Bravo for you, Tabitha rasped, voice broken thanks to her still-healing trachea. I expected you to fold long before now.
Thats because you think too highly of yourself and too little of those around you.
With good reason. Emotionless.
I will make her feel something. Kaia licked her lips, tasted copper. Mother of the Year Award, meet Tabitha the Vicious. Or not. But dont feel bad. I took Fathers away, too.
Tabitha stilled, blinking, those lids hiding and revealing distress. Im a good mother.
Uh, what? That had struck a nerve? If by good you mean youre the worlds worst, then yeah, youre at the top of the list.
Amber eyes narrowed, the distress vanishing. When youre dead, another Harpy will take possession of your man. You know that, dont you? And as your conqueror, Ill have first rights.
Ouch. Going for the jugular with words now, too, trying to elicit an emotional response. As Strider had said, Kaia was all about her emotions. She could feel the fire springing back to life inside her, heatingheating
She could release the flames, end things now. Theyd fought. Thered be no crying foul now. Kaia had held her own, but though there was no love lost between mother and daughter, she didnt want to burn the woman to death.
What she wanted didnt matter, however. Not now. Do what you gotta do to survive, Strider had told her.
It was time.
Finally she opened her mind to the heat, welcoming it, letting it grow, spreadconsume.
Hotterhotter She didnt know what to expect. Last time, the change had come over her so unexpectedly, she hadnt had a second to stop and think about what was happening. What would she do if the flames refused to come?
Shock clouded her mothers expression. There was a roar in Kaias ears, her body hotter, hotter, then all she could see was a cerulean haze. In less than a heartbeat, the flames had coiled from her pores, catching every inch of her in a raging inferno. Even her clothes burned away.
Sorry about this, Mom, she said. She leapt, closing the distance between them. Contact. They fell to the ground. Flames jumped from Kaia to Tabitha. She paused, waiting.
Where were her mothers screams?
You really think I would have slept with a Phoenix if I wasnt protected against his fire? But Im impressed. You fooled me. I had no idea you were capable of this.
II Had no response. Was too stunned.
Tabitha went on, I cant summon the flames, but I can withstand them. So, fight on.
Once again Kaia was rolled to her back and punched over and over again. This she allowed, more from her own sense of astonishment than an inability to fend her mother off.
When her senses crystallized back into focus, she stopped trying to protect her face and neck. There was only one way to end this.
The punches continued to descend. As sharp pain exploded through her, her eyesight soon obliterated, her throat soon crushedand knowing claws were coming next, and with them, the loss of her headthe heat was replaced by a return of her cold determination.
Do whatever it takes.
Kaia arched up, still taking the blows. Her mother suspected nothing, too lost in the rhythm of her fists, expecting Kaia to slip into unconsciousness at any moment. Kaia reached around her mothers back and ripped. A shriek echoed through the air as warm blood coated her hands. Those fists finally stopped raining. The weight lifted from her shoulders.
Kaia brought her hands to her mouth and licked. Anything to survive, she told herself again. Blood, any blood, was medicine and she needed to heal. Her mothers life force slid down her decimated throat and into her stomach. The effect wasnt as powerful as when she drank from Strider, but her vision cleared somewhat and she sat up the rest of the way.
Her mother lay a few feet away from her, unconscious and naked from the blaze. She might have withstood a broken wing, but she couldnt withstand a total loss of them. Her back was a mess, her wings completely gone. Kaias chest constricted. In sorrow that their feud had come to this, in pride that she had won.
She considered her surroundings. The rest of the fight had ended, as well. To her disappointment, she saw that the Eagleshields had defeated her sisters, who had in turn defeated the Skyhawks. Those who were still standing regarded her with stunned expressions. She only cared about her team.
Thankfully, every beloved member was alive. Held at bay by sword-point, but alive. One at a time, she met each of their gazes. They nodded in apology and appreciation. She didnt care that theyd lostonly that they lived.
