The Wind's Call (The Broken Lands #4) - T.A. White Page 0,120

the next minute, burying his sword in the thing’s side. The blade stuck. Jason swore, yanking futilely on it.

He ducked and weaved as the wood person reached for him, trying to stay away from its arms.

"Let go, damn you." Jason heaved, planting one foot against the wooden figure and shoving it.

The sword popped free, nearly toppling Jason before he caught himself at the last minute.

Eva dodged as another of the wood figures swiped at her. She let out a small scream as branches from a second caught in her hair. Her eyes teared up as it yanked painfully, ripping a few strands free.

She thrust the dagger at it and tore herself loose. There was a rip and a spark of pain as one of the sharper branches dragged along her shoulder.

Two of the creatures lumbered toward the gate, wood creaking. If they got out, they might kill someone before anyone knew there was anything to defend against.

"Danger," she screamed. "We're being attacked."

It was all the warning she had time for as another came for her. They were getting quicker. The slow, jerkiness of their movements smoothing out.

She rolled under another's outstretched arms. She'd learned from Jason's example—a direct thrust would only leave her weaponless when the blade caught. Better to dodge and evade unless absolutely necessary.

The wood person followed up with a kick to her stomach. Eva's breath left her in a whoosh. One of the children crawled rapidly across the courtyard grounds, grabbing her foot before dragging her toward one of the adult-sized figures.

She couldn't help the scream that left her lips as the creature’s spindly fingers sank into her ankle with bruising force.

Another piled on as Eva fought to get free.

Jason shouted, rushing in and wielding his sword like a club, knocking one away from Eva, only to be tackled from behind.

He was quickly overwhelmed as more and more of the creatures crawled out from their hiding places.

One of those holding Eva reared back, the wood along their arm reshaping into a point.

Eva's eyes widened as she thrashed in horror. She kicked it in the face, the blow knocking it back only slightly.

There was an exclamation from the gate and then a sharp whistle before an ax buried itself in the wood person’s neck.

Bright green sap spurted from the wound, drenching Eva. Her skin burned where it touched.

Strong hands wrapped around the back of her shirt and yanked, dragging her free.

Fiona's expression was aghast as she helped Eva to her feet. Caden burst past them, his sword a dance of light as it dismantled and beheaded the creatures who were even now rallying themselves to attack again. They paid little attention to Caden, despite the danger he presented.

"How is it you always manage to happen onto strangeness?" Fiona shouted.

Ghost and Roscoe waded into the fray with gleeful battle cries. Despite the exultation on their faces, they were careful to stay near the two women, guarding them as their swords moved in graceful arcs, each trying to top the other for style points.

"I think it might be a Lowland trait," Roscoe shouted over his shoulder. "Isn't the Battle Queen the same?"

"She's from the Highlands, you lout," Fiona snapped. "Mind your left side. Keep your defense up."

Beyond them, Caden was a whirling dervish, at once beautiful and deadly—his face a mask of fury.

It wasn't directed at her, but Eva couldn't help a small shiver of fear, remembering not so long ago when Caden could intimidate her into silence with merely a look. Seeing him like this made her remember why.

He was death incarnate, a god come to the mortal realm as he dealt destruction and devastation with equal abandon.

The creatures stood no chance against him. Each movement was quick and precise.

It was over in moments, leaving the creatures kindling on the ground. Caden stood in the middle of it all, his Anateri beside him.

His chest heaved as he cast one last glance around, checking to see if any of the creatures were still alive.

"Would you like to tell me why you're in the center of trouble once again?" Caden asked Eva, his voice unnaturally calm.

The thin leash she kept on herself snapped. The fear she'd had to put aside while under attack coupled with the relief of surviving, burst free.

"Oh yes, let's blame me for this." She threw her hands up. "Because I'm the one who brought those things to life and told them to attack me."

She realized she still had a bunch of twigs in her hand from the