17
I heard the sounds of the battle begin behind me before I could turn. I leaned forward to undo the chains at my ankles, as the heads of servants rolled on the ground – I could see the metal inside, just like Zaan said there’d be – and he’d already winnowed half the first row of councilmen – soon the heads of Jallisan, Oinan, and Bronan rolled on the ground beside their slaves.
I leapt down from the throne, turned towards the room, and Railan’s power buffeted me like a wall. “You were supposed to die, girl!”
The force of it stunned me and I staggered back until I hit the pedestal where Zaan had been. Feeling its cold stone behind me reminded me of all he’d done to others of my kind – I unleashed a torrent of rage at him. It twinkled in the air between us like fire.
“I hate you!” I sc