They would have a chance at vindication during the next competition. And perhaps she could have validation now. Unconcerned by her nakedness, she lumbered to her feet. No matter what happened next, there were now only three contenders for first place in round four. And whoever won there would win everything. Bragging rights and the Paring Rod.
Had Strider realized how close they were to ultimate victory?
Strider. Her sisters might be alive, but she had lost. By defeating her team, the Eagleshields had defeated her. Strider had just lost his own challenge.
No, she assured herself in the next instant. Hed only sworn to kill those who defeated her. Or was it hurt her? Either way, thered been no time limit for his death-blow deliveries. Right?
She searched the cheering crowd, but caught no sight of him. There were Sabin and Lysander, whod disappeared for a while, too, but had now returned. Both were tense, pale and agitated, clearly wanting to grab their women and leave.
Was Strider okay? Where had he gone?
Was he currently in pain?
She could have challenged the Eagleshields and continued the fight. But she couldnt disable all of them at the same time. One of her team members would be harmed, maybe killed. So she had to decide. Save them, or save Strider agonizing pain.
Praying he would understand, she knelt, admitting defeat.
Three things happened at once. Their surroundings changed, the Coliseum no longer new and fresh but old and crumbling, man-made blockades and humans suddenly materializing around them. Juliettes scream of rage and disbelief echoed from the walls. And, worst of all, Striders agonized shout cut through her soul.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
ABSOLUTE, UTTER CHAOS surrounded him.
Winded, stricken to his knees by debilitating pain, Strider gripped the Paring Rod. Harpies, consorts and slaves raced in every direction, trying to get away before the cops arrived. And they would, bringing reporters with them. Countless laws had been broken and a national treasure desecrated. Even now, blood soaked the ground, pooling around Striders feet.
What the hell should he do? And why was his demon so agonized, moaning and writhing inside his head? Theyd won. Hadnt they?
The moment Lazarus lost his head, the artifact had appeared. Something shimmery had risen from his body and been sucked into the tip of the Rod as if a vacuum switch had been thrown. The warriors soul, probably, the rest joining the piece inside.
No longer able to hold the illusion, the world had returned to normal. Strider hadnt thought of that little complication, and therefore hadnt prepared for it. Had only considered at last acquiring the Rod. Now he had it, but few options for successfully hiding it.
Juliette knew her man was dead, knew he wouldnt have disobeyed her otherwise. That scream She would be searching for the body. Would learn who was responsible. Thered be no covering up the truth. Not now. Too many people had seen Strider hovering over the lifeless body, a bloody sword in hand. Not that he would have tried to cover up the truth. Hed done the crime, the consequences his to bear.
Now, though, hed brought evil to Kaias door. Juliette would no longer be content to humiliate her. Juliette would want to punish her. Hurt her. Destroy her.
The truth struck him and he wanted to vomit. What the hell had he done?
Strider lumbered to his feet, his head swimming. He swayed, comprehension a bitch slap of truth. He had challenged Kaia to win the game; she must have lost. Shit. Shit! Was she okay?
Someone slammed into him and he stumbled, his pain intensifying. His grip tightened on the Rod. He had to keep it safe; he also had to reach Kaia. Sabin and Lysander were probably looking for their women, so they would be no help.
With his free hand, Strider jerked his cell phone out of his pocket. He needed Lucien.
His vision was too blurry to see the numbers. He tried to call the keeper of Death, anyway. The warrior was on speed dial, so all Strider had to do was press three numbersjust threethen utter one wordhelpand his friend would appear.
Someone else bumped into him and he stumbled more forcefully. The phone fell from his hand, clattering to the pavement. Shit! He bent down, his bones and joints protesting as he patted the area around him. Finally his fingers closed around the plastic.
Multiple pairs of booted feet stomped all over his hand, crushing the boneand the cell. Those same feet dug into his back, breaking his ribs and stabbing the jagged shards into his lungs, deflating them. Next, his face was shoved into the dirt.
