Authors: Carey Corp,Lorie Langdon
C
onfident that Jamie would be right behind me, I raced toward Mackenna and the queen. Addie's magic had completely disintegrated our shield. Without protection, hundreds of skellies overran the camp, destroying everything in their path.
Slowly, I picked my way through the enemy, slashing and chopping at their bones. In the middle of the chaos, I spied Queen Veronica throwing axes with deadly precision. At her back, in a blur of steel and auburn hair, Mackenna held her own against the skellie army. But my brother was missing.
Shutting out thoughts of losing Jamie again, I hacked my way forward, my attention divided between my own situation and the plight of Mackenna and Veronica. Beyond their line of sight and moving fast was a creature several hands larger than the other skellies. Perhaps it had been a giant in its former life.
Ignoring the fighting around it, the gigantic skellie locked onto Mackenna like a bull fixating on a red handkerchief. Terror gripped me as I considered what a creature like that
could do to her, and for a moment, I froze . . . until Jamie's voice reverberated in my head.
You're no' scairt!
Fleshless hands clutched my foot, spurring me into action. As I booted away a skeleton that tried to unseat me from my mount, I watched the giant undead thing uproot a nearby tree. It brandished the stump with the roots in the air, like an improvised cat-o'-nine tails. In heavy, earth-shaking steps it continued its advance toward Mackenna, who, occupied with the skellies in her immediate vicinity, seemed quite oblivious to the approaching threat.
Spurring my horse into action, I galloped forward and called her name. For an instant, her eyes met mine as I hurtled past. About to charge the giant creature, my horse shied. It reared up on its hind legs, while bony fingers dug into my clothes, clawing at my skin. Unable to maintain control of my mount, the horse leapt one direction while I went the other. Before I could right myself, two dozen skellies surged and dragged me to the ground.
In that moment, I had no doubt I was about to die in a frenzy of claws and teethâand, strangely, I was at peace with my lot. As long as I'd been able to save Mackenna from meeting a similar fate, my sacrifice would be well worth the cost.
Pain arched through my body as fangs tore at my face, neck, arms, and legs. Searing hot agony pierced my abdomen, caused by what I suspected might be a dagger. Whispering my good-byes as if my loved ones could hear, I said to Jamie and Veronica, “Rule with compassion and mercy.”
Then to Mackenna, “My heart will be yours forever.”
I longed to see my fiery red-haired lass so much that I imagined her reply. “Don't you dare leave me, Duncan MacCrae!”
“I'm sorry, woman.”
“Stop apologizing, you infuriating ogre!” This time, the response was definitely not in my head.
The skellies covering me began to fall back. I first became aware of my legs being freed from attack. Then my torso. One of the monsters on my head, digging into my scalp, rolled away, leaving its bony fingers still embedded in my skin. With my sight restored, I saw that the creatures were not in retreat but under attack by someone wielding a staffâsomeone with cornflower blue nail polish.
The staff smashed into the remaining skellies covering my body. They split apart, scattering bones across the brush. Breathing a prayer of thanks, I blinked into the severe, bloodied face of Mackenna as she pointed her staff at my chest. “Can you move?”
“You came for me,” I breathed in a shaky voice.
“Always. We're a team.” Her wide eyes flitted over my battered body. “You look awful. Can you get up?”
“I think so.” I reached for the end of the staff and held on with all my might as Mackenna hoisted me to my feet. Scared and trembling with shock, I took a deep breath, willing myself to regain my equilibrium. After another breath, I nodded and took the spare sword she offered me. “I'm all right.”
“Good. We need to get back to Vee.” She tipped her head toward where the queen was driving skellies back with a small axe. Before moving, her radiant eyes locked on mine. For a moment, time stood still as her lips twisted into a smile. “I'll kiss you senseless later.”
T
he first time I'd killed Sean MacNally had been a mistake. I'd repented and accepted forgiveness for that sin. But it wasn't until this moment that I realized I'd yet to forgive myself. As I watched my greatest sin rise up in front of me, I knew if I didn't move on from what I'd done, I would die here.
“Fight me . . . man . . . on man . . . I will . . . kill ye . . . MacCrae.” The words garbled out of zombie Sean's damaged mouth like his teeth were made of glass. If he had any teeth.
Darting my attention to the field, I watched the Destined knock down another row of skellies with the rope stretched between them. The second wave finished the creatures off with axes and scythes. And yet, the creatures kept coming.
As I turned back, zombie Sean raised a claymore and shield. “I'll fight ye, if that's what ye wish.” I twirled my sword around my hand and then caught the hilt. “But this ends here and now.”
