The Dark Queen stared down at Alice, her smile widening as she listened to the gasps of air Alice desperately took. As she scratched at the roots with her nails to no avail.
She was tempted to let her die here. To watch the life slowly fade from her body. But it would be much more satisfying to absorb that irritating creature and use her soul to fuel the tearing of the ley line.
So enraptured by the idea of watching Alice die was the Dark Queen that she didn’t notice the soft ethereal glow until it was too late.
The sword came down on the root with power and no hesitation. The Dark Queen howled in pain as the root shriveled and curled back toward the tree.
Alice sat up and took a deep breath as she pulled the remnant of the root from around her throat.
Ashleigh stood between Alice and the Queen in her Valkyrie spectral armor.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
Alice nodded her head.
“Peachy,” she whispered. Her throat aching.
