A Shade of Kiev 3(43)

Rhys made the first move in this deadly dance. He flew toward Kiev, gripping his midriff and sending them both crashing to the floor. Raising the stake in the air, he directed it at the vampire’s chest.

Gripping Rhys’ arms, Kiev dug his claws into his flesh until blood leaked through the warlock’s shirt. Rhys grunted and sprang off him. The two men stood opposite each other again, breathing heavily as they calculated their next moves.

Kiev lashed out, attempting to knock the stake from Rhys’ hands. But the warlock dodged him. Rhys caught hold of a rope that dangled from one of the masts and swung himself up onto the edge of the ship. From this vantage point, he stared down at Kiev. The vampire jumped up after him—both of them now balancing on the wooden railing. The two men didn’t break eye contact for a second.

I gasped as Rhys launched all his weight at Kiev, causing them both to fall overboard. Erik, Helina and I ran to the edge. I scanned the waters. The two monsters resurfaced and began clashing in the waves.

“The sharks!” Helina gasped, pointing toward a dozen black fins protruding from the water.

Erik swore. We all raced to the front of the ship, attempting to rein them in. But the two men were so close to the ship, it was impossible. I climbed onto the wooden railing, staring at the sharks. I would have blasted them all out of the water, but the sharks were now circling so close to the two men, I might hit Kiev in the process.

And then it was too late. Kiev groaned. Blood stained the water. I screamed as Rhys gripped Kiev’s neck and submerged him beneath the waves.

“No!” I shrieked and aimed a curse at Rhys. It missed him and bounced off the water. He glared up at me, and, to my shock, let go of the vampire. But even without Rhys holding him down, the vampire still didn’t emerge. I couldn’t even see the shadow of his form beneath the water any more.

“Kiev!”

Erik ripped off his shirt and dove in after his brother. I was about to dive in too, but Rhys climbed up the edge of the ship. He swung himself back on the deck several feet away from me. His dark hair dripping, he glared at me.

“You want to play with magic now?” he asked, his voice low, eyes glinting dangerously.

It was as if all traces of my best friend had vanished now and in his place was the ruthless monster I was used to.

Although I was dying to help Kiev, the time had come for me to face Rhys once and for all. I trembled as I threw my cloak to he ground. I could wield powers as strong as his now. My problem was I didn’t have nearly as much control over them. I’d only had them for a short while and hadn’t spent enough time honing them.

I held out my palms and aimed my first curse. He dodged it effortlessly. I threw another at him. Again he dodged it with ease. Am I really so predictable?

I recalled now how during trainings Rhys had anticipated my every move. He knows me too well.

He held up his own palms and a searing burst of light shot toward me. I put up a forcefield around myself just in time to avoid it.

“I taught you well,” he muttered, leering at me.

I had to relinquish the forcefield as I sent another curse hurtling his way, but once again he ducked.

He raised his palms again and this time, a stream of thundering curses flew from them. I quickly put the shield up around me again, sweat dripping from my forehead from the force of his attack.

Don’t break, Mona. You’re stronger than this.

A scream pierced the air.

Helina lay on the deck about fifteen feet away from me, gripping her chest as her eyes rolled in their sockets.

No!

Panic gripped me. One of Rhys’ spells must have bounced off my shield and hit her.

I vanished and reappeared next to where Helina lay. Although she needed urgent attention, I couldn’t take my eyes off of Rhys as he began walking toward me.

Impatience was starting to show in his face now.

He’s had enough play. Now, he just wants to finish the job.

Although Helina shook at my feet, I fixed all my mental power on Rhys once again. Pushing Helina out of the way, I raced toward the opposite end of the boat as far away from her as possible. Rhys followed slowly, clenching his hands as he walked. He leapt up onto the edge of the ship and stared down at me.

This is it now. I have to end him.

I recalled what Rhys had told me during training: in order to gain full control of my powers, I had to be free of emotion. Something that was impossible to do when I had no idea what state Kiev was in or whether Erik had even managed to rescue him.

As I stared into Rhys’ pitch-black eyes, all the anger and resentment that I’d felt toward him over the years bubbled up inside me. Everything that I’d ever hated him for came to the surface. Taking advantage of my trust and friendship. Stealing away my innocence. Luring me away from my home. Cursing everyone I ever loved to die. Trapping me in a life that wasn’t my own…