Hive Queen Sinclair, Grayson (best pdf ebook reader for android txt) 📖

I’d shocked her still, she froze. Distress twisted her face as tears welled in her eyes. She bowed to me and shot up into the air. With one lingering glance, she flew through the broken window and out into the night.

“All right. Aspect, let’s give them hell.”

“I’m not one to take orders, knight. But I happen to like that one. Let’s feast on their blood!”

The door burst open, knocking aside the heavy pew I’d shoved in front of it.

All six of Lachrymal’s Chosen stood before us as they swept into the room, weapons drawn.

Oh, hell.

They took one look at me and then at the obelisk.

“Defiler!”

“Thief!”

“Forsaken!”

They all shouted at me, wide-eyed that the relic of their god was in the hands of a human. My hand went to my sword. This isn’t going to be easy.

I’d fought similar odds before, but my past foes were chumps compared to Lachrymal’s Chosen. They were the elite of the elite, warriors through and through. They deserved my respect, but I was about to give them my blade instead.

 

Warning! Forceful activation of Ability.

Chitin Armor.

A burning itch spread over my body as the chitin poured from beneath my skin. As black and glossy as an oil slick, it covered my body and wormed over my head. As it slithered over my hair and ears, a bright green slid over my eyes. The dim room lit up like I’d lit a torch, and I could make out every individual face of the warriors in front of me.

Most of them were men, but two of them were women. All of them held the rugged confidence only years of combat could grant.

They took a step back, surprise blossoming on their faces as I changed.

The Aspect took control and laughed, a grating, malicious laugh that only hinted at my actual voice. “Come to me, mortals. Let me taste the marrow of your lives!”

I drew my sword. Its muted black blade slid wordlessly from its sheath. The leaves of my hilt danced ethereally as the light hit it, and together, me and the monster in my heart went to war.

Chapter 18 - Another Time, Another Place

Eris

I wanted to sleep, but screaming and violent shaking wouldn’t let me rest.

Every time I closed my eyes, I was roughly shoved awake. I opened my bleary eyes to Gil kneeling over me, the others in the background.

“Eris, godsdamn it, stay awake!”

“Don’t wanna,” I said, waving him off, or I tried, but I couldn’t move.

Something lifted me off the ground, and then the cold blanket that draped around me was yanked off and replaced by a burning pain radiating from my stomach.

“It hurts.”

“I know it does, but just hold on.”

“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.” I wanted to scream; the pain was too much.

Five points of fire flared across my stomach, and I gurgled a half groan. “Looks like her chitin is plugging the hole and keeping her spine from separating. it’s the only reason she’s still alive, but blood is pooling inside her. She needs a health potion, and quickly!” Evelyn said.

“Looks like it,” a new voice said from somewhere outside of my line of sight. I couldn’t see them, could only stare at the too bright sky. “But she sustained the injury during the trial, and potions are forbidden.”

“Reina! Damn you! She’ll die if we don’t do anything!” Gil shouted, his heavy footsteps thudding away from me.

“Then she dies and proves she was unworthy of the mantle of Hive Queen.”

“No. Fuck you, I’m not going to watch one of my friends die in front of me. You can go to hell!”

Metal cleared leather, and everything got quiet fast. I’m so sleepy, but I need to stay awake. Gil told me I had to stay awake, and he wouldn’t lie to me. I fought the exhaustion and mana depletion and tried to summon my magic. I could heal my injury easily with a spell, but I only had drops left—not enough to control a single spider, let alone heal a grievous injury.

I was dying, and there was nothing I could do about it.

And the others were a second away from going to war with the Arachne to stop it.

“Stop!” I yelled, spitting out a mouthful of blood. I wasn’t going to let them kill themselves to help me. If I was dying, so be it. I was already dragging Sam with me; I couldn’t bear anyone else. I’m sorry, my love. But you can come back, and that’s enough for me. I’m sorry I won’t get to see you again. I love you.

I used the last of my dwindling magic to form a single blade of chitin down my finger, and I raised my hand to take my life so no one else would have to suffer for me.

I plunged the blade toward my throat, only for resistance to stop my hand just before I pierced my skin.

Evelyn let out a throaty chuckle, her iron grip wrapped around my arm. “None of that now, little queen. Don’t be so dramatic.”

“I won’t let anyone else get hurt for me,” I said as I struggled like a mewling kitten against her grasp.

“And you won’t,” she said, turning her head away from me. “No potions is the only rule, correct?”

“Correct,” Reina replied, her voice smug, superior.

“That’s all I need to know.” Evelyn knelt over me and pulled my head into her lap. I stared at her ethereal form though half-closed eyelids while the chill returned. Pins and needles crept up my fingers and toes, and once more, sleep called for me.

Evelyn brought her hand back into view, and she clutched a thin knife in her hand. She brought it to her wrist and split her skin with a fluid slice.