Book 16 - Page 104 (1/2)

“About her surrendering—”

“The baneblood broke our deal!” Meliai cried, storming into the barroom. The crowd began to quiet. “Instead of bartering, he robbed me of a treasured possession! He threatened me and the entire covey!”

“Is that true?” Dalli asked.

Nod. He unslung his bow and nocked an arrow, readying for a return to Val Hall.

Dalli raised her face to him. “You are yet again the coveys’ most wanted man—but for an entirely different reason.” Just before he traced, she mouthed, I am so proud of you.

SIXTY-THREE

As more and more power gathered inside Jo, low creatures in the surrounding swamps fled with whimpers.

They should flee. Nïx had compared Jo to a nuclear weapon.

Ah-ah, Valkyrie, try supernova. No longer did Jo wish for a power emergency brake; she let her telekinesis mount.

The force was as strong as steel, yet light as air. Just like her, it was hot and cold, alive and dead.

Black clouds gathered above that eerie red funnel, mushrooming. Lightning bombarded the property, striking the copper rods.

With a wave of her hand, she raised one rod and launched it at the wraiths. They shrieked even more piercingly, but repelled her javelin. With both hands, she telekinetically lifted all the rods, letting them hover menacingly. The wraiths tightened their ring, bracing for impact.

“How’s this for a white flag?” She hurled half of them at the wraiths. The red tempest jolted and recoiled with each hit, but managed to reform.

Hmm. All this pretty lightning . . . She brought the remaining rods to the very edge of the Scourge, positioning them just so—

BOOM! The first lightning bolt struck a rod; the metal channeled sizzling electricity straight to the wraiths.

Jo grinned. Fires had always been free fun, but this was so much better.

Rune didn’t know what shocked him more: the sight of his mate attacking Val Hall, or the presence of Blace, Sian, Darach, and Allixta with Curses. He’d spotted them watching from a distance.

Josephine had arranged copper rods in the air, using the Valkyries’ own lightning against them. She looked so small and delicate to be wielding such power. Those black tear tracks were like war paint against her ghostly white skin, highlighting her uncanny eyes. Her outline s.h.i.+mmered between bolts.

And I thought I would need to save her?

He wanted to trace to her side, but knew she’d unleash her fury on him. Though he deserved it, he needed to be in one piece once the Valkyries attacked.

Any second now, they’d spill out.

Seeming bored with the lightning, Josephine let fly all the rods, a volley of spears. The Scourge shrieked as one.