Reaching for the shield on my back, I secured it to my left arm and bent my right elbow so my sword pointed at my adversary's throat.
The monster roared, his half-decayed mouth opening unnaturally wide, and then he charged. I blocked his first strike with my shield, but the power behind the blow forced me back a step. His strength had been supernaturally enhanced, just like the guards we'd encountered in the mountains.
Leaping forward, I struck. Our swords clashed together, the impact forcing mine out of my hand. I sprinted to the weapon, slid on my knees, and scooped it up. When I stood back up, Sean had only covered half the distance. Strong, but slow.
That
, I could handle.
He charged and smashed his shield into my sword hand. Pain raced up my fingers, but I managed not to let go. I parried and he countered, our swords tangling. Eye to eye with the monster, I struggled not to gag. He smelled of rotting meat and defecation. I shoved him away, but the creature didn't budge.
Trying a bit of psychological warfare, I baited, “Adelaide must be verra angry wi' ye.”
Sean's bloodshot eyes widened a fraction.
“Ye've failed her so many times, and this one will be no different!” I slammed my shield into his head and freed my sword.
The monster stumbled back and then surged forward with a growl, his brain leaking out of his split skull. It went against all logic, but while physically strong, his body was frail. I sidestepped, spun, and sank my blade into his gut. He froze, but then a hideous grin split his decomposing face as he took hold of the blade and yanked it out of his stomach. His shield smacked into my shoulder before I could move, knocking me on the ground.
The thing lumbered toward me. “Addie . . . hat . . . hates . . . ye . . . kill . . . ye . . . kill.”
“Ye really shouldna try ta speak.” I scrambled backward until my shoulders bumped against a wide tree trunk. Biding
my time, I let Sean close the gap between us. As he readied his weapon, I sprang to my feet and lunged, arching my sword over my head and bringing it down with all my strength. The blade sliced into the crook of his neck, but he batted the weapon away, dislodging the blade from his flesh. The wound would've stopped a mortal man. It appeared I'd have to take him apart piece by piece.
I ducked around the tree, narrowly avoiding Sean's next strike. As the monster followed, I raised my shield to defend myself. Making him angry seemed to increase his strength. His sword beat against my shield again and again until a final slam sent it flying into the dirt. I whirled and kicked the vile thing square in the chest. The blow pushed him back, but when I brought my sword around he blocked and then went on the offensive. Our weapons crashed together over and over until I struggled to block his strikes. With a massive swing, he knocked me off my feet. I fell on my back, the sword flying out of my hand. As he raised his sword over his head to deliver the final blow, I pulled a dagger from my belt, buried it in his thigh, and rolled away.
Scrambling on my hands and knees, I grabbed the sword, swung around, and slashed blindly. The blade cut halfway through his calves, bone breaking through skin. With a bellow of rage, he toppled face-first. I leapt to my feet and swung, my blade slicing into the monster's neck as he fell.
I circled his prone body, sword pointed at his head. I had to be sure. Reluctant to touch the unholy creature, I grasped his sleeve and rolled him onto his back. He still blinked, his jaw working as he tried to speak. I straddled his chest, grasped the sword in both hands, and hesitated. Could I kill him all over
again
?
The answer flashed through my mind in a moment of seamless clarity. This was not Sean, but another mental torment sent
from the witch. If I let it, my guilt would destroy me from the inside out and Adelaide would win. What I'd done could not be changed, but I could accept absolution and move on. When I freed this soulless abomination from his torment, this time it would be out of compassion, not anger.
“I forgive you, Sean.” I raised my sword and lifted a prayer, “Deliver him, Lord, for he knows not what he does.”
And then I slammed the blade through his throat. His eyes flew wide, but it wasn't until I lifted his head and dislocated it from his body that he stopped moving.
Exhausted, but finally free, I dropped the monster's head and glanced to the field. The Destined had defeated the last of the skeleton battalion and were making their way toward me. As my head cleared, I began to hear snippets of words. Veronica's voice.
Ja . . . you . . . army . . .
I snatched my shield out of the dirt, grabbed Crusoe's reins, and began to run.
J
amie! Where are you? Addie's army has us surrounded!
The skellies swarmed and I threw my last ax. End over end, it hurtled through their ranks, knocking three . . . four . . . five creatures down like bowling pins, three of which lost their heads completely. Arms shaking, I raised my sword as Ken knocked down a row with her staff, blowing them apart with the impact. Working as a team, Duncan stepped into the void she created and decapitated the following row with his claymore.
