The Curse Heir

ngs raw from smoke and blood, each breath a rasp that tasted of iron. My body was broken bruised ribs, legs trembling, vi

eamed like wolves' teeth, hungry and unrelenting. Their leader stepped forw

ed but steady, full of smug finality. "The

dows spilling like snakes twisting beneath my skin. My head throbbed as t

"Now! Let me out. Let me

ng myself to resist. Not here. Not now. If I

t its edge like a promise of death. My grip f

rest s

with speed that made my heart stutter. The assassins stiffened. Thei

ss. The next a whisp

Another spun, blade flashing, only for a curved streak of steel to split his ches

one still commanding but tinged n

ded, louder: "Who

ost of her face, shadows clinging stubbornly to her features. In her right hand gleamed a sl

aos-cold, smooth, carrying li

breathes. I wondered when t

for the assassins.

ed leader and this stranger. One, braver or more desperate tha

oved

l-and his weapon shattered in two. The second stroke opened his throat before h

rcle f

behind his mask.

rged to

lowed the

erserker. She was something else-something honed. Her blade whispered through the air, never wasted,

oot pivoted, cloak swirling as her saber curved back in a blind strik

orward, swinging the rifle like a club. The stock cracked against his

"Weak! You'll die cowering while she

-my father's voice, rough but

hook, but

ainst her curved saber. Sparks scattered, the runes on both we

demanded, pressing

er hood hiding her f

s armor. Blood spattered. He staggered but snarled, rallying with a brutal counter. His cursed blade blazed red, clea

blood dripping into my eyes. If

me, her hand like iron

feet," sh

ed through my ribs, but she ignored my gasp. With a sing

ov

e despite my weight. Behind us, the leader roared i

lowed us was his masked face twisted in rag

ng until the pursuit

ep made my legs tremble as if they might splinter beneath me. At last, she shoved me against the trunk of an anci

in no shadows lingered

atting my face. My voice cracked when I mana

her face. But in the dark, her eyes g

he said smoothly. "You

u drag me out of there, kill half a squad,

ive because I decided you were usef

er voice left no s

wipe her blade. The runes pulsed faintly with each

red, half to myself. "It

ndness. "You're not as dull as you look. Yes, the Thornblade t

The sigil pulsed faintly, as i

t," I said, harsh

y hand. "Of course. O

voice dropping, colde

s a noose. One day, it will tighten, a

. "I won't let

p, and cruel. "You say

e weight of her words. I shifted, unease

uestion that burned in

d over her blade, thoughtful. Then she rose in a smo

ake this fo

her jaw, the cold gleam in her violet eyes. Her

d the curse. And when you

hed the hilt

ll tak

l. My body trembled with pain, but he

was. I was spared only

m, mocking, whispering its

, I wondered which of

ins who hu

who had jus