancy nullifies her curse. It’s completely inactive.

“What about your ability to change luck?”

I dare not access it. The princess made me use it liberally to save your butt. She has unfortunately built up a deficit. If I’m not careful, something really bad will happen.

Lilith and I continued to circle, each looking for an opening. There had to be something else. “What about Lilith? Can I steal that curse?”

I heard a surprised gasp from Fumiko as I passed in front of her. She must have overheard me.

You’re not asking for much. He paused for a moment before finally saying. I’m not sure.

Abe was obnoxious most of the time, but I’d never heard him be unsure.

I could see Zofie off to the side where the men still held her. Her eyes widened as she listened in on our conversation. She slowly shook her head.

Abe continued. I wasn’t made for taking a curse as complex as a Dark Avenyts. There could be unintended consequences.

It might even break me.

Lilith lunged, and we traded a few more blows before separating once again. She was testing me. Looking for a weakness.

“Got any better ideas?” I asked Abe.

Ideas? I’ve got lots of ideas. Like how I should have never gotten involved with you. Or maybe I should have found a way to have the princess as my host instead. Even Fumiko would have been better. All you are is a monkey-brained trouble magnet. He gave a big sigh. Creator no, you stupid piece of meat, I don’t have a better idea. That’s what I hate about this.

“Can you do it?”

Lilith and I traded another quick set of blows before once more stepping back. I could tell she was about to do something.

He gave an almost human sigh. I can try. But it will take longer than a normal curse. You’ll need to touch her and hold on for at least ten seconds.

“You’re kidding me? That’s an eternity.”

I don’t make this stuff up. Not only is she a massive curse, but she has locked herself tightly into her body. It will take time to get her out. Assuming I can do it at all.

Zofie looked over at the guard holding her, sizing him up. I hoped she wasn’t going to try something.

I glanced over Lilith’s shoulder, and for an instant, locked eyes with Fumiko. She gave a slight nod.

Lilith paused, and we glared at each other. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Now or never.

I took a deep breath. This will be the longest ten seconds of my life.

“Let’s end this!” I shouted and raised my sword.

I charged.

I prayed to the Creator that I could do it.

While I tried to make an opening, we continued to circle and trade blows. Over Lilith’s shoulder, Fumiko came into view. I could see her looking at me. Her body was tensing, subtly shifting her position. I got the feeling she was getting ready to move.

Zofie lunged forward