Wrath of Empire (Gods of Blood and Powder, #2)

by Brian McClellan

“I broke a rib?” She nodded. He prodded the area gingerly, but felt no pain. “Did you heal it?” She shook her head. Styke climbed to his feet, expecting the lances of pain at any moment, but they never came. “What did you do? Block the pain?” Ka-poel pursed her lips and wiggled one hand back and forth. More or less. “This is going to a hurt later, isn’t it?” She grinned wickedly. “Pit.”

She trembled and wept, wishing any of this was real, knowing that it was the wishful hopes of a dying mind. “I missed you, Bo. I wish I could really say good-bye to you.” “Shush now,” Borbador said, pulling Vlora’s head against his chest. “Your family has come for you.”