Adept (The Essence Gate War, Book 1) - By Michael Arnquist Page 0,181

to have made it mad.”

Amric turned in the saddle to find Valkarr.

“We cannot face her directly again,” the Sil’ath said. “Our blades were little more than annoyances to her. We need to wear her down.”

“Agreed,” Amric replied. “Ride on to the ground and lure her away from the hive. I think she draws power from this location, somehow. Spread out so that she can only chase one at a time, while the others dart in and out quickly. She’s too big for a single killing stroke. Try to bleed her with smaller wounds instead. Weaken her slowly, and then finish her.”

Valkarr’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded in response as he rode. Behind him, Innikar gave Amric a questioning look.

“You talk as if you will not be there,” Sariel hissed into his ear, giving voice to their puzzlement.

“I am hoping it will not come to that,” Amric said with a tight smile. “But those are my orders––my suggestions––in case this does not work.” He handed her the reins.

“In case what does not––” she began.

Amric whipped a leg over the saddle and dropped from the horse.

Sariel shifted forward into the saddle and pulled back on the reins, slowing the big bay, but Amric waved them all on.

“Go!” he shouted. “I think I know how to stop her, but follow Valkarr’s lead if I am wrong.”

The riders exchanged glances, hesitating precious seconds more before spurring their horses onward down the outer surface of the hive. Syth lingered last, clearly torn as mad admiration shone in his eyes. Finally, he threw a long look toward the retreating form of Thalya on her mare, and he turned his horse after the others. Amric smiled; he wondered if Thalya knew.

“You are going to need a bigger weapon!” Syth called back as he rode away, and then Amric was alone.

I know, Amric thought. I am hoping I have brought one.

He turned to face the charging Nar’ath queen.

The riders had made good time, aided in large part by the gradual sinking of the dome. Amric now stood significantly closer to the wasteland below than to the top of the hive. The queen had gained ground on them, certainly, but her own mass and the decaying surface was hampering her progress. The fringe of small appendages skirting her huge form dug into the stone beneath her, keeping her from sliding out of control. She released and grabbed anew in a rippling, insect-like crawl. It brought her toward Amric at an alarming pace, but he was grateful to find it was nowhere near the blinding speed she had exhibited below.

He would need the time, if this was even going to work. If he was not insane after all.

Amric reached inside, searching for the presence he knew was there.

I need you now, he thought. You wanted to fight together. This is our chance.

For long, sickening seconds there was nothing. Amric watched the Nar’ath queen, radiating power and rage, clawing her way toward him. Then the familiar presence filled his mind, drowning his senses. Feelings of fear and urgency hammered at him, wrapping his own emotions and amplifying them until he was all but crushed beneath their weight. He staggered and almost went to one knee as a wave of dizziness struck him.

No! he commanded, gritting his teeth. If we fight for control, we will both die. This time we work together.

The pressure receded and the presence became hesitant, confused. It seemed to Amric like a wild animal, uncertain whether to attack or flee. He needed it to do neither of those, and instead accept a third alternative. His alternative.

I have done my best to deny your existence, he thought. Well, no longer.

The hive shook beneath his feet, and the Nar’ath queen came on.

You have hidden from me within my own mind, and sought to overwhelm me by acting on my behalf, he continued fiercely. No longer.

The Nar’ath queen drew near, glaring her hatred from a ruined face. She crouched low with her torso, squatting with forelimbs outstretched like a massive spider, while the serpentine rear part of her form gathered and tensed for the final pounce.

This time we work together, Amric repeated, lifting his arms.

Power roared within him, filling him like an ocean of white fire.

The Nar’ath queen’s glowing green eyes widened in sudden fear and outrage. “Adept!” she screamed. “Deceiver!”

With thunderous force that shook the dome anew, she catapulted into the air toward him. Amric raised his hands, palms outward, and made a sharp pushing motion. The monstrosity struck an