Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Step two: Get my hands on something sharp.
I worked fast, grabbing a vial and slamming it against another. The two shattered. I managed to stuff a shard under my tongue and swipe up a second before Tommy jerked, dragging me to his feet. Twisting, I swiped at him with the piece I held, hoping he and the others believed it was the only weapon I’d obtained. A distraction tactic.
Scowling, he caught my wrist and rammed my hand against the pole. Pain opened my grip, the fragment tinkling to the ground.
“You’ll pay dearly for disrupting this sacred ritual.” His scowl darkened as he secured my bound wrists to the pole and removed the length of chain. He left the collar in place. Meanwhile, villagers rushed over to clean the mess and right the table.
Step three: Send a signal to Earl as soon as I completed step two.
I threw back my head and screamed until Tommy slapped me. Stars flashed before my eyes, but I didn’t care.
Step four: Await Earl’s distraction.
I had no idea what the old man intended to do or how he hoped to do it, but he’d evinced only confidence when he’d outlined my phases.
“Enough of this nonsense.” Eyes slitted, Tommy withdrew a dagger and set the blade’s tip at the neckline of my shirt. “Nothing can stop what’s to happen. You will be stripped, cleaned and covered with a special blend of spices. We will leave you here overnight, and you will marinate. In the morning, I’ll remove one of your legs. If you scream again, I’ll take your tongue as an appetizer.”
My heart thudded against my ribs, which threatened to crack. Please, Earl. Come through!
A slight whistle and whoosh hit my ears a second before an arrow embedded in my captor’s throat. His eyes widened, as if he was unable to comprehend what just happened. My eyes widened. Blood leaked from his wound, and he gasped for breath he couldn’t catch, stumbling backward before crashing to the ground, where he writhed in agony.
The crowd froze, everyone just as shocked and confused as me. Earl had found and used a bow? But, but…
Screams from others erupted. “The hut burns!” someone called. Others bellowed, “Fire!”
“The otherworlder!” I heard repeated in frantic tones.
“You, you and you, find the shooter,” a voice commanded. “Kev, you and your group help Tommy. The rest of you put out the flames!”
The crowd dispersed, most running for a well to draw water for buckets. A good handful of men closed in on the fallen, now still Tommy. I wasted no time. I bent my head to pluck the glass shard from my mouth and began cutting the rope binding my wrists as best I could.
In the sunlight, I couldn’t help but notice the colors sparkling in my shadow ring. Seven colors, to be exact, and another reminder of my mother’s ring. Almost as if…No, no. Impossible.
A humorless laugh bubbled from me. Was anything impossible anymore? I might as well finish the thought. Had I somehow absorbed the ring? And now, it un-absorbed, for whatever reason. A process that made no sense. I mean, how? Why?
When a big brute comprehended what I was doing, he abandoned the dying or dead Tommy to reach for me. Whoosh. An arrow embedded in his temple, and down he fell. Unlike Tommy, he didn’t writhe for a bit. He laid motionless and bleeding, staring up at the morning sky without blinking.
What was even happening right now? More desperate by the second, I sawed the rope faster. Faster still. Come on, come on. Four men hauled Tommy off as though their feet were on fire. Another villager raced for me, reaching…
Whoosh. An arrow sliced into his shoulder, and he stumbled to the side, bellowing with pain.
Those in the area realized the truth at the same time I did: approaching me equaled certain death.
Suddenly everyone backed away as if I’d morphed into toxic waste.
“I suggest you don’t touch the girl,” a calm, familiar voice called.
Jasher! Relief, elation, and astonishment washed over me, one after the other. A whimper left my mouth on a tide. He wasn’t dead, and he’d come for me, despite his claim to the contrary.
“I need the leader’s keys,” I shouted. A metal collar wasn’t going to be my new fashion accessory, and that was that.
Other arrows rained, taking down Tommy’s helpers before they got far. They fell two by two just as my rope gave way. Oh, thank the Lord! I pulled free, the strangest, most sublime strength rushing from the newly color-filled shadow ring, filling my limbs, keeping me upright, and further dulling my aches. I didn’t understand it, but I appreciated the boost.
“I’m getting the keys, my friend, and my dog. Cover me,” I bellowed. I didn’t wait for Jasher’s response. Just ran toward the dropped Tommy.