Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
“Baby girl, come to me!” she heard Davrik shouting.
Sonya bit her lip and clutched at the empty window frame. The silver bridge looked so narrow.
And then, behind her, she heard the door to her room open.
“…think you’ll find that Sonya is safe and sound and waiting for you, Sir Grox,” Oozle’s voice burbled.
Turning her head, she saw the Sluggorn slime his way into her room, followed by the huge, hulking form of the Trollox. It took them a moment to see what was going on but when they did, all seven of Grox’s yellow eyes widened in angry surprise.
“She’s escaping!” squealed the middle head and then the other two heads began making loud, whooping sounds almost like a police siren, Sonya thought. “Whoo—whoo—whoo!”
“Baby girl, come—hurry!”
She looked away from them and saw Davrik reaching for her. He was out on the metal bridge himself, halfway to her with his hand outstretched. There was a look of anxiety on his strong features.
“Grab her!” Oozle snarled and she saw the Sluggorn was sliding as fast as he could, though he had to pick his way around the shattered glass. The Trollox had no such hindrance—Grox was wearing huge, hobnailed boots so he simply came crunching over the broken window glass, reaching for her with both meaty paws.
For a moment, Sonya felt frozen. Then a low, feminine voice whispered in her ear,
“Go now, daughter! You will not be given another chance to escape!”
Sonya had no idea who was speaking to her, but as the voice spoke, a sudden rush of courage flooded her. Hadn’t she been thinking she’d rather be dead than owned by Grox? Well, here was her chance to prove it! Keeping her eyes on Davrik instead of the horrible drop below, she stepped out onto the silver bridge.
“That’s right, baby girl—come here! Come on!” Davrik reached for her and Sonya took another step and another and another. The wind whipped all around her like an invisible hand, blowing her curls around her face and plastering her gown to her body. Still, she kept moving, keeping her eyes on Davrik’s outstretched hand.
But just as she was only a few feet from the big Kindred, the pain chip in her ankle sent a stabbing bolt of burning pain up her right leg.
Sonya screamed breathlessly as her knee buckled. A searing, stabbing agony that made it impossible to think of taking another step had enveloped her. It felt like someone had set all the bones in her right leg on fire!
Then the bridge under her feet shook and the metal groaned, as though something extremely heavy had been placed on it. Turning her head she saw that Grox was right behind her. He was climbing out the window and one enormous foot was already planted on the bridge which was clearly struggling to hold the weight of the ten-foot tall Trollox.
“Be careful, Sir Grox!” Oozle exclaimed behind him. “Do be careful! We have other flowers you may have, you know!”
“No! We want Songbird Sonya!” the middle head shouted. Meanwhile, the other two heads were still keeping up their whooping siren wail. “She is the female who will bear our heir. We only want her!”
“Well, you can’t have me!” Sonya shouted. Somehow, she found the strength to take another step, despite the horrible burning agony in her leg.
It’s just the chip sending you pain signals—your legs are fine, she lectured herself as the pain hit her again and her knees wobbled alarmingly. You’re going to be fine!
“That’s right, baby girl!” Davrik shouted, reaching for her. “Come on—you’re almost there!”
And that was when the bridge shook again. Sonya gasped and pinwheeled her arms, trying to keep her already shaky balance. Turning her head, she saw that Grox had both feet on the bridge now—but it was clear the thin silver structure hadn’t been meant to hold such immense weight. Nevertheless, the enormous Trollox came towards her, his heavy feet making the bridge bounce and sway with each step. Looking down, Sonya could see the metal beginning to buckle, right in the middle, halfway between the building and Dravik’s ship.
“Oh no!” she gasped. “It’s going to—”
With a shriek of metal tearing like paper, the middle of the bridge suddenly gave way. As the Trollox fell—all three heads howling—towards the street far below, Sonya slipped backwards. She reached for Davrik, who was still standing on the end of the bridge that was connected to the ship. It had remained stable somehow, though the other side was gone, falling into the void along with the howling Trollox.
“Sonya!” he shouted, reaching for her.
Sonya grabbed for the big Kindred’s hand…and missed.
She let out a breathless scream and then she was plummeting downward with the pavement rushing up to meet her.
FORTY-SEVEN
LAN’ARA
“Lan’ara! It’s so good to see you again!” Throwing protocol to the winds, Commander Sylvania enveloped Lan’ara in a big hug.