Page 84 of A Bond So Deadly

“Kenzie. Kenzie. Kenzie,” I whisper the name over and over again.

“Oh look, Tarlaz, she’s having a seizure,” Elgen comments like she’s completely serious.

I ignore the shadow, because that darkness keeps spreading in Leira’s eyes, and excitement surges through me.

“You know, Kenzie, the gorgeous girl with pretty dark hair and doe eyes that really suck you in?” I go on. “Kenzie’s waiting for you back in the shadow realm. You just have to gain control.” Okay, so gaining control is only one step of many if we intend to make it out of here alive, but one thing at a time.

“And you’re Leira,” I continue. “According to Kenzie, you’re seriously clever, so it seems fitting that if anyone can fight King Malgur’s mind control abilities, it would be you.”

She doesn’t stop fighting, but more clarity returns to her eyes. Thankfully, so far, it doesn’t look like King Malgur has noticed.

“Do you see that?” I hiss excitedly to the shadows.

“See what, girl? Your pitiful display of sword fighting? You’d better do something soon, because it seems that King Malgur is losing his patience,” Elgen replies.

She’s not wrong. King Malgur stands with his arms crossed, and the curiosity has faded from his gaze and has been replaced with boredom.

“End her before he gets someone else to fight you,” Elgen says. “Stop holding back.”

I clench my jaw. “I promised Knox I’d stay alive,” I murmur to the shadows. “But I also promised Kenzie that I’d help her find Leira. I can’t just kill her. Look, she’s regaining control. Leira is still in there.”

“Just remember, you’re the one who’s going to get skinned alive,” Elgen rasps.

I let out a frustrated noise, because I know Elgen has a point. I want to save Leira, but I also don’t want to get myself killed in the process.

I think about my training and focus on the power simmering under my skin. The king wants me to put on a show, so I decide to give him one. My skin ripples as the shift begins, scales sprouting over my body, and I grow in size until I’m towering over Leira.

For the first time since the fight began, the Xalgrith warriors fall silent, and King Malgur’s lips curve into a satisfied smile.

I stretch my leathery wings wide, shadows dancing around my talons. I look almost identical to the xalfret I encountered not too long ago, except for the shadows and the random black feathers that protrude in gaps between my gleaming scales. They’re my own special touch. Elgen and Tarlaz hide behind one of my wings, keeping out of view.

“Holy crap, I had no idea if that would work!” I chirp to the shadows. “I look incredible!”

“The king does look pleased,” Tarlaz replies encouragingly.

Leira hesitates as she peers up at me, and the king gives me an expectant look like he’s just waiting for me to bite her head off or something. Which is totally gross and obviously I could never. But I have to do something.

“Kenzie misses you,” I whisper to Leira. “And I refuse to believe you’re gone. When I hit you, and sorry in advance by the way, but stay down. Pretend to be dead. My mates are coming. See if you can escape and get to them.” It sounds far-fetched but trying anything is better than simply giving in to the king’s wishes and killing each other.

I’m not sure Leira understands what I’ve said, but when she runs at me, brandishing her sword, I turn my body and smack my massive, spiked tail into her and send her flying backward.

“Don’t get up,” I hiss at her. “Don’t⁠—”

She gets up, and I curse internally. Damn it.

Picking up her sword, she stalks toward me again, and I let out an ear-splitting roar, but she doesn’t stop coming.

“That’s enough playing around,” King Malgur booms. “Kill her and be done with it. I’ve seen enough to give you another chance to join our forces.”

Oh crap. I’m running out of time to get through to Leira.

“Seriously, I know you’re in there,” I hiss at her. “Unless you want to die, you’re gonna have to help me out here.”

There’s no change in her expression, and she doesn’t slow, so I decide to try something different. I send out some of my power, trying to help her break through that mental compulsion. I feel the king’s hold on her, and I push against it. It doesn’t budge, but I feel Leira trapped in there. It’s like her soul is being held prisoner. I send out more power as she steps toward me, but the king’s hold is too strong. It’s like he has built this wall around her mind, and no one can get in.

But I won’t kill Leira.

I can’t.