Page 108 of A Thief to Die For

I aim my bow at the guards around Ryland, then pause as I notice that some are fighting each other. It worked. A number of them are revolting and joining our side.

Ryland kicks out the feet of Petronis, then shouts at me. ‘Go get her.’

Gritting my teeth, I turn and find Coatl dragging Agatha away. He carelessly tosses her on to a catapult trailer.

I ride closer, anger consuming me. Nock an arrow. Aim.

Coatl steps behind the wooden frame of the launcher.

Cursing, I slip from my horse and run to climb onto the trailer.

Coatl pulls a lever, and the large bucket of the catapult swings, launching its load high into the air. It’s headed in the direction of our men who were shooting arrows of fire from the trees.

The explosion lands, and it’s as terrifying as it is mesmerising. Orange flames and black smoke billow into the sky. It’s a smaller explosion than the other trailer, but that wouldn’t matter if it was a direct hit. I hold my breath. Was it?

‘Let me go!’ Agatha yells.

I turn and find Coatl gripping Agatha’s wrist as he tries to reload for another shot.

I lift my bow and aim once again.

He ducks as I shoot. The arrow strikes his shoulder. With a cry of rage, he rips it from his arm. His nostrils flare. ‘Come here. Let’s end this properly.’

Yeah, no thanks.

He releases Agatha and reaches for his bow.

I race to nock another arrow, except there isn’t one in my quiver. Panic explodes in my chest.

Coatl grins as he takes aim.

Suddenly, the trailer he’s standing on lurches forward. Coatl stumbles to his knees.

I pant a relieved breath.

The distance between us expands as the trailer races off. Coatl rises, gripping the catapult frame for balance, then gives me an evil smile. My world slows with terror as he climbs over boxes to where Agatha is driving the horses and trailer.

No! Once again, I’m sprinting.

They hit a pothole and Coatl staggers but recovers quickly. It’s like watching a nightmare unfold as he reaches Agatha and wraps his hands around her throat.

‘Stop!’ I scream, pushing my legs faster.

The trailer slows as Agatha releases the reins. She desperately claws at Coatl’s hands. His arm.

My heart feels like it’s about to fail as I leap onboard the mobile platform and scramble over the boxes to get to them.

Agatha’s face is a horror, red and etched with fear. Her hands are weak as they bat the air.

I launch myself at Coatl, but he anticipated it and tosses my sister to the floor. His enormous hands fly to my neck, fingers crushing it. I’m so stupid. I knew Agatha was only ever bait.

I struggle against him as his scowling face draws close to mine to speak. ‘You have been nothing but a thorn in my side since the day I met you.’ Sweat pours down his brow.

I hit pressure point after pressure point on his arms. Dig my fingers into his wounded shoulder. But he was my grappling teacher, and he easily flicks my hold off him with a cruel smile. I attempt to knee him in the groin, but he stops me before I’ve barely lifted my leg. It feels like my lungs are filling with acid. My vision darkens around the edges. Fear hotter than a flame spreads through every limb. This is how I die.

Distantly, I notice the trailer moving again. I bend back one of Coatl’s fingers and do my best to break it.

It only makes him scream in my face. ‘Just die already.’