Six of Ruin (Heirs of Irenwell #1)

Mercenaries attacked from all sides. Howling affected them. They were still quick and precise, but the uninterested glint was gone from their eyes, replaced by slight unease. Fear.

Danilo tried to push them away, but with his right hand injured, he couldn’t do much. Rixen still jumped between them, disappearing and reappearing from the shadows. In a confined space between the trees, his movements were almost impossible to predict.

This was his territory. Dark places, full of shadows where he could hide. There was no fear in his veins, only energy, excitement. His emotions affected me, gave me enough strength to shush my own fears and at least try to be proactive.

Nickeltinker came down from the tree and ducked. His slight built allowed him to pass undetected. His small, sharp dagger cut through their ankles.

Torvald was by far the most murderous one. There was something about him, something in his eyes, something dark and cruel and malevolent. He sliced his enemies in half with ease. But he didn’t merely kill them, he played with them.

He cut of one man’s arm and let him walk around like that, blood spraying from the cut limb. The sounds he made were terrifying, impossible to listen to. But I couldn’t look away.

Not from Torvald. Not as he laughed while people around him fell down dead.

And even though I was afraid of the mercenaries, I was more afraid of the brute that’s been with me on this journey. He enjoyed his killings thoroughly. And the more they came for him, the stronger he became.

Like he fed on the death and pain.

I averted my gaze, too afraid of what I’d find if I kept looking. My eyes landed on Ace while he crawled towards me, avoiding the swords and axes.

“What in the three hells are you doing?” I hissed, ready to punch an ancient, powerful mage in the face.

Amelia, the spider, let out a weird little scream, like she shared my thoughts. I was never going to get used to that.

“They don’t know who we are.” Ace hissed in return. “And it has to stay that way. If I reveal my power, they will never leave us alone.”

“Not if you kill them all.” I suggested.

“Quiet, princess, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ace sneered and crawled all the way to my hiding spot. “I assume your cultists paid them to collect victims.”

“They’re not my cultists.” I frowned. “And how would you even know that?”

I took a moment to assess the situation. Danilo was getting tired, he barely handled his sword. Sweat and blood covered his forehead and he grunted in pain every time he moved.

“Their leader bears the Three Gifts of Erenna, witch of the underworld. You can smell the distinct stink of magic in the air.” Ace said, the green waves in his eyes building up and crashing down, revealing his true emotions.

He enjoyed this. A part of him revelled in the fight, even though he wasn’t directly participating.

“What are the gifts?” I asked, focusing on his words instead of his interesting character.

“He can walk amongst the dead, command them to do his bidding and snatch souls on their way to the underworld.” Ace explained.

“Excuse me, what?” My eyes widened.

Ace looked at me judgingly, “You truly don’t know anything, do you?”

“I know you’re currently useless.”

“Listen to me, once the wolves come, you’re going to have to run as fast as you can.” Ace said. “Our only chance is to outrun these men and get them off our trail. If they realise who we are, they are going to follow us forever.”

“Fine.” I sighed, looking back at the scene.

The situation wasn’t looking good. Danilo was exhausted, Nickeltinker had no more trinkets to use as weapons and Rixen’s disappearing abilities significantly faltered. Only Torvald remained as fresh as ever, still swinging his axe at anything that walked, to the point I wasn’t even sure he distinguished friends from foes. Horses were scattered around, neighing loudly and avoiding swords and arrows.

Howling pierced the air. The sound was much closer now, too close.

“Irina.” Ace’s words were like swords through my skin. “Now.”

I had no time to think. My blood answered to his words. I lifted myself off the ground, barely noticing the spider that latched onto the hem of my dress, climbing up my legs and finally settling around my hips.

I had no time to shriek with disgust, either.

Surprised gasps and loud screams ruled the forest as large wolves jumped out of the cover of the trees, their bodies tearing through the branches. The wolves were huge, even bigger than the ones we encountered in the Woods of Loria.

And unlike those, these wolves were more corporeal, more human.

I had no time to look in awe. My legs moved on their own. I didn’t turn around to see whether someone was following me. The ground was wet and slippery, my shoes were ruined. Shouts of pain became quieter, but the footsteps following me did not.

