Obsidian Ridge - Jess Lebow [118]
Quinn spun twice then landed hard on his side, sliding across the slick floor and coming to a stop when he collided with the wall of the chamber. His back and hands were cut to shreds on the sharp edges of the ruined ruby scattered all over the floor. And his ribs ached from the impact with the wall.
The first ruby, no longer attached to the other two, sputtered and shook. It wobbled in time with its low, vibrating hum. The tip and base moved in opposite directions, spinning in ever-widening circles.
Quinn rolled onto his back, dazed from the fall. He opened his eyes to see Jallal looming over him.
"Never beat you, eh, bodyguard?" Jallal was breathing quite hard, but a smile crossed his parched lips. The gums in between his teeth were bright red from the blood he had coughed up.
He lifted his sword up over his head, in preparation of a killing blow. "Any last words?"
Quinn's eyes grew wide, then he pulled his arms over his face. "Behind you!"
The final ruby had turned itself completely sideways. The oval-shaped gemstone swung quickly end to end, looking like a massive floating disk. Orange light flashed off the facets of the ruby, and it hurled itself from its perch.
A heavy warbling sound filled the chamber, and Jallal spun around just as the gemstone hit him. The sharp, spinning man-sized ruby connected with his belly and carried on through. Jallal was cut into tiny little pieces as if he'd been hit repeatedly by a swinging guillotine. Chunks of flesh and tattered bits of bone were flung everywhere as the ruby impacted the wall, taking out a huge chunk of obsidian, and bounced back into the middle of the room.
Shards of stone and bits of ruined flesh covered Quinn, but that was the least of his worries. As soon as the last ruby landed on the ground, the entire Obsidian Ridge lurched downward. Quinn was once again lifted into the air as the citadel fell out from under him.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Korox slapped aside an assassin with the flat of his blade and pressed in. He'd had enough killing for one day, and didn't want to strike down any more of his countrymen if it could be helped.
Breaking bones and bloodying noses, however, was still within bounds.
With the pommel of his sword, he struck a half-ore between the neck and the shoulder, dropping him to his knees. With the palm of his other hand he smashed a half-elf in the jaw. The bone made a satisfying crunch as the assassin stumbled back, his face in his hands.
From across the battlefield, Korox had seen the Matron cast the magic circle that held out Xeries's beasts. He had watched the obsidian creatures turn away from her and come after his men, and he had wondered if her spell would keep him at bay as well. But whatever enchantment she had prayed for, it apparently didn't work against kings or the warriors of Erlkazar.
Seeing his target ahead, Korox grabbed another assassin by the back of his head and threw him aside like a child's toy. His men had surrounded and taken most of the other assassins as he stepped up beside the Matron and grabbed her by the throat.
"You are going to answer for this treachery," he said, holding her in his powerful grip.
She took hold of his hand, but didn't struggle. Her touch felt somehow warm and familiar. She looked up at him, and he down on her, staring deep into her eyes. He recognized those eyes.
Pulling the veil from her face, he felt the sting of betrayal once more. "Divian."
"Yes, Korox." The senator scowled at him, her eyes narrowing.
"It was you." The king put the pieces together. He thought back on the mysterious attack only a few nights before. Vasser had saved his life from an unseen assailant. "You were the one who tried to kill me in my own chambers. I thought you had been attacked, but it was you. You simply missed."
She gripped his hand in both of hers, but she did not try to pry herself free. It would have been a useless attempt even if she had. His long fingers wrapped almost completely around her neck.