“I dinna understand,” Duncan mused. “What's the witch's end game? The skeletons are almost too easy to take down.”
“Good point.” Kenna moved into position as we fought back to back.
Another group scuttled forward, and I turned away, letting my friends take the lead under the pretense of readjusting my shield. Jamie hadn't responded to my mental calls and I could tell Duncan was also concerned his brother had yet to return.
Knowing Kenna would hear my desperation, but unable to
care, I projected,
Jamie, if you can hear me, please answer. Say something to let me know you're alive!
Silence met my call, and then I heard his voice echoing through the trees. “Save some skellies for me!”
Jamie ran into the clearing bloodied, bruised, and the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen. He charged the last cluster of skeletons from behind, using his shield and sword to knock them to bits. Then he raced over and we threw our arms around him in the best group hug in the universe.
“What kept you?” Duncan asked.
“Zombie Sean,” he replied matter-of-factly.
“What?” I growled, my voice hoarse from shouting orders.
“Aye,” Jamie answered. “He can rest in peace now.”
I pulled out of the tangle of arms and searched Jamie's face. Dirt and sweat streaked his skin, but his eyes were clear and golden brown. In truth, he seemed lighter than he had in a long time.
In unspoken agreement we moved into the fire circle and slumped against the log benches. My whole body shook with fatigue as I reclined next to Jamie, laying my head on his shoulder. Without the incessant
click-clack
of skellies, the camp seemed eerily silent.
Addie's undead army was gone. Although there were casualties all around camp, I couldn't think about that yet. I needed this one moment to regroup.
“Is it possible tha' we've defeated them all?” Alasdair strode into the fire circle, appearing spry as usual. Only a slash on his arm and a slight limp betrayed that he'd just fought the battle of his life.
“Let's hope so.”
None of us spoke the question that was surely on all of our minds: Where was Addie?
A horrid thought broke through my exhaustion, causing me to straighten up despite my protesting muscles. “We need to get everyone into base camp and restore the shield. Addie'll be looking for more souls to rebuild her army.”
“Or she could just do that . . .” From Kenna's weary tone, I couldn't tell if she was trying to make a joke or on the verge of hysteria. But as I processed what had captured her attention, I had no urge to laugh.
In the center of the fire circle, a bone that had once been part of a skellie's leg twitched. “Please tell me I'm not the only one seeing this!” Her voice pitched higher with every word as several more bones came together.
I leapt to my feet as all the bones around us began to rattle. “They're regenerating.”
Everyone rose, warily watching the bones dancing toward each other and fervently hoping it was just a bad dream.
“You mean we've got to fight those things all over again? You've got to be kidding me. It's like
Groundhog Day
from hell!” Kenna moaned. She tugged the tail of her braid, her eyes wide. “Maybe I can wake myself up.”
The ground vibrated as hundreds upon hundreds of bones around us convulsed, trying to reunite with their former bodies.
“We can't last another round!” Panic gripped my chest. “We've lost too many already.”
The upper half of a skeleton dragged its way through the dirt, its violet eyes intent on my face. I scuttled back on my hands and it sparked.
“What in all that's holy?” Jamie raised his sword to the laboriously advancing skellie.
“Wait!” Kenna shrieked. “It's glowing . . . with dark magic. Igniting . . . like a sparkler.”
“Maybe they're about to disintegrate,” Duncan suggested.
“Tha's no' what happened to them in the castle garden.” Jamie backed away from the creature that seemed to have stalled in place.
“Tallyho!” a call sounded from some distance away.
I shot to my feet. “Ewan?” I jumped onto a log and my heart squeezed. The missing Doonians and Destined, led by Ewan and Ana, raced toward camp. “They saved them!”
Kenna hopped up beside me. “Oh my . . . there's Cheska, and Jerimiah, and Ezekiel.” Her voice thickened with emotion as she gripped my arm.
As they ran, I made out Sofia's tiny form next to Ewan. Kenna and I jumped off the log and raced to meet them, Jamie and Duncan on our heels. We dodged sparking bones as other Doonians joined us. I couldn't keep the smile from spreading across my face. Even if the skellies did re-form, we had reinforcements. The Destined were our second chance!
Jamie looped his arm through mine and we pulled ahead, jumping over rattling bones and debris. A whistling sound drew my gaze up to where a violet orb of magic streaked across the blue sky in a perfect arc. Robbed of words, I yanked Jamie to a stop and pointed at the ball as it whizzed over our heads toward camp.
A low cackle rang in my ears, raising the hairs on my neck as the voice from my nightmares resounded inside my head.
Checkmate, Queenie.