I was too afraid to look, to stop. Sharp pain seized my lungs and my throat, I could taste only metal on my tongue. My heart was about to give out, but I ran.

There was nothing but trees in front of me and around me. Branches hit my body, my arms and my legs, probably drawing blood.

My ankle twisted and I fell on the ground. Dull pain reverberated through my bones, my skull and my limbs. Mud ended up all over my face, in my mouth, in my nose. Tears prickled in my eyes.

Strong hands grabbed me under my arms and pulled me up. My ankle hurt too much to stand on it.

“Come on.” Rixen said quietly. “We have to move. Fluffy is here.”

The donkey brayed next to me, his deep, gentle eyes offering consolation I didn’t know I needed. I nodded, pushing down the tears. My ankle throbbed, but I ignored it, refusing to accept the desperation that slowly ate at my soul. Rixen helped me up.

That damn spider still clung to my dress.

“We need to run.” Rixen said. His face was bloody and sweaty, but he didn’t seem hurt.

I glanced around, noticing Nickeltinker hopping along the way and Ace on the horse. His warthog was next to him, as well as Torvald.

Alarm sounded through my veins, “Where is Danilo?”

“I vote we leave the royal fucker behind.” Ace grinned. “He’s useless anyway.”

“No!” My voice was broken and hoarse, but strong enough to erase his stupid grin. “We’re not leaving anyone behind. Back me up, boys.”

Nickeltinker slowly, carefully shrugged, “I mean-”

“No.” I eyed him with determination. “Someone has to go back for him.”

“Oh, come on.” Ace rolled his eyes. “We’ve already lost one horse, do you want to risk another one to save Danilo? I can find you another one just like him.”

“He’s not an animal, you asshole!” I shouted, unable to believe they would simply turn their back on one of us.

“I’ll go.” Rixen sighed. “But I want it on record that I believe he wouldn’t do the same for me. Torvald?”

“Ugh.” The brute nodded.

“He would.” I crossed my hands on my chest, tears blurring my vision. “He would do the same for each one of you and you know it. He may be a little dim and a little high up his own ass, but he’s loyal. And he would never leave one of his men behind.”

Rixen’s frown disappeared. Through that connection we shared, I felt his regret. Like he spoke before he thought his words through. I put him to shame.

“Torvald, let’s go. Her Grace is right.” Rixen said.

“Hmm.” Torvald murmured.

They were gone in a second and I was just a tiny bit afraid they wouldn’t come back. But we couldn’t just leave Danilo behind, not when he swore he would protect me even if it killed him. The least I owed him was the curtesy of trying to help him.

I glared at Ace, feeling slightly ashamed I shared the same magic with him.

“What?” His hands fell down his sides, no remorse in his green eyes. “You have to think about the bigger picture.”

I smiled humourlessly, “I understand now why you live alone in a shed with the sole company of people who want something from you.”

“My, oh, my, I love it when people think their words hurt me.” Ace snickered. “You’re too young to understand that putting others before you is going to get you killed, diablerie.”

“Stop calling me that!” I shouted. “And the only one that’s going to end up dead is you, because no one will come for you when you’ll need help.”

“Irina.” Nickeltinker said quietly. “Let’s not piss off the mage.”

Ace smiled, “You should listen to the floran, little witch.”

Nickeltinker’s eyes snapped at Ace, slightly widened, and then back at me, “Witch?”

Anger awakened in my veins, “You gave me your word, As.”

“My word means nothing.” The mage turned around and walked ahead, leaving me and Nick alone waiting for the rest of our group to return.

“Witch?” Nickeltinker turned to me. “Why did he call you a witch?”

I sighed, “I might have some magic in my veins. But Danilo cannot know!”

Nickeltinker leaned against the warthog and pinched the bridge of his nose, “You people are utterly unprofessional.”

I hugged Fluffy and took in a deep breath. The spider pulled at the hem of my dress, her eight eyes staring at me. I had to fight the urge to shudder as her hairy legs slithered over my leg.

“I’m sorry, Amelia.” I mumbled. “It’s going to take me some time to get used to this.”

The spider moved away, as if understanding.

