57. Keelan

Chapter fifty-seven

Keelan

I sprinted forward, seizing a heavy goblet from the floor behind the scarlet-clad leader. I closed the gap in two strides and clubbed the figure in the back of the head.

They toppled to the stage in a heap.

My eyes rose.

A robed figure cradled the Princess in his arms. The Child struggled with her limp weight but continued forward at a slow, steady pace. The figure remained focused on Jess.

I leaped down the steps and sprinted toward them.

The fox's eyes flew up as my meaty fist drove into the center of his mask. Overwhelming strength and momentum crushed the man's nose and dropped him to the floor. I lifted the Princess and began walking toward the stage, mimicking what I'd seen the fox do.

Within a heartbeat, the chamber stood empty .

All the figures had fled, either in panic or anger, desperate to catch whoever dared interrupt their sacred ritual. I climbed the stairs and retreated to the now-darkened hallway.

Somewhere ahead, a man called out, "I've got him!"

The sound of countless boots striking stones receded.

I waited.

I felt the Princess breathing.

She thrashed, as though trapped in some horrific dream. I held her close, hoping to comfort and keep her quiet.

The passage remained still and silent, so I inched toward the exit.

I stepped outside.

The bodies of robed Children lay strewn everywhere, arrows protruding from shoulders and backs and chests.

Two men in midnight leathers shot forward. One hissed, "We have to go. Now !"

"Where's the Prince?"

The Constable shook his head and tugged at my arm. "We haven't seen him or his men. We'll all die if we don't get out of here. We can't hold off hundreds of them."

He was right.

We had to get the Princess to safety.