Vaela raised the shield to ensure her death. It was made of metal and would do nothing to spare her from the Lightning. Quite the opposite–it would draw the Lightning to her, gather it with open arms. It would serve her how she desired.

Death. Let it stab into her shield and race through her–and only her. Vaela kept her eyes on Adyr as she fell backwards, their gazes locked together. Something tore through the side of the tent near Vaela’s head and slid past her face–a sword. The blade stabbed through the air, cutting off her view of Adyr. Vaela’s reflection filled her sight, tinted red in the bloodstained steel. The sword extended past her, jutting out beyond her shield.

The Lightning arced hungrily into the metal, like a snake sinking its fangs into prey. It Jolted through the blade in an instant, causing the hairs on Vaela’s neck to raise like hackles. The prickling sensation was over before her eyes could travel to the hilt of the bloodied sword. The Static in the air dissipated, grounding into the hand that grasped the sword.

Vaela stumbled back a step and caught her balance. Jace’s rapier, long and streaked with blood, extended in its entirety through the wall of the tent. And holding it–a brown hand. Shadow danced under the skin like black roots, absorbing all the Lightning. The sword swiped down, cutting a slit through the fabric to the ground and Hermit’s head poked through. He shook the sword at Vaela with a wide grin. “You think I’d actually cut you? I told you I wouldn’t do that. Well, not with Jace’s sword, at least.” He ducked into the tent and faked a double take at Kaverlna, before spreading his arms in warm welcome. “Inky, old man! You have gotten stronger. Have you been practicing?” Hermit chuckled to himself and shook his head.

Fury contorted Kaverlna’s face, almost to the point of being unrecognizable. “Hermit.” She spat the words with such venom, blood flew from her mouth and flecked the ground. “How dare–”

Hermit held up a hand towards Kaverlna. “One moment, old boy.” He faced Vaela and nodded. “I’ve got some catching up to do with an old colleague of mine, so budge along now.”

Vaela’s heart still pounded so hard that every beat made her broken arm and bleeding shoulder ache. Hermit. By the Creator, she’d never been so happy to see him. Hopefully, she’d never be this happy to see him ever again. She studied his hand–completely unharmed and now free of Shadow. Such Power. If she really did survive this with Adyr, she’d stop fooling around. She’d practice wielding Shadow every day. Behind Hermit, Adyr struggled to her feet, one hand clutching her chest, the other, Vaela’s stick.

Hermit glanced back and faked a second double take. “Adyr, old boy! You’re alive.” He rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat. “I mean, of course, you’re alive. I came to rescue you, you see. Never gave up on you.”

Vaela coughed a laugh and limped around Hermit. He could say whatever he wanted right now. Adyr’s eyes landed on her, still brimming with Frozen tears. She blinked and her lashes broke off crystals of Ice. Blood still seeped from her chest, oozing out of the long cut. She took a step towards Vaela and her leg buckled. Vaela jumped forward and caught Adyr with her broken arm. Pain shot through it and her legs gave way. She fell to one knee, still bracing Adyr.

Hermit heaved them both to their feet. “Now, now. No need to kneel before me. Though I do understand the natural inclination.”

Vaela shook him off. Had to get Adyr out of here. She needed help–fast. Vaela wrapped her shield-arm around Adyr, supporting her more fully. On the other side of the tent, Kaverlna loomed like a raging storm, but she hadn’t approached. Hermit’s mere presence stopped her from attacking them. Vaela braced Adyr to her and glanced at Hermit. She should probably be grateful.

Kaverlna edged over to Timura’s unconscious body and swiped up Timura’s staff. Vaela’s eyes lingered on her fallen friend. Her side bled where Vaela had stabbed her old friend. Blood trickled from Timura’s temple where she had smashed her Ice-hardened fist. Guilt strummed through Vaela, fear biting at the back of her throat. If only there had been another way. And now… who knew what Kaverlna would do to Timura? What would she do to all the priests and priestesses who had failed her? Vaela broke her gaze away and pulled Adyr towards the slit.

Kaverlna slammed the butt of the staff into the ground behind them. “Stop! Her blood is mine.” She stepped forward, bringing the staff down into fighting position. Hermit stepped between them and lowered the rapier. Kaverlna halted in the center of the tent, eyeing his sword.

Hermit waved to Vaela without looking back. “Go on. I’ll take care of this riff raff.”

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Vaela spared one final glance at Kaverlna. This wasn’t the end–they’d meet again. After all, blood always returned to the heart. “Bleed you later.” Vaela turned away and stepped out of the tent, pulling Adyr along beside her.

Kaverlna’s enraged shout followed after them, then metal clashed against metal. Vaela kept her focus on supporting Adyr. Hermit would be fine. They were going to be okay.

