Free Fragile Reign (Mortal Enchantment Book 2) by Stacey O'Neale Page A

that!
    Reaching behind, I released my sword from its sheath. A few of the closest hounds seethed in pain. I swatted the air a few times, forcing them backwards. I was about to go after Darius when something really heavy knocked me off my feet. My vision was blurry. It took me a second to get back to normal. When I could focus again, I saw three growling hounds ready to attack. Anger fueled my power as I shot several fireballs into their faces. It didn’t stop them, but it did stun them.
    I couldn’t beat them with brute force. As a group, they could easily take me out. I also couldn’t use too much of my power. Each burst of fire would weaken me until there was nothing left. Instead, I focused on my sword skills. The hounds weren’t known for their agility. I kept my movements quick, never staying in the same spot too long. I managed to slice my blade across the eyes of one of them, blinding him. One down and two to go. Seeing what I had just done, most of the watching hounds cowered away. Apparently, I had proven to be a worthy adversary.
    High on adrenalin, it took me a moment to realize all the hounds were silent. I thought of Marcus. Picturing the last image I had of him sent a cold chill down my spine. Was he dead? Fear took over as I pushed through the mob. Two motionless hounds lay in a pool of blood. I forced my way to the front, kneeling to get a closer look. Both hounds shrunk back to their human forms. Each was covered in a mixture of dirt, sweat, and blood. Cuts and bruises covered their arms and legs.
    I crawled over to Marcus, flipping him onto his back. He had a pretty severe bite mark right over his Adam’s apple. Relief spilled over my shoulders when I saw that his throat was still intact. I put my ear on his chest, listening for a heartbeat. I couldn’t hear his heart, but I could tell he was breathing. Somehow, he had survived the attack. “Marcus? Stay with me, buddy.”
    Some of the other hounds had circled around Darius. One of them turned around, and in disbelief said, “He’s dead. Darius is dead.”
    Marcus had done the impossible. He was the new leader of the hounds. But would he live to see it? I picked him up, heaving him over my shoulder. Even in his mortal form, his weight was almost too much to bear. I fought through the pain. If it meant saving his life, I would carry him from one end of this planet to the other. He was all the family I had.
    I ran back to the pathway with Marcus over my shoulder. My legs and shoulders burned while I panted heavily. One more step was all I kept thinking. “When I get you out of this, I’m putting your ass on a diet!” I joked, unsure if he could hear me.
    Overheated, the occasional night breeze was welcome. The moonlight lit my way as I finally approached the pathway. I pressed forward, entering through the circling ball of fire. I headed toward the only elemental that could save my best friend: Orion. The woodland faeries were well-known for their healing potions. Judging by what I saw on the outside, Marcus would need all the help he could get.
    The pathway opened in front of the massive flesh-colored caves resting in the center of the woodland territory. Hundreds of doors and windows had been cut into the exterior walls, winged faeries flew all around the outside, as if they were guarding the place. No elemental court had ever challenged them. Not only were they known for their potions, but they were also the best metalworkers. Even my sword was forged within those walls. A gift from Orion, meant to congratulate me on my impending ascension.
    I was about to enter the caves main entrance when I was stopped by two brownies. They crossed their swords, blocking our way. Their long arms were exposed, skin as coarse as tree bark. With hair like dangling vines, they looked more like walking trees than faeries. They spoke to each other in a language I didn’t recognize. Beyond their own kind, Orion told me he was the only one who could understand