I was almost half-asleep when rustling woke me up. Torvald came through, carrying unconscious Danilo on his back. Rixen came out right after them.

“Is he alright?” I asked, unable to force more emotion to my tone.

“He will be fine.” Rixen said. “But they beat him up quite a bit and he lost some blood. We need to get to Balr as fast as we can.”

Footsteps echoed behind Rixen and my body immediately stiffened, already expecting a threat. Instead, a well-built, long-haired, handsome man moved the branches away and stepped in the light. He had a beautiful face, a little rough, but mostly symmetrical. He was half-naked, in nothing but beige linen pants. I looked over his chiselled muscles and smiled.

On instinct, I fixed my hair, which was useless considering I was completely covered in mud and sweat. But, I was still a lady.

“We can help you carry him to Balr.” The man said, his voice was deep and melodious.

Rixen eyed me, sighed and glanced at the stranger, “We lost a horse. And Torvald cannot stay like this for long. He needs to rest.”

I looked at Torvald, the red glint from his eyes almost disappeared, leaving unrecognisable sadness behind.

“It’s no problem.” The stranger answered. “My pack promised Ace we would help if needed.”

“Pack?” Both Nickeltinker and I asked at the same time.

“We’re the wolves that came. Well, werewolves.” The man said, his deep, brown eyes looked over me. “You must be Princess Irina of Irenwell. I’m Daniel.”

I grinned like a happy child, “You came at the right time, Daniel. I don’t know what we would have done if it weren’t for you.”

Rixen rolled his eyes.

“At your service, your Grace. But we must hurry if we wish to reach Balr in time.” Daniel said. “The rest of my pack is diverting the mercenaries, but if we truly want to lose them, we must move.”

He and his gorgeous, strong behind walked ahead. Torvald put Danilo on a horse and slowly moved after the werewolf.

Nickeltinker walked past Fluffy and whispered to me, “I cannot believe you’re a fucking witch. I need the whole story, girl.”

I leaned down, “I’ll buy you a drink in Balr if you stop stealing my stuff.”

“Deal.” The green-skinned boy hopped ahead, the warthog following him.

I ushered Fluffy to hurry so that we can talk to the werewolf some more, when Rixen stopped me, “What do you think you’re doing, Maiden?”

“What?” I glanced back. “I deserve some fun.”

Rixen climbed on his horse and reached me, “We almost died a minute ago and you’re thinking of fucking a werewolf!”

“So?” I arched my eyebrow. “Everyone’s alive. Also, this might be my only chance to fuck a werewolf. A handsome werewolf, might I add.”

Rixen’s lips thinned and the connection we shared seemed somehow impenetrable now, “Still, you don’t have to do it.”

A smile reached my lips, “Why do you mind, Rix?”

“I don’t.”

“Then leave me be.” I shrugged.

His silence was strangely uncomfortable, “I thought you wanted Danilo.”

I suddenly felt the need to justify myself, “Are you a nineteen year old princess, Rixen?”

“Uh, no.”

I pulled the reins and Fluffy stopped, “Then you don’t know what it’s like having a brother desperate to marry you to score cheap political points. Any moment now, my youth and sensuality could be crushed under the weight of some old, withered lord’s beer belly and before you know it, the only thing squeaking in our room during night will be his joints.”

Rixen’s yellow eyes lit up with amusement and he let out a short laugh, “Fair enough, I suppose.”

“Thank you.” I said and turned Fluffy around. “I’m off to fuck a werewolf.”

“You will marry Danilo, you know?” Rixen said, stopping me in my tracks. “It won’t be some old, withered lord.”

“You won’t tell him, will you?” I asked quietly, remembering how the mage outed me in front of Nickeltinker without hesitation. “About... everything?”

“I’ll keep your secrets, Irina of Irenwell.” Rixen shrugged. “If you’ll keep mine.” His fingers grazed my elbow and a shiver ran down my spine.

We need more information on the mage. His thoughts travelled through my mind.

I sighed and took his hand, his horse almost bumped into Fluffy. He wanted to leave Danilo behind, I don’t trust him.

Neither do I, Irina. That’s why once we reach Balr, we are going to follow him.