I’d hoped that the day would never come when I’d have to go against Rhys face to face. I’d hoped I could just sneak away into the night and never have to witness the expression on his face that I saw now.
My powers weren’t needed to win this battle. I’d already sliced through his heart with my lies and betrayal.
Even as I approached Kiev and restored mobility to his body, Rhys didn’t budge. Although blood trickled down from his head, where glass had cut him, there wasn’t even the slightest flicker of vengeance or anger behind his eyes.
Just hurt. Defeat. Confusion.
Emotions that had come years too late.
Emotions that killed me.
Tears spilled down my cheeks as I helped Kiev up the ladder toward the trapdoor.
“Goodbye, Rhys,” I whispered, shutting my eyes tight as my voice cracked. The only comfort I could cling to was to hope that one day, somehow, he would break free from his self-inflicted chains.
But I’d hung around for too long to be willing to wait for him any longer. I just hoped that if he did break free, he’d find another person who could fulfill him the way Kiev fulfilled me.
Sobs wracking my body, I locked eyes with my best friend for the last time before we disappeared into the night.
Chapter 34: Kiev
We reappeared outside the port to find Anna and my two siblings waiting for us. My eyes fell on Anna. She looked in a terrible state as she moaned with pain. Although my legs were still unsteady, I scooped her up in my arms and we all boarded the ship.
“We need to hurry,” Mona said, her voice still shaking. “Rhys might have let us go, but once Isolde and the other witches discover what happened, they won’t let us go without a fight.”
Erik and Helina set to work at the front of the ship organizing the sharks. We jolted forward so suddenly, I almost lost my balance with Anna in my arms. I headed toward the lower deck.
“Wait,” Mona called. “I need to break your bond to this island before we exit the boundary.”
Impatiently, I put Anna down and stood before Mona.
“Close your eyes,” she said.
I had no idea what she was doing as she muttered something beneath her breath. She pressed her thumb against the center of my forehead.
“Okay, you’re done.”
I felt no different, but I trusted that she knew what she was doing. She hurried over to my siblings to do the same to them.
I picked up Anna again and took her beneath the deck. I ran along the narrow passageways. Looking in each of the cabins, I finally stopped outside one that contained a particularly large bed. I laid Anna on top of it.
“All right,” I said. “Just wait—”
My sister’s scream filled my ears.
Leaving Anna on the mattress, I raced back upstairs. My jaw dropped on seeing Rhys standing in the center of the deck, gripping Helina by the neck. Mona and Erik stood a few feet away, trying to reason with the warlock.
“No!” I roared.
I saw red and launched myself at Rhys. As he held up a palm, the breath was knocked out of me and I crashed back ten feet, landing on the wooden floor.
Incensed, I sprang back to my feet. “Why don’t you fight me like a man?”
Hatred burned in his eyes as they fixed on mine. Slowly, he loosened his grip on Helina’s neck, and she sank to the floor, choking.
“Rhys!” Mona gripped hold of his arm and tugged him back.
“Get your hands off me, traitor,” he spat, brushing her away. “Did you really think that I’d just sit back and let you all escape?”
He continued walking toward me and stopped a few feet away.
“Fight you like a man?” he said softly, removing his cloak and throwing it to the floor. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure.”
Chapter 35: Mona
I stared in horror as Rhys approached Kiev.
“No!” I shouted.
Kiev was still injured. His legs were still unsteady.
“It’s all right,” Rhys said. “I promise to not use any magic.”
He reached for his belt and pulled out his long silver dagger. At first I thought he was going to attack Kiev with it, but he dropped it to the ground. Instead, he stretched out his empty palm and manifested a small wooden stake.
“This wood against your claws,” he said to Kiev. “I’d say this is man to man.”
As I reached out my palms, about to curse Rhys, Kiev held up his hand and shouted, “No, Mona. Stop. I’ll fight him.”
“Kiev, no! You’re not strong enough yet.”
He ignored me and stared back at Rhys, the two men now only a few feet apart.
I watched with bated breath as the two men began to circle each other. Kiev extended his claws and bared his fangs.
Helina and Erik hurried next to me as we all watched with knotted stomachs.