Page 91 of Condemned

Now, finally, she had all the time in the world to pursue her romance with her mauleon.

A millisecond before the dart struck her right leg, she glimpsed the helmet of the king’s officer. Collapsing already, her surprise translated to horror as three more darts sank into her left thigh and shoulders. Paralyzed by the time she hit the soft ground, the dagger that thumped into her left hand, pinning it to the dirt, was felt as searing pain but her arm did not flinch. She sagged onto her back, limp, already certain of the identity of this false officer.

“Arx,” she gurgled, finding the toxin affecting her speech.

“Yes. Evening, J’kai. I have heard of you. A pity to meet this way, but I have my job to do.”

“What?” Oh, no. Oh, no. Not now. Not today. She’d had a future, for once. She swallowed awkwardly, feeling the warm blood on her hand and her strength leaching away. “What is it?”

“The job? To kill whoever killed my client. You were difficult to find, let alone convict in my private court of wrongdoers.”

“But... he’s dead. Leave it.” The sky above was so pretty, so blue.

“He is. But that is what triggered me. I always do my job, unlike you.”

His boot kicked her ribs and she heard the thud, rolled one way then back again.

“You know how I like to give people a chance?” The fair-haired mauleon spilled ampoules on the ground to J’kai’s left and they sparkled among the grass. “There. Your antidote. Lots of it. Get it in you and you’ll survive.”

“Fuck. You.” Her vision was blurring.

“Fifteen minutes left until you die? Maybe.” Arx walked above her and she felt him pull her upward until she was propped at a higher angle. “Meantime, you’re in a spot where you can watch my activities. I’m going down there.” He pointed to the farm. “Again.”

“Leave them!”

“No, no. You missed your chance. I will kill one of her lovers, not sure which male as of yet. Hurt the others, but let them live.” He turned to her and smiled. “Then I will kill the girl. Farewell.” His salute was swift, and she watched him jog away downslope. He vanished but reappeared riding a florse and, yes, heading for the farm.

“Fuck you.” Tears leaked from her eyes.

Death would erase her, but he’d made sure her last minutes would be an agony of regret, sorrow, and anger. Mostly regret.

Avalon’s last moments would be equally as bad for she’d have watched her lover die, and know she was next. It was how Arx worked; he toyed, he tortured, and it was not for the money.