Warrior Rising - By Pamela Palmer Page 0,79

He slammed his visor down, hearing the click of Charlie's visor behind him as he tugged Ilaria back, blocking her with his body.

She gave a disgusted huff. "Arrows can't hurt me, Harrison. They can kill you."

He knew she was right and squeezed her hand, then felt his own hand lifted to her lips for a sweet kiss. With a smile, he tugged on her hand and together they raced down the rocky path, arrows whizzing past. One arrow sliced across his upper arm, sending a blazing fire ripping through his flesh. Liquid warmth began to trickle down his arm, but he said nothing. He could still run, still fight. And that's all that mattered.

"Let's get Rith," Charlie said behind him.

"No. He's mine alone."

"Harrison..." Charlie came up beside him. "We're taking him together."

But Harrison shook his head. "The draggon stone chose me for this. I need the rest of you to take on the guards."

The five Esri guards gathered in a line between them and their king, two firing arrows as three pulled swords.

Charlie's mouth compressed, but he hesitated only a moment. "All right, then. Tarrys, can you hit their weapon hands?"

"Of course."

"Do it from back here. Harrison, I'll block for you, then keep them busy."

"Good." Harrison turned to Ilaria. Their gazes slammed into one another's and he felt her love flow through him, filling him with strength and purpose.

"Be careful," he said.

"You, too."

Tarrys's aim was perfect, as always, and she injured the weapon hands of all five Esri so quickly she might as well have shot the arrows at once. As swords and arrows fell harmlessly to the ground, Charlie dive-tackled the closest guard, slamming him into a second and giving Harrison an opening.

Harrison took the opportunity, and leaped onto the outer marble walkway and down into the trough. But as he reached the inner ring of columns, a blast of energy hit him square in the chest, knocking him back with a force that stank of decay. And evil.

The lightning swirling inside him called to him. Acting on pure instinct, Harrison lifted his hand and willed that energy at Rith, then watched with amazement as a fireball flew from his palm. Holy cow. The king stumbled back, barely catching himself from falling off the platform.

Violent satisfaction curled Harrison's lips.

At the edges of his mind, he felt the magic call to him again, demanding he open himself once more. This time he did so without hesitation, feeling the souls of the dead kings and queens who resided here urging him on.

He pushed forward, onto the dais, and leaped for the stairs. But even as he felt an inflow of power, Rith hit him with a blast that knocked him into the air, sending him sprawling on the marble behind him. His teeth clattered together, the wind knocked out of him both from the force of the landing and the certain knowledge that Rith's terrible power was growing.

How, he didn't know. Was he, too, gaining strength from the temple, or was he absorbing the energy Harrison threw at him, making it his own?

Harrison forced himself to his feet, his back and tailbone aching. Gathering the forces within him, he attacked his opponent with all he had, hoping it was enough to knock the bastard off that pedestal once and for all.

But Rith didn't even stumble this time. His eyes gleaming with victory, he raised his hand and fired.

The blast picked up Harrison and threw him backward into a column. His head smacked against the marble, his vision narrowed to pinpoints of light as he landed in a boneless heap on the marble slab. He willed himself to rise, to fight back, but the pain was too much. His mortal body wasn't built for a battle between gods. He'd come so close to victory. But for him, this battle was lost.

* * *

Ilaria saw Harrison crash against the column and go down. A cry escaped her lips at the sight of him, his body lying at an impossible angle. It was all she could do not to run to him to try to heal him. But the situation demanded otherwise. There was no time. The wall between the worlds hung together by the finest thread. Within moments, even that would be gone and the worlds would collide in a violent explosion of magic and destruction.

Even now, Rith stood high upon his platform, his magic tearing apart the sky. Rain poured down in a stinging torrent, drenching her hair and gown as she