Chapter 5231

Ursan landed with a shattering thud. Blood sprayed across the shale, and a wet gasp tore from his throat. Terror overwhelmed instinct, and  crawled, claws scrabbling for purchase in a desperate attempt to flee.

“Run?” Kishor’s contemptuous chuckle cut the night air. He flickered again-then one boot crashed onto Ursan’s chest, nailing to the earth.

“K-Kishor, mercy!” Ursan’s bravado dissolved into pitiful sobs. “l failed to recognize your benefactor. Spare me, I beg you!”

“Spare you?” Kishor leaned harder. Ribs splintered with a sharp crack. “Did you pause to spare him?”

A final kick slammed Ursan into a granite boulder. The impact silenced forever. The instant the threat lay still, Kishor turned, warmth returning to his features. “I hope that did not alarm you, Jared!”

“You saved our lives,” Jared replied, gratitude thick in his voice. “Had you not arrived, Flaxseed and I would be corpses by now.”

Kishor waved the praise aside. “You once pulled me out of the Celestial Stairway’s jaws. I vowed then to serve you. Compared to that debt, tonight was nothing.”