So, actually, Juliette had messed with the wrong family. For thats what the people surrounding her were, Kaia thought. Her family. Not a single one of them would rest until Bianka was safe. In fact, they would die for her. Would die for Kaia.
Just as she would die for them.
Wont come to that. She squared her shoulders, deliberated her surroundings. Juliette had chosen a lovely location. The beach, on this moonlit night, was a deceptively tranquil sight. Across the way, ancient Roman ruins stretched toward the darkened sky and boulders glinted silver. Water washed into sand, creating a soothing lullaby.
Too bad blood was about to spatter and screams were about to erupt.
Juliette, Kaia shouted. No more waiting. She wanted this over and done.
A seething, soot-covered Juliette stepped into a golden moonbeam, her hatred so strong it actually vibrated in the air. Her clan formed a menacing line behind her.
Kaia stopped a few feet away, barely out of striking distance, and her posse followed suit.
Juliette seethed, Im surprised your half-wit self managed to find me, but Im very glad you did. We finish this now. Wheres the Rod?
Rather than answer, Kaia said, Im sorry about your consort, I really am, and I wish things could have ended differently, but I cant change the past. I can only embrace the future. So Im giving you one chanceonly oneto walk away from this. Release my sister and Im gone. The end.
Juliettes reply was instantaneous. Oh, no. You will not leave this land unscathed. She snapped her fingers and two Eagleshields dragged a fuming and bloody Bianka to the front of the line. I believe you had a choice to make, Kaia the Disappointment. Your sister or your man.
Lysanders roar of outrage echoed from the sky. Juliette was lucky Zacharel was here to stop him from rampaging.
After Bianka gave a thumbs-up to her man, she met Kaias gaze and grinned wickedly. Kaia almost collapsed from relief. Hearing on the video that her sister was well was not the same as seeing for herself, live and in person.
Told you, a raspy male voice whispered. Trembling fingers traced the length of her spine. Strider. Despite his pain, he was still showing his support.
And suddenly Kaia could see the humor in the situation. Bianka would forever use this experience to bend Kaia to her will.
You remember the time your enemy kidnapped me? her twin would say. Me, too. Thats why you have to do this one little thing for me.
Actually, she said, tossing Juliette a wicked grin of her own, you have a choice. Surrender or die. Lysander, she shouted. Youre up.
The angels arrowed from the sky. In less than a second, the Eagleshields were on their knees, heads bowed, winged warriors holding swords of fire at their necks.
Wow, that was easy, she said. Hopefully, the Harpies would not realize the angelswho lived by a code of conduct Kaia didnt pretend to understandwere not actually allowed to hurt them without just cause. Whatever that was.
Lysander swooped Bianka into his arms, cooing at her, demanding to know what had been done to her.
Bianka kissed her man, then glowered back at a stunned Juliette. Though kneeling, the leader of the Eagleshields didnt look properly cowed. Told you that you were dumb to mess with an angels consort.
Butbut
Yeah, Kaia said as she watched the realization finally sink in. You were defeated that fast. She snapped her fingers in a parody of the gesture Juliette had used to summon Bianka. And now that thats taken care of, lets discuss a little business. Lysander, will you tell your flunky to nix the fire sword on the brunette and only the brunette, please?
A moment passed in heavy silence. Then Lysander gave a stiff nod and the dark-haired angel who had Juliette corralled backed away, the flickering sword soon disappearing altogether.
Juliette popped to a stand but didnt try to run. Wise of her. Kaia would naturally have followed her and the end result would not have been pretty.
There are only three clans left who can take first prize, Kaia said. Mine, yours and the Skyhawks.
Not true, a female said weakly.
Kaias mother limped from the shadows to stand beside the angels.
She met Tabithas emotionless gaze, trying not to panic. Tabitha had yet to heal. There were smudges of fatigue under her eyes, her shoulders were hunched and her legs shook, as if nearing collapse.
What are you doing here? Planning to protest my place in the finals? Kaia lifted her chin, proud of herself. Thered been no hint of her own emotions in her voice. No tremor to give her away. Well, you can
No, Tabitha said, shocking her further. Taliyah told me what was happening. That is why Im here. I choose to withdraw my team from the competition.
What? Kaia and Juliette gasped at the same time.
Tabitha nodded, the movement almost toppling her. I simply wanted you to have a chance to prove yourself to the clans, without any aid from me. And so you have. I am no longer needed. And as you can see, I am no threat at the moment.
Kaia was utterly speechless.
If thats true, why did you taunt me? Strider demanded, speaking up for the first time. His fury lent strength to the words.
She taunted you? Kaia gritted out, anger helping her find her own voice. When?
It started at orientation, she heard him say inside her mind. Before Tag. He could speak into her mind? Shed known some couples could do so, but shed never expected to be one of the lucky. Bonus!
