Obsidian Ridge - Jess Lebow [101]
There was no sign of Mariko or Evelyne. But that didn't matter right now. Quinn would find them-all in good time.
For now, the only thing he wanted was a clear shot at the ruler of the Obsidian Ridge. «
Quietly, he lowered himself to the next perch, then the next. The buzzing coveted his tracks, and he reached the floor very quickly. Staying close to the wall, he circled. When he was fully behind the throne, he approached, slowly, carefully, until he was crouched right behind Xeries.
He paused to relish this moment, something Quinn had never done before. Up until now, killing in the name of Erlkazar was something he had done out of loyalty and honor. It was his job, and one that he took no great pleasure in.
But he was going to enjoy this.
Lifting his left hand high in the air, he swung with all of his might.
He shouted-uncontrolled rage spilling out as he came down on Xeries's twisted body.
His blades slipped through the arch magus's hunched back, viciously slashing off a huge hunk of flesh. Blood and pus shot from the wound, and Quinn's gauntlet carried on, slamming into the throne. So fueled by anger and hate was this attack that his blades buried themselves in the thick obsidian and plowed right on through.
The throne shook like it had been hit by a sledgehammer.
Chips of stone rattled to the floor, mixed with bits of flesh and trails of blood.
Xeries screamed, his yowls of pain echoing again in the confined chamber. The arch magus rolled forward and turned to face his attacker.
Quinn circled the throne, his long sword in his right hand. "I am here to collect on your sins, Xeries," he said, closing the distance.
Xeries's eyes were wide, and his breathing heavy, labored. He backed away, limping and crouched over. "Do not come any closer. I'm warning you." Despite the echo of his voice, he sounded panicked.
"Are you afraid, Xeries? Do I frighten you?" Quinn made a sudden jerking move forward, taunting his prey.
Xeries jolted back, startled.
"You are wise to be afraid." Pulling the blade of his sword closer to his chest, Quinn threw his body forward into a tumbling roll.
Xeries scrambled backward, trying to get out of the way.
Quinn unfurled in front of him, coming out of his roll with a leap, flying at the arch magus with his long sword cocked over his head. The blade came down, and Xeries ducked, but not before Quinn cleaved another huge chunk of the hump from his back.
The lord of the Obsidian Ridge let out a second painful wail as another piece of his decrepit, deformed body fell to the floor.
The doors to throne room burst open, and a flood of Xeries's brutes charged in. They washed over the floor like a huge toxic wave, sloshing up and over the dais, covering the broken throne as if it were a rock caught in the surf.
Unable to take on so many in such a large space, Quinn was pushed back. Reaching the wall, he scaled the jagged stone in three huge bounds.
"I'll come for you again, Xeries." And with that, he slipped into his shortcut, disappearing from view.
+++++
Arch Magus Xeries retreated into the private chamber off of his throne room. His wife lay motionless on the slab. Princess Mariko stood beside the coffins, examining his previous wives. She turned around when he entered.
"Looks like you've had a run-in with Quinn," said the mimmio.
"Is that what you call that disease?" spat Xeries, his echoed voice dripping with venom.
He trailed blood and pus behind him as he limped. It tan down his back and off his legs, and he could feel the squish of each footstep as he went. Reaching a cabinet near the slab table, he retrieved an alabaster globe and quickly pulled the top off of it. "
Inside was a smooth opalescent salve, which he scooped up in his fingers and smeared on his back-the remnants of his hump. The burning throb that had spread across his flesh was cooled, and he could feel the skin on his back tighten