XLI. SHARD OF HER MANE

  The beast slammed into her side. Admrilia was airboard in an instance, flying off the landing. They crashed into the hard earth, pain lacing up her hip. Admrilia struggled for purchase as the beast pinned her onto her back. Sharp claws dug into her flesh. Admrilia crabbed to her side, shuffling out from under the beast. She grabbed her spear, raising it just in time as the aker lunged for her throat.

  Gods below. She’s a fucking lionness.

  Admrilia had no time to register the information as the lioness slashed down, dropping her spear. The lioness roared and charged, shoving her against the wall. Admrilia flung her elbow down onto the lioness’ snout in punishing blows. Gold eyes narrowed in anger. The lioness rammed again, her teeth finding her raised forearm. Howling in pain, Admrilia punched the lioness with her free hand.

  The lioness loosened her teeth, only to shove her to the floor. The aker forced her full weight onto Admrilia’s chest. Admrilia’s hand fumbled for her spear, but it was just out of reach. She cowered as the lioness went for her throat.

  “Argenti!”

  A pot exploded against the lioness’ head. Admrilia capitalized on the animals startelement, and shoved out from underneath her. Admrilia grabbed her spear, whirling around just as the lioness lunged. Admrilia jumped onto the lioness’ back. Admrilia struggled to hold on as the aker thrashed. She brought her spear’s tip against the aker’s throat. “Change back you fucking woman. Change back!”

  “Stop! Let her go.”

  Admrilia kept her eyes glued on the lioness as it bucked beneath her.

  “Argenti!” Alexandros shouted.

  Admrilia momentarily let her eyes dart up to the second floor. Lero was standing over the landing, his khoshep against Flavius’ throat. Alexandros stood off to the side, unarmed and cradling his torso. How had he disarmed them so easily?

  Admrilia steel her voice. “Let him go soldier.”

  Lero-Uro scoffed. “No. You want the star, but are you willing to sacrifice a man for it? An eye for an eye?”

  No, she wasn’t, and the damned soldier knew it. Admrilia grit her teeth. “I should kill you both myself.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Lero tapped Flavius’ chin with the blunt edge of his blade. Her neptori’s eyes went wide with shock. “You could try.”

  Admrilia grit her teeth. “What do you want, Lero-Uro?”

  “I want protection. For my sisters, my nephew, and my mother! When the wrath of the Conqueror descends upon us, and it will, you must swear by your god that you will protect my House.”

  The lioness stopped thrashing momentarily, as if stunned.

  “You are being awfully presumptuous.” Admrilia said.

  Lero’s khoshep dug into Flavius’ neck, drawing blood. “Try me.”

  “Argenti.” Alexandros whimpered. “Please.” Admrilia’s eyes darted up to him. His hand was covered in sticky blood. He was in no condition to fight two kerai in his state. He could very easily bleed out. Admrilia ground her molars together, her eyes darting back to Lero-Uro. His amber eyes never left hers. The damned soldier…

  Admrilia wedged the spear further underneath the beasts neck. “I will agree to your terms, Lero-Uro, but even you must understand the risk of trying Ashenian mercy.”

  Lero removed the khoshep from Flavius’ neck and stepped back. “Believe me, I’m aware.”

  “Now call off your sister.”

  “Bring me the star.” The lioness tensed beneath her as Lero walked past Alexandros and made his way down the ladder. He handed over the blade, hilt first.

  The hilt was bronze, with a cracked leather grip. The blade was dark as midnight, made of the same unearthly material as the wyrdstone. Its surface reflective with oranges, reds, and yellows as if a flame was frozen in time. A lioness ran along its length. Admrilia’s heart sang. This was it. The star of Sachmis. She had found it.

  Victory was hers. The Ashenian Empire was hers.

  The lioness stopped thrashing beneath her, as if stunned. Admrilia glanced up at Lero. “Call off your sister.”

  Lero shook his head. “I cannot. She is deep in the Tuat. Only she can claw herself out.”

  Admrilia did not know what the Tuat was, but it only confirmed her theory that Nia-Uro had no control of the wyrd that flowed through her body. Admrilia tightened her grip on the star, sensing the beast’s agitation. She held the dagger against the lioness’ throat. “Change back, Nia-Uro.” She demanded. The beast thrashed beneath her, biting at her hand. Admrilia slapped her snout. “Change back!” Admrilia demanded again. She searched out for the wyrd, willing it so.

  The aker stilled. Slowly, fur melded into skin. Claws retreated into hand. Admrilia’s knees pressed against bare torso. Admrilia stepped over the naked woman who had nearly mauled her.

  Nia-Uro sat up, drawing her knees to her chest. “Lero.” She whispered. “What have you done?”

  Tears streamed down her brother’s cheeks. “I’m sorry sister. I played the only card left. Mercy.”