He didn’t, likely because Paulinus had backed up again, breathing heavily, as she struggled to quell the rage turning her insides to fire. She glared up at Paulinus through her hair as the harpy dragged her to her feet.
“You won’t leave him behind.” She spat blood after the words, grateful not to see any teeth fly out of her mouth.
The harpy forced her onto the altar. The stone was cold and hard beneath her back.
“He’ll find a way to free me when he’s on the other side.” He growled the words.
She almost sagged with relief. It was his son he wanted to free. Her plan could work.
“You think to sacrifice me for him.” She laughed. A surge of confidence drowned out her fear, despite the cold stone of the altar that bit into her back. Boudica’s courage—no, her own—was rising to the surface. But she was going to try to win this with her mind, not her sword. Because she wanted to get the boy out. She needed to get the boy out.
“What kind of sacrifice is that?” She laughed again and watched as he trembled with rage at her ridicule. She, who was pinned to the altar, ridiculed him. “Killing your enemy is no sacrifice. It’s like a shepherd sacrificing a wolf and asking the gods to keep the wolf’s brothers from attacking his flock.” She chuckled. “Do you think they would listen? Do you think they would give him what he wanted? It’s no sacrifice.”
He threw his book to the side. “You caused his death. When he kills you on the altar, it will be sacrifice.” He swung his head around, searching the clearing. “Maximus! Come here. It is time!”
“Where is this son of yours?”
Cadan stepped from the trees. Vivienne followed close behind. The trembling boy was cradled in his arms, but Diana couldn’t bear to look at his face and see the fear there. It wasn’t a truly perfect plan, but it was the only compromise she could make. She craned her neck and watched Cadan lay the bound boy on the ground at his feet and raise his bow.
“Hello, Paulinus.” Cadan’s voice was harsh, his smile evil.
Had she not known him, she’d have wondered who the bad guy was here.
“You remember the Trinovante clan, do you no’, Paulinus? My father was king, until you burned our homes and killed my family. I’d be happy to return the favor.” Cadan dipped his bow toward the boy, but not enough so the boy could see. Through her rage and fear, Diana was grateful for his foresight.
“Let him go.” Paulinus’ voice cracked with fear. He stepped forward; Cadan stepped back. “You can’t kill his soul,” he blustered.
“Are you sure?” Cadan asked.
She could see in his eyes that he wasn’t.
“Now,” Diana said.
Cadan raised the bow and shot the harpy who held her down. Its body thudded to the ground and Diana scrambled off the altar. She yanked the short sword from the sheath at the harpy’s side and crouched behind the altar, glaring at Paulinus. Now they would fight.
“Harpies!” Paulinus roared.
The trees seemed to quiver as his voice echoed through the forest. Creatures skittered through the brush, heading away from the clearing. Diana glanced frantically at the sky. They’d killed all the harpies in the clearing, but he must be calling others to him.
An ominous flapping sound cut through the forest. Four harpies dropped from the sky, their black wings spread and their beady eyes trained on her, Cadan, and Vivienne.
“Stay with the boy,” Diana yelled at Cadan.
She charged the harpy nearest her and met it with a clash of steel. The first blow sent a vibration singing up her arm. Harpies were damned strong. Fast too, and its blade swiped across Diana’s side. Pain streaked through her, but not so much that she feared for her life.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Cadan felling one harpy with an arrow and turning to sight another. Vivienne battled one with the long dagger in her hand. Her eyes were bright with a lust for vengeance.
The desire to help Vi gave Diana a burst of strength. She used it to decapitate the harpy. She turned to help Vi and saw that her friend had somehow stabbed the harpy through the throat. Vi was bleeding from her arm and thigh, but was standing tall. The other harpies were on the ground, demon pincushions stuck with arrows.
Vi joined Cadan, who now stood between Paulinus and his son, his arrow trained on the general.
“A step closer, Paulinus, and the first arrow goes into you and the second into your son,” he said.
Paulinus shot him a look of such hatred that Diana shivered. Then he turned the glare on her.
“We can fight,” she told him. “And I will destroy you. I killed your earthly body. You know that I’m the only one who can kill you here. Who knows where you’ll go then? Away from your son, that’s for sure. Leaving him here, alone with us.”
His face twisted, flames behind his eyes that reached out for her. She took a few steps back from his advancing form.
“Or, you can sacrifice yourself and ensure that your son lives,” she said.
He stopped short but kept his sword raised. “What do you mean? I didn’t kill him.”