Stampeded, he thought, dazed. How humiliating. He jerked the Rod underneath his body, hoping to shelter it. He doubted anything could break it, despite its fragile appearance. There was an hourglass on each end, the staff itself thin and wooden, but the thing had been made by the gods. And he was living proof that the gods didnt make inferior products. But the Rod could be stolen and that he wouldnt allow.
He almost couldnt believe that he was holding the fourth artifact. After all this time, the final piece of the puzzle had fallen straight into his lap. At a terrible price, yes, but he had it.
Eventually the footsteps let up and Strider forced his battered body to stand. He wheezed, swayed. A few more Harpies ran into him as they raced past, but they failed to knock him down. Maybe because they werent trying. They were just in a hurry.
Another feminine scream rent the air, closer this time. The agony in that screamagony and rage, blending together in a vicious harmony.
I. Will. Kill. You. Juliettes words reverberated, each one a lash of hatred.
Even though he couldnt see shit, he turned and let the momentum of the thinning crowd lead him away. A few times, his knees threatened to buckle, but he used the Rod as a walking stick and kept going.
How close was Juliette on his heels?
Kaia! he mentally shouted. Theyd never spoken telepathically, but hed never been this desperate to reach her before. He could only hope their marriage had enhanced their connection. Where are you?
Im here. A familiar fragrance filled his nose a split second before a warm arm snaked around his waist, jerking him to the left. Is that what I think it is?
Thank the gods. She was alive, she was here, and they could speak telepathically. An advantage he would explore when they were safe. Right now, he could feel her heart beating against his side, fast, but hell, it was beating, it was beating and that was enough. Yes. Im sorry, baby doll. I had to take it. Couldnt let the opportunity pass. And dont touch it, okay? He didnt know how the Rod worked, how to pass the souls and abilities trapped inside to another person, or how to steal souls and abilities from the living, and he didnt want to risk doing irreparable harm to Kaia. Are you okay?
You cant see for yourself?
Nope. Corneas busted.
That explains why you were about to smash into the wall, she said dryly. Listen. Even though I want to bash your head inseriously, you think Ill take the Rod from you?Im sorry I lost. Im sorry youre in pain. I could have won, could have killed everyone, but my sisters would have died, too, and I couldnt
You dont have to explain. Im just glad youre here. And no, I dont think youll take the Rod from me. But its dangerous and I dont know how to work it properly. Should have explained that.
She tugged him to the right. All right, then. I forgive you for snapping at me, but back to the subject at hand. You hate losing. Honestly, I think you would kill your own mother to win a battle. If you had one. And you put your faith in my ability, but I
Kaia, he said, cutting her off again. You are too stubborn for your own good. Nothing matters but the fact that youre alive, I swear. And to be honest, you arent even the one who needs to apologize. You told me not to take the Rod, to let you win it, but I took it anyway.
I had changed my mind about that.
A tug to the left. I know. That doesnt change the fact that I
You knew? How? Never mind. Well discuss it later. Now whos the stubborn one?
Despite his pain, he found himself grinning.
Damn, she suddenly cursed. Juliettes still on our tail and I cant seem to lose her.
His amusement vanished.
Kaia ushered him down a flight of stairs, around a corner. Shes closing in, and if I dont do something, shes gonna reach us. Without a pause for breath, she pushed him against a hard, cool wall. Stay here.
There was no time to question her. She released him and a second later, a sizzling blast of heat wafted over him. Shed just set herself on fire, he realized.
Female shrieks erupted.
You will pay Juliette began, only to be cut off by a grunt of agony.
He wished he could see what was happening.
Sweat rolled down his body. His pain hadnt lessened and without Kaia there to distract him, to move him, he experienced each lance full force. He hunched over, vomited. He should be fighting alongside Kaia, yet here she was, doing everything on her own. He was a hindrance. If not for him, she could have escaped already, with no problem.
That should hold the bitch up for a while, she said with satisfaction, once again winding an arm around his waist and jerking him forward. Though she wasnt currently on fire, her body temperature had risen substantially.
Youre getting good at that, he said, gritting his teeth to help withstand the burn of her.
Maybe because she keeps me in a constant state of white-hot fury.