Adyr’s breathing became even more labored and she leaned further against Vaela. Outside of the main tent, a handful of priests and priestesses, already looking worn down and bloodied, huddled in a group. Driving them steadily back were Alnea and Jace. Alnea held two swords, while Jace wielded Hermit’s staff, his empty scabbard at his belt.

Adyr took another step and her legs gave out completely, throwing all of her weight onto Vaela. Vaela stumbled to keep them upright, her own body worn thin. Two strong hands caught her around the waist and steadied her on her feet. A second later, Surah ducked under Adyr’s other arm and lifted her back to her feet. He shook his head, tutting at Vaela. “Bleed you later…? Tacky. Very tacky.”

Relief bubbled up through Vaela’s chest and her eyes filled with tears. She swallowed and regained her footing. “Well, I had to say something.” Off to the side, Jace and Alnea dispatched the rest of the clergy with little resistance. Vaela cocked an eyebrow at Surah. “I see you’re helping as usual.”

He snorted and raised his free arm where his shield was strapped. “Laugh all you want. The Great Turtle has triumphed over the powerful Church of Blood once again.”

She smiled and raised her own shield in salute. The world swam around her, her vision blacking out. The ground tilted beneath her as if she were on a boat. She opened her eyes, blinking her vision clear. She was kneeling, one hand braced on the ground, while her broken arm dangled. Had she fallen? She struggled to breathe, pain throbbing from everywhere. A blurry shape moved towards her. Vaela squinted and Alnea came into focus. The Created dropped the two swords as if they were flowers she’d plucked from a field. Vaela followed Alnea’s movements, doing her best to keep her eyes open. Alnea inserted herself under Adyr’s arm, supporting her despite her small frame, and nodded Surah to Vaela. He ran to Vaela’s side and lifted her back to her feet, one hand clamped around her waist. “Hey, let’s get out here. You and me, the two turtles.”

She murmured something, her words dying in her chest. He half-walked, half-carried her to the outskirts of the encampment. Her vision continued to fade in and out as they approached the horses. Jace now held Adyr up, Alnea already in the saddle. The two of them lifted Adyr onto the horse to sit in front of Alnea. Adyr slumped, her head hanging over her chest. Vaela rested heavily against the horse. Someone jiggled her Vaela.

“Wake up. Wake up!” Pain burst across her cheek and her eyes jolted open.

Surah grasped her by the shoulders, peering into her eyes. She flopped an arm out to him. “Wha’ that… for?”

He frowned and caught her hand. “That… was for leaving me.”

The edges of her vision clouded with shadow, a sickening weakness clawing at her stomach. She tried to shake her head free of the fog. Surah’s hands slid up and cradled her face. He tilted his head, his lips parting. “And this… is for coming back.”

Confusion swirled through Vaela, scrambling her thoughts even more. What was he…? One of his hands left her face and he pulled her closer. Was he going to…?

Another burst of pain exploded across her cheek, bringing tears to her eyes. She jerked away from him, her hand flying to her stinging cheek. “Why?!”

He thrust a finger at her. “Because you didn’t come back, bitch.”

Vaela groaned and her weight steadied on her feet. Well, she was awake now. Surah stepped into the stirrup and smoothly kicked up into the saddle. Jace appeared beside Vaela and helped her get a foot into the stirrup. She tried to step up, but her body refused to cooperate. Surah rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist. With his and Jace’s help, she got her leg over the horse and settled into the saddle in front of Surah.

Metal clashed against metal in a flurry, coming from the direction of the Sacrificial tent. Hermit emerged, backing out to the entrance, Jace’s rapier flashing in his hand. He fended off Timura’s staff in slow, but measured steps. Kaverlna emerged from the tent, raining blows down to no avail. Jace retrieved Hermit’s staff and raced over to the tent. He and Hermit kept Kaverlna at bay and steadily retreated towards the horses. After a short exchange, Jace knocked the staff from Kaverlna’s hands and Hermit held the rapier to her throat. Hatred burned from her eyes and she slowly stepped away. Jace spun and mounted his horse first, then Hermit climbed onto his own. They exchanged weapons and Hermit gripped his staff, so familiar in his hands.

A grin stretched on his face and he saluted Kaverlna with a wave. “Well, always a pleasure, Inky. Kill you next time!” He turned his horse and gestured for the others to follow.

Vaela swayed in the saddle and Surah’s hands steadied her. The air around her seemed hazy, more like a dream than reality. They turned from the tents and led the horses back to the main road. Blood ran down her arm and her vision once again darkened on the edges. Kaverlna’s shouts followed after them, sharp with anger. “This isn’t over. You, priestess, and you, Champion, will flow back to me. Wayward blood always returns. Your blood is mine to take and mine to spill.”

Weariness overcame Vaela as the world dwindled away more and more. Surah’s hands stabilized her in the saddle–the only reason she didn’t fall. She fixed her vision on Adyr as the world tunneled darker.

Adyr–alive and no longer Sacrificial lamb.

Vaela closed her eyes before everything went dark on its own.