Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(52)

“She didn’t realize she could lose her magic,” he said. “She still believes she’s capable of anything, including outsmarting the Heks power source deep within our world.”

“Is that why you opened the mines?”

“Yes. She insists she can obtain power if we dig deep enough to find it.”

“I think the world would be better without Skog Heks.”

“Perhaps, but then the balance of power will be off.” He opened the door, revealing half a dozen guards in the hallway waiting for us. “Now if you’ll accompany me, we are going to the tower.” He tilted his head down so no one could see his face as he stepped into the corridor, his cape billowing behind him.

We entered the great hall. Skog Heks leaned on a walking stick in the middle of the vast room. She smiled, revealing her decaying brown teeth. “Do we know where it is?”

Morlet reached back and grabbed my arm, pulling me forward. “We’re on our way to the tower. I promise we’ll have the location shortly.” His fingers dug into my skin, and I realized he was afraid of the evil witch.

She wobbled over and backhanded me across my cheek. My head flew to the side from the impact. Instinct took over, and I raised my hands, forcing all of my power at her.

She screamed and stumbled backwards. “Stupid girl!” she chided.

Morlet pinned my arms down, blocking my power with his own. The evil witch ran at me. She shoved her thumbs against the base of my neck, making it difficult to breathe. My vision blurred.

“No,” Morlet insisted, “you can’t kill her yet.”

Skog Heks didn’t loosen her grip. Morlet pried her thumbs off, and she reluctantly halted her assault. My knees buckled as I gasped for air. Morlet grabbed me, keeping me upright.

“Let her fall to the ground,” the witch said, seething with rage.

He let go, and I tumbled to the floor. Skog Heks kicked me. A searing pain shot through my side. I reached out to grab her foot to trip her, but Morlet stepped on my wrist. The witch jumped on top of me, pulling my hair and hissing at me.

I twisted my hips and flipped on top of her, pinning her down. Morlet grabbed me from behind, lifting me off her. He held me against his body while I thrashed my arms and legs, trying to break free.

Skog Heks scrambled to her feet, her eyes wild, skin flushed. “I want her in my chamber.”

“No,” Morlet responded. “I’m taking her to the tower so we can finish this.”

Her shoulders rose and fell as she stared at me with hatred in her dark eyes.

“Do I need to remind you that I am the one with your magic? If you want it back, stand down.”

Her head jerked back, startled. “You do not order me around,” she snapped. “Fine. Let’s go to the tower, but I’m going to play with her.” Her eyes gleamed with pleasure.

Morlet tensed. This wasn’t good. The king dragged me to a narrow staircase. “Why did you attack her?” he whispered in my ear as we started climbing.

I refused to answer. At the top of the winding staircase, we came to a circular room. Twelve open windows revealed the sun hadn’t yet risen. Chains were attached to the stones under each one. In the center of the room were black markings I’d never seen before. Morlet shoved me inside.

Six soldats entered and spread throughout the room. Skog Heks stalked toward me. I raised my hands, and Morlet wrapped his arms around my body, holding my arms down.

“Let me go!” I threw my head back, head butting him. When his grip loosened, I angled sideways and elbowed him. Hooking my leg around his, I seized his wrist, about to flip him over my shoulder. Something zapped through my body, paralyzing me. I crumbled to the ground.

Skog Heks hovered over me. “My turn.” She kicked my ribs, and I grunted in pain. She laughed as she repeatedly kicked me until something cracked. Grabbing my hair, she lifted my head a foot off the ground and then slammed it down onto the stone floor. Pain exploded and white dots floated around in my eyes.

There was nothing I could do to defend myself.

“Enough,” Morlet said. “I need her to be able to link power with the others.” He knelt next to me, his hand on my shoulder. A slow ebb of warmth seeped into my body. Was Morlet healing me? Maybe he wanted to ensure I didn’t die.

The witch spit on my face. “Foolish girl. I will destroy every last wretched human in this kingdom. You are powerless to stop me.” She kicked my face, and my world went dark.





Chapter Sixteen


Frigid liquid filled my mouth, cascading down my throat. My eyes flew open as a jolt of energy surged through me. Anders’s eyes loomed above my body. “Am I dreaming?” I croaked.

He held a finger to his lips while slipping his free arm under my back and lifting me to a sitting position. A stinging sensation radiated down my side, but it was manageable.

“The concoction I gave you will only last for thirty minutes or so,” he whispered in my ear. “We must be off the grounds before then because your pain will once again become unbearable.” Anders wore snug-fitting black material that covered his entire body, including his hands and head, leaving only his face exposed. He carefully pulled me to my feet. Six soldats lay on the floor, each with a dart sticking out of his neck.

“Put this on.” He handed me black fabric similar to his. “Morlet is bringing up the other Krigers as we speak.”