The ceiling exploded.
Stone and dust thundered into the hall.
Something vast crashed through the roof.
It had claws.
It had wings.
It had far too many teeth.
And it was wearing what appeared to be a brass helmet.
The creature roared.
The windows shattered.
Scurlock drew his sword.
Unlike Blackbird’s elegant rapier, his weapon was a long, wicked blade, black as midnight and twice as unpleasant.
“Right,” said Avery. “Who attacks first?”
Lady Blackbird grinned.
“I do.”
She sprang onto the back of a fallen statue, ran up its shoulder, and launched herself at the creature.
Her sword flashed.
She struck one of its horns.
Sparks flew.
The creature bellowed and swatted her aside.
Avery caught her.
Scurlock leapt onto the creature’s claw.
He drove his sword between two scales.
The beast shrieked and shook its limb violently.
Scurlock held on with one hand.
“Guardian!”
“Yes?”
“The lever!”
The Guardian went pale.
“Which one?”
“All of them!”
“That seems unsafe!”
“Precisely!”
The Guardian hurled himself toward the machinery.
Leonardo followed.
“Wait for me!”
“You’re an engineer!”
“Exactly! I understand levers!”
Behind them, Lady Blackbird and Avery attacked together.
Steel rang against brass.
The creature snapped at Avery.
He ducked.
Blackbird thrust.
The blade vanished between its teeth.
She stared.
“Oh.”
Avery grabbed her by the collar.
“Run!”
They fled as the beast bit down.
The sword snapped.
Blackbird looked at the broken hilt in disbelief.
“My sword!”
The Guardian pulled three levers.
Somewhere beneath the palace, a machine awakened.
ping:
