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

noticed a kid in the goat pen, but there had been none. To me, its gait seemed more like... I grinned in understanding.

Lilith pointed to the kid with her knife. “Do something with that.”

I nodded and slowly bent down to pick it up. As I lifted the animal, I had my suspicion confirmed.

“Uhh... Lilith dear. I think this is actually for you.”

She wheeled to face me. “What?”

But I simply threw the kid at her face. Fumiko’s illusion fell away to reveal one very pissed off cat.

And then, my curse’s bad luck took over.

Lilith struggled with the animal, quickly shoving it away, where Mischief deftly landed on his feet. The movement caused Lilith to stagger back, catching the bench with the back of her knees. She lost her balance, tittered, and fell backward, colliding hard with the table. The table decided to give up and collapsed, spilling its contents onto the floor—which included the two buckets of water. She tried to catch herself but stepped on a cup which rolled under her foot. She staggered again, and stepping into the pool of water, slipped with both of her feet flying out from beneath her. She landed hard on her back, with her head bouncing off the stone hearth. Momentarily stunned, she lay unmoving.

That was interesting, I mused. My curse hadn’t caused that kind of calamity in quite some time.

Lilith groaned and rolled her head. I grimaced in disappointment. Creator! That wasn’t going to hold her for long.

I immediately went to Zofie and grabbed the knife she held to her throat. Glancing down at it, I briefly considered using it on Lilith. But Nadine’s plea to save her daughter sprang to my mind. That was Risten’s body. Killing one would kill the other. There was no way I could do it. I threw away the knife.

Cabrina showed up right beside me. I didn’t hesitate to put Zofie’s hand in hers and shove both of them toward the door. “Get to the woods!” I whispered.

Cabrina nodded once and pulled Zofie behind her.

I looked around the interior, wondering how Fumiko had managed to get them out. But despite their head start, it would not be enough for Zofie. I needed to give them a few more seconds to get away.

By the time I turned around, Lilith was already getting to her feet. And there was death in her eyes. She pulled her sword and charged.

I didn’t dare engage her with a sword. I trusted Fumiko’s assessment that I couldn’t beat her. I looked around for something to use as a shield, when I spotted Lilith’s hat hanging by the door. It was the same one she had used to open the portal to escape from the castle’s crypt. I briefly considered it. Would it work for me?

I quickly grabbed it and stepped out the door. Lilith was right behind me, raising her sword to strike. I tossed the hat on the ground just in front of her. As soon as it hit the floor, a person-sized portal opened on the floor...

And a very surprised Lilith stepped into it. She landed hard against the lip closest to me but was unable to find anything to hold on to. She slipped inside. I could hear her cursing as the portal closed after her.

I immediately turned to run after the others. Zofie had said that it was only a short-range portal, so Lilith was likely still nearby. We weren’t out of danger yet.

As I ran, I had to admit that having one’s luck bent for you certainly did have its advantages. I just prayed that there wasn’t something horrible coming to balance things out.

It didn’t take long to catch up with Cabrina and Zofie. Fumiko had joined them and was trying to urge them faster. Only, she wasn’t doing so well herself. She grimaced with every step and was favoring her right side.

“What happened to you?” I asked.

“Later.” Fumiko pointed toward the pasture. “I sent Docila and the others on ahead. She said you’d know where to meet her.”

And indeed, I did. The ruins. With its protection, it would be difficult for them to find us.

Assuming we reached it in time.

Unfortunately, Wort was still out there somewhere looking for us. And Creator knew where Lilith was right now. My bracelet was warming on my wrist again, which meant trouble wasn’t far away.

Fumiko echoed my thoughts. “We need to move faster.”

I did the only thing I could think of. I stopped and pulled Zofie toward me. “Forgive me, Princess.” I then bent and put her over my shoulder. She was heavy, feeling more like a sack of potatoes than a person, but I thought I could manage.

We then resumed at a fast trot and quickly made it to the forest. I thought we were in the clear, when the bracelet on my wrist blazed red hot.

I immediately grabbed Cabrina and ducked behind a tree. Fumiko didn’t hesitate and followed my lead. Only a heartbeat later, I heard a thunk as an arrow shaft embedded itself in the tree where I had just been standing. If Abe hadn’t warned me, that very well could have been in my back.

“Thank you, Abe,” I muttered.

“You’re welcome,” whispered Zofie.

My eyes went wide. I looked to Cabrina and Fumiko to make sure it hadn’t been them, but they appeared as shocked as I was. Was Zofie back? No, I didn’t think so. She still hung loosely over my shoulder. I heard the crunch of leaves and knew I didn’t have time to figure this out. Fumiko looked exhausted and had a hand on her ribs. But she pulled her sword anyway, ready to take him on. I caught her eye and signaled her to wait. Wort had surely reloaded by now, so he would shoot her as soon as she emerged.