Obsidian Ridge - Jess Lebow [84]
That was all they had time for as the rush of the mob came on.
Quinn and Mariko worked back to back, circling around and beating back advances. They moved as one, never having fought together before but somehow reading each other's movements. They swirled, swords clanging, metal clashing, the flesh of their enemies cut to ribbons.
They made quick work of the first half-dozen guards before the third and final Elixir still erupted. Only four guards remained on their feet. Jallal bent over the now-motionless frame of his brother. Their entire operation was up in smoke.
Standing, Jallal pulled his sword and came right at Quinn. "You killed me once, and now you've killed my brother." He swung wildly as he came on, his words an unearthly growl. "It's your turn to die."
Jallal's guards scattered, disappearing into the open doorways-of the mansion as he pressed the attack. Gone was his calculating, controlled demeanor, replaced by the chaotic machinations of a desperate man, bent on revenge.
"Watch you bleed! Cut you to pieces! Get my brother back!" shouted Jallal, his eyes shifting madly, burning with hatred.
Quinn, still in his smallclothes, dodged each swing, giving ground and working his way into the courtyard. Flames burned at his back and he circled, giving the wild man in front of him plenty of room.
Princess Mariko slipped in behind Jallal, flanking him.
"Kill you… both!" muttered Jallal, his face turning red. He swung his blade in huge, careless arcs, turning first toward Quinn then back toward Mariko. He grunted and growled, putting everything he had into each swing.
His blade closed on Mariko, and she had to stutter step to get back in time. Quinn dived into the gap, but the demon-man was quick, and he turned, swinging back. His exotic blade rang as it sliced the tip from Quinn's long sword.
"I'm going to take you apart, little by little, and I'm going to enjoy every single slice." Jallal lunged at Quinn.
A loud crack and thud echoed off the stone walls, sounding like a pumpkin being cleaved in two. Jallal stopped his attack. His hairy, muscular arms dropped to his side, and he stood up rail straight. A heartbeat later, he fell to the ground, a dagger buried to the hilt in the center of his forehead-right between his horns.
"Both brothers dead," said Evelyne, appearing from the shadows. "That'll teach you to not pay your debts." She crossed the courtyard to retrieve her dagger from Jallal Tasca's skull, a smug look on her face. "All that's left is to get out of here."
Mariko spun on the newcomer, raising her sword. "Drop it!" she warned. Her eyes scanned the courtyard, searching for any of the other guards.
Evelyne put her hand on her hip, examining Mariko but unfazed by the princess's aggressive stance. "I see now why you're here, Quinn." She gave him a devilish smirk. "I'd risk my life for her too."
Mariko partially lowered her blade, still on guard. "You know this woman?"
Quinn nodded, lifting his hand to stay her blade. "It's all right, Mariko. This is Evelyne. She… lives here. She helped me find you."
Evelyne offered her hand to Mariko, stepping in much closer. "A pleasure to meet you, Princess."
Reluctantly, Mariko held out her hand. Evelyne bent down and kissed it, caressing the princess's palm with her fingers.
Mariko looked at Quinn, but he just shrugged.
With a small amount of effort, the princess managed to pull back her hand, and she took a step away from Evelyne. "Very well. Then let's get out of here."
Quinn held out his arms, indicating his state of near nakedness. "Not without my things," he replied.
Evelyne pointed to one of the open windows looking out onto the courtyard, not taking her eyes off the princess. "It's in there. I saw the fat one stash it behind the stone facing."
Quinn looked at Mariko, waiting to see her reaction. The princess crossed her arms over her chest then nodded. Hurrying to where Evelyne pointed, Quinn stepped through an open stone doorway. True to her word, there, on top of a crate