Night of the Storm: An Epic Fantasy Novel (The Eura Chronicles Book 2) by K.N. Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

It’s been a few hours since I’ve crushed some skulls.”
    There was silence between the soldiers.
    “This isn’t good,” Delia whispered as she returned from her spot on the path.
    A soldier shoved her aside, “Move, woman, before you get yourself hurt.”
    Delia nodded, and she struck him in the jaw with her staff. He lay in the dirt, unconscious.
    Unflustered, Delia sighed and folded her hands, meeting Liam’s eyes as every soldier in the village charged toward them. “Try not to make a mess.”
    “I can’t promise you much,” Rowe growled.
    There was a clashing of steel against flesh and bone as Rowe tore them both down with one slice.
    Liam ducked just in time and rolled away. Rowe sawed right through one soldier and his ax lodged into the rib cage of the other in one fluid move. Blood splashed and Rowe yanked his ax’s blade from the fallen soldier’s chest. Blood dripped onto the dry ground as Rowe turned on the other soldiers.
    They looked up at him in horror as guts rolled off the blade like slime.
    “Come on then,” Rowe coaxed. His eyes narrowed as he looked down at them. “You were all so energized a moment ago. Who’s next?”
    Liam climbed to his feet. “I need a weapon. Do you have something? Anything?”
    Delia pulled a small knife from her boot and handed it over to him, hilt first. “Can you Create?”
    The instant the knife touched Liam’s palm, his fingers curled around it and the blade started to glow.
    “No,” he said as the blade became a bright red. “But, I can Enchant.”
    Rowe glanced back. “So, we’re showing off, are we? His ax began to glow green.
    There were no introductions, or any words left between the two groups. The battle quickly grew to a roar as trained soldiers attacked from all sides.
    Close combat wasn’t Liam’s preferred fighting method, but he was fast, and he needed every ounce of speed against the soldiers that bombarded them.
    The tip of his knife whistled as it came around, and his blade slashed the neck of a soldier with a shirt beard.
    He shrieked, his hand clamping over the gushing wound, and fell to his knees.
    Liam didn’t pause. He sunk his sword into another exposed throat. He pulled it free and frothing, crimson, blood gushed from the man’s gaping throat and mouth. Liam saw their weaknesses and punctured jugulars and arteries.
    Rowe, however, was less meticulous. He hacked and sawed away violently, making a scene that caused pause in the remaining soldiers. Heads lolled and other appendages were tossed into the air along with squirts of blood and dust. Those men had no idea how dirty Rowe fought. He was like an animal.
    Rowe spun ahead and caught a man with his bare hands before slashing him across his belly, his glowing ax burning through his armor, spilling his guts. The man screamed in agony as he looked down to see his own intestines falling out of his body. He passed out, and Rowe dropped him.
    Someone kicked Liam behind his knee, dropping him to the dirt. Liam rolled out of the way and jumped to his feet.
    Liam ducked and lunged at the man as the blade just missed the top of his head. Liam caught the soldier’s tattooed wrist with his left hand and heaved his blade into the soldier’s chin.
    When Liam removed the knife, the battle had ended. He surveyed the aftermath.
    Every soldier in town lay in the dirt, covered in blood.
    Delia walked surveyed the carnage. She ignored the gawking stares of the people of Dunn.
    “Best leave now,” she said as she stepped over bodies. The people of Dunn made a path.
    They were free from the soldiers.
    For now. Horrified faces watched silence as Rowe, Liam, and Delia left their village.
     

THE SHADOW ELVES watched Lilae in silence. They’d thanked her repeatedly, but as they waited outside of the town’s perimeter for the others to arrive, not much else was said.
    Lilae was short with them, unsure of what to say. Yes, she’d saved them, but distrust lingered in her mind as she sat on the