Free Rise of the Sparrows (Relics of Ar'Zac #1) by Sarina Langer Page A

the other dragged Rachael after him by her arm. She tried to get away, but it was no use. He was much taller than her, and even with his armour covering every part of his body she knew that he was much stronger than she was. Had she punched him right between his ribs he wouldn't have felt a thing. She tried to kick herself free but her legs only connected with fresh snow.
    There was only one way to get out of this. “Cephy! Do it—what are you waiting for!” Her nightmare echoed in her mind. The pain, the hopelessness, the terror. 
    The veiled demons.
    She refused to let him drag her to that place.
    Cephy stopped screaming at the sound of Rachael's voice.
    “Just do it!”
    A nearby tree caught fire. The man carrying Cephy laughed, and brought her up closer to his face pulling her up by her hair. By the look on her face Rachael guessed that she could smell his breath.
    “Was that supposed to hurt me, you little bitch? You ain't as dangerous as the commander told us!”
    It was the last thing he said before his head caught on fire. With a scream he dropped Cephy, the smell of burning flesh filling the air. Rachael's captor tightened his grip on her arm, twisting her around as he turned towards his friend.
    “Why you filthy little sh-” His hand let go of Rachael when his arm caught fire. Both men screamed in unison as they tried in vain to put out the flames. Rachael knew they would only stop burning if Cephy willed them to, and Cephy looked too terrified for any rational thought.
    “Run!” Cephy didn't need to be told twice. Rachael tried not to gag as boiling blood stained the floor and the first man dropped into the snow, his head a charred bloody mess.
    Too close to them Rachael heard the cries of more soldiers and that terrible voice of their commander as they took up their pursuit. The clanging of steel filled the air as they drew their swords, followed by the trampling of horse hooves. Rachael grabbed Cephy's hand and dashed off deeper into the woods, praying to whichever deity might listen that they would somehow make it out of this alive.
     

Chapter Twelve
     
    Aeron poured herself a steaming cup of tea, inhaling the rich fragrance before taking the first sip. To think that after all these years, the Fox was within reach. And it was bringing her the Sparrow! She had lived a long life waiting for prophecy to catch up with her, to come to life, and now, finally, it was doing just that right outside her front door. How she had waited! Her mother had prepared her well, almost two-hundred years ago. She had waited patiently, but now that she was so close to getting what she wanted, she was excited, even thrilled.
    Careful not to waste any of the aroma, she inhaled the scent of five different herbs and leaves. It was her favourite tea, fatal if not made properly, but so very useful when prepared by the right hands. Her hands. Her mother had taught her how, many years ago. It was the only thing she still had left of the woman, besides the dagger and her name. Aeron. The bringer of destruction. 'Maiden of Death', her mother had once called her. Aeron had revelled in it, had loved the power her mother had bestowed upon her. It was an important fate which she had been given, and now, finally, she was able to fulfil it. The first steps, vital precautions, she had already taken, but she couldn't be too careful. She had to succeed, no matter the cost. The sacrifices she had made on Kaethe had been small, but worth it. The Dark One shared her mind and soul – all she had to do now was wait for the right moment, and take it. Nothing was more important than her success in this.
    Once again, in her mind, Aeron reminded herself of the words her mother had force-fed her until the day she had killed her. The prophecy she needed to stop if she were to succeed. The ancient words were beautiful. Stunning perfection. Instructions for her, so she would know what had to be done.
    A smile played on her full lips. The wait was nearly