The door swung open, in time for Zari to see Alexandru’s back hitting the opposite wall and falling in the middle of a burning hallway.
“Alexandru!” she screamed.
She and Elsa ran towards him, and when she reached her Master, Katarina was there, too. Together, they helped Alexandru up, who was shaky on his feet, his back badly burned.
“Hellfire,” Katarina explained shortly. “It’s fatal to immortals.”
Carrying Alexandru slowed them down, and with each second that passed, fewer passageways were left for them to travel unscathed. The last one that Katarina and Alexandru had used was already completely gutted with fire.
“There!” Katarina pointed to a window to their left. It required them to balance on a plank of wood that had so far escaped the fire, but they both knew it wouldn’t last long.
“You go first,” Katarina instructed. “Crouch down and carry Alexandru like this.” It would mean Zari having to move backwards towards the window, but Zari knew it was the only way she could carry Alexandru on her own.
“Ready?” Katarina asked. “I’ll follow after you. It won’t hold all of our weight if we go together.”
Zari hesitated. “Lady Katarina—”
The other woman shook her head. “Remember what I said, Lady Zari. If it will happen, it will.”
Zari started to move, slowly and carefully, not wanting to place too much weight on the plank. Alexandru was heavy but she gritted her teeth and pulled her with him. Only a few feet now, Master. I’ll save you this time. We’ll save you—
And then she felt it—
The plank creaking, giving out on their weight—
She screamed as the plank split into two and they started to slip.
But Katarina had dove forward, managing to grab the edge of the plank and pulling it back up before Zari and Alexandru could fall into the basement, which was completely engulfed by fire.
Katarina’s face was red with exertion, and her entire body was shaking as she bit out, “Go now!”
Zari shook her head. “No!”
Because now, it was clear to her that this was what the visions were all about.
“If you don’t go now,” Katarina said hoarsely, “we’ll all die…even Alexandru. And I’ll kill you if you let that happen.”
Zari started to cry. “Lady Katarina, no.”
“Move,” Katarina screamed. “I can’t hold on much longer!”
“Lady Katarina, please, we’ll…”
“Zari.”
It was the first time Katarina had called her by her first name like that, and it was the first time she saw the hunter’s face streaked with tears.
“Promise me you’ll love him the way I’ve never been able to?” Katarina whispered. “Promise me you’ll be the one protecting him? Promise me, Zari. It’s the only way I can go in peace.”
Zari whispered, “Yes.” She looked inside herself. Elsa. Go to her. Keep her from feeling pain.
And then she started to move, pulling Alexandru with her.
The moment she pulled Alexandru out through the window, the fire roared up as if it was unwilling to go without taking someone with it to Hell.
~~~~
La Scala Legaturia was no more when Zari and Alexandru came back. It was completely burned to the ground, just like how it was in her visions. But no one had died, with everyone’s lives saved thanks to the early warning Alexandru had sent.
Or at least everyone had lived but Katarina.
Hunters all over the world came to pay their respects as Katarina’s body was taken back to Chalys and laid to rest.
When the rites were over and her casket sealed in the marbled tomb, Alexandru drew his pet to his side.
Rest in peace, Katarina.
Beside him, his pet squeezed his hand. You have very good taste in women.
The words almost made him smile. I’m sure she’ll be happy to know you think so.
They walked together in silence, and as they came further and further away from the others, it was only then he asked, What now, pet?
Zari took a long time to reply. I want to be strong, Master. Strong enough so that people like Katarina won’t have to die for me. Strong enough so I can protect you on my own.
It was his turn to be silent.
Master?
You understand that if you study in ANEX it will mean we will not be able to see each other for two years?
She wasn’t even surprised that he knew about it, even though she was sure the marquis had yet to speak to his younger brother about her intended transfer. Master, I’m yours for eternity. Two years won’t matter.
You speak as if you’re already immortal. His lips curved, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
The haunted look in his gaze made Zari ache. Master, if you don’t want me to go—