Page 42 of The Darkest Knight

All color drained from Niall’s face, but he didn’t look at the woman, instead his eyes were fixed on Meliot.

“The knights came to rescue the damsels in distress,” Meliot informed her in a bored tone. “Why are you here?”

“Damsels?” Devina whirled around obviously noticing Tammie and Erin for the first time.

Tammie did her best to tamp down her fear, although she suspected the thundering of her heart was obvious.

Devina’s eyes narrowed, her head cocked to the side as she stalked toward her. “Who are you?” She took a step closer to Tammie and studied her. “Do I know you?”

“I sired her. Her magic is already strong. I would maintain my distance.” The pride in Meliot’s voice made Tammie cringe. “She has come to claim her birthright and will rule the land, she will be more powerful that you and I combined.”

Niall’s eyes widened.

Tammie fought to keep the fear at bay.

She locked gazes with Niall. She heard his thoughts. I failed you.

Not yet you haven’t.

Devina caught the exchange between them and moved closer to her. She leaned forward and sniffed at her.

“Ah yes, I do know you.” Her face twisted into a rage as she slid a look to Meliot. “She is not that powerful. I am sure you are mistaken. The one you sired is not her.”

For the first time since meeting Meliot, he seemed unsure. “What do you speak of?”

When Devina didn’t reply, he flew at her, curling his pale long fingers around her throat. “What. Do. You. Know.” He pronounced each word slowly, deliberately.

The woman fought against the hold, her hands clawing at his. Tammie took advantage of the distraction and rushed to Niall. Curling her fingers around the chains, she concentrated energy in an attempt to break them.

The chains loosened enough that Niall slipped his hand out from the manacles. Quickly she did the same with Padriag.

When she looked to the door, Niall, tapped her arm and whispered. “Wait.”

She moved away from him just as Meliot released his hold on Devina, the demon gasped in air, her face contorted in anger.

“She was sired for a specific purpose. However, her fate is locked with yours, however. Perhaps a slave... who cares.” Devina whirled toward Tammie. “I doubt she will be agreeable. You will have a fight on your hands.”

Devina stalked to Tammie and lifted her hand as if to slap her, but before she could Tammie managed to hurl a blast of energy at the demon so hard that she stumbled backwards falling onto the stone floor.

With an enraged scream, Devina lunged at her, only to be intercepted by Niall, who got the brunt of the hit and was hurled back against the wall he’d been chained to.

Tammie was in a fight once. A girl in middle school called her a bitch, and before she thought better of it, she’d knocked the girl to the ground and began to pound her. Memories came flying back when Devina rushed at her, fingernails aimed at her face. They tumbled to the floor, Devina screeching and Tammie punching her as hard as she could.

Tammie was able to throw the woman off to the side and jump to her feet. Just as she got her footing, the woman rushed toward her again.

Enough was enough. Tammie harnessed all the anger and fear and threw a fireball at the advancing woman. It was as if the demon was electrocuted. She shook violently before falling to the floor where she was still.

Before Tammie could celebrate any kind of victory, an invisible vise surrounded her, pinning her arms to her sides. How long would this continue? This going back and forth, or more appropriately, one step forward and several back?

Niall and Padriag were being held by the guards, although struggling, it was evident they, too, were tiring.

Exhaustion poured from her and Tammie fought tears. She wouldn’t cry. This was not a time to show any kind of weakness.

The room was silent, and she could barely draw a breath, the hold was paralyzing.

Of the two things, whether she was Meliot’s daughter, or she was to be his slave of sorts, neither was an acceptable option. Demons always lied. Devina had to have lied to distract Meliot, so she could attempt to kill her.

The room seemed to tilt. He was trying to put her in a trance. Tammie clenched her eyes closed and forced her hand upwards. A weak fireball hit the wizard. He flinched but did not release her.