Knightqueen - Page 89

He threw the orb, but it hit the energy shield and bounced off it.

Carys quickly threw a ribbon of energy into the air and caught the orb. It hovered for a second, then she lowered it to the floor.

Trager let out an enraged screech. He swiveled, green eyes locking on her as he pulled a combat sword off his back.

Her gold sword formed in her hand. Gold lightning crackled along its blade.

“You will die here.” Her voice echoed through the pumping station. “Your plan will fail here.”

“No,” he hissed.

“You have failed.” She advanced. “The Gek’Dragar will be driven back. And I will ensure that you never hurt anyone again.”

He leaped at her, and Carys spun to meet him.

Their swords clashed. Her blade cut through his like it was made of fabric.

He stumbled back, shock on his face. He tossed the hilt to the ground and lifted his claws.

She launched a whirlwind of strikes. He tried to dodge, but her blade caught him several times. Deep slashes scored his armor across his chest. He heaved in air.

With a roar, he launched up and grabbed her arms. He spun and tossed her against the wall.

Carys hit, pain reverberating through her body, but a second later, it was gone. The rich energy flowing through her washed it away.

She rose. Trager scrambled across the floor, trying to snatch up the orb.

No. She ran and leaped.

For the Oronis. For Sten.

The Gek’Dragar spun. She saw his eyes go wide. He lifted the orb and threw it at her.

In a split second, she knew she couldn’t dodge.

Suddenly, a large form leaped in from the side. The body jumped between her and the orb.

No, Sten. Her heart swelled, rapping against her ribs.

The orb hit him, cracking open. The Blue Death washed over him like a cloud of angry ants. It absorbed into his body, and he dropped to the ground.

With a cry of outrage, Carys let energy spikes form in her hand. She tossed them at the Gek’Dragar. The three sharp, gold blades pierced Trager’s chest, pinning him to the wall. He died in an instant.

Carys raced to Sten.

She saw the blue running over him. His armor had crumbled and the veins under his skin bulged, turning bright blue. The bronze color had leached from his skin, turning a pale blue like ice.

“Sten!”

He turned his head toward her, and she saw that his green eyes were now bright blue.

“No! Sten, no.”

The pain was like icy fingers stabbing into his insides.

Sten tried to breathe, but it was like he had a heavy weight on his chest.

“Sten.” Carys dropped to her knees beside him, her face distraught.