Tabithas chin rose, a mirror of Kaias own stance. So thats where I got it. Huh.
I didnt taunt you, you stupid man. Amber eyes shimmered with rage. I warned you of her enemys intentions. Youre welcome, by the way. You gave me nothing but grief for my generosity.
Dont call him stupid, Kaia snapped. Only she had the right. But, uh, her mother had tried to aid her? And why should he believe you? You hate me.
Im fine, baby doll. Dont worry about me.
There was the slightest softening of Tabithas expression as she returned her attention to Kaia. Youre my daughterKaia the Wing-Shredder. That is why he should believe me.
Kaia the Wing-Shredder. The name echoed through her mind, a dream come true and so much better than the one shed once given herself. I Didnt know what to say. Never in a million yearsor fifteen hundredhad she expected to hear those words leave this womans mouth.
Just so you know, I do not hate you. Yes, I was genuinely angry that you disobeyed me all those centuries ago. Yes, your actions were disappointing. You were supposed to redeem yourself, but you never did and I tired of waiting. When I realized youd found your consort, I knew you would either lose yourself completely or at last discover the warrior you were always meant to be. And yes, that means Ive been keeping tabs on you all this time. That means I also helped ambush youfor your own good. I was quite proud that you fought off the Hunters and figured out our plan.
That wasnt a confession of love, either, Kaia noted. But then again, abrupt, harsh and unchangeable, that was Tabitha. Was she a liar, though? No. Never. Tabitha stated her thoughts and that was that. Always. Knowing it, Kaia felt her chest swell with emotion she could no longer hide. Her mother did not hate her!
Did this mean they were getting together for Christmas? She doubted it, but hell, this was more than shed had in years. Shed take it. Cause really. Her mom didnt hate her. She would never get tired of thinking that. Rock on!
I cant say Im grateful for the tough love, Kaia replied, but Im happy with my life.
Striders satisfaction slipped around her like a cloak.
Now youre strong enough to keep whats yours. Of course youre happy. Tabitha limped forward to close the distance between them and extended her arm. Here.
Frowning, Kaia accepteda Skyhawk medallion for warriors. A new one. A nicer one than Juliettes. Her eyes were wide as she slid the leather band around her neck. The wooden disk was light, cool to the touch, and yet managed to burn her deep.
Visit me soon, and welltalk. With that, Tabitha faced Juliette. I have long enjoyed your company, as you have enjoyed mine. I knew you and Kaia would one day come to blows, and that was justified. She took your consort. My only hope was that she would be somewhat prepared for your attack. Now she is.
But you should have struck at her consort rather than Bianka. After all the years I spent training you, I would have hoped youd have learned that the punishment should always fit the crime. And so, for your actions this day, I leave you to the fate you have brought upon yourself. An ass-kicking from my daughter. Having said her piece, she turned and stumbled away.
She truly doesnt hate me. Kaia sniffled, trying not to cry from joy. Her mother hadnt exactly defended her, and had called her only somewhat prepared, but still. No hatred!
And now to keep whats mine Looks like its just you and me now, she said to Juliette. Were gonna battle this out.
Satisfaction spread over her enemys face. Oh, really? You wont let your slaves jump in and save you?
The angels and Lords are my friends, not my slaves, though I realize that concept is foreign to you. And why would I allow them to take over? Im going to soak the ground with your blood. Fair and square.
Juliettes gaze shifted to Strider, narrowed, and Kaia halfway expected her to challenge the warrior instead. Winner leaves with your consort.
Bitch. No way in
Do it, baby doll, Strider broke in, speaking out loud this time. He kissed her cheek. Theres no doubt in my mind wholl win this thing.
She had failed him last time, but he still trusted her. She could feel it. Determination rose inside her, an unstoppable tidal wave. Juliette would suffer for issuing that particular demand.
With no interference from anyone, Juliette growled, not liking the complete disregard for her skills.
Done, Kaia replied. Weapons? Ill let you pick. Im sweet like that.
Hand-to-hand. And no fires, bitch.
Cant handle a little heat? She was too coldly resolute to resort to the flames, anyway. Very well. But the way I hear it, youre out of practice with the hand-to-hand thing. Isnt that the real reason you didnt enter the games yourself?
Juliettes nostrils flared. Youll find out.
Strider looked as if he wanted to argue the fire thing; instead, he gave her another kiss. Still trusting her. The tidal wave became a tsunami.
When Im done with you, therell be nothing left, Juliette added as she discarded multiple daggers and a gun.
Youre so deluded I feel sorry for you. Kaia discarded her own arsenal. She watched as the angels forced the Eagleshields to crawl away, preventing them from helping Juliette in any way. The Lords went with them. Strider brushed his fingers along her spine one last time before limping away from her.
Just like that, she and Juliette squared off, circling each other, hatred pulsing off the woman and vibrating in the air. You made a critical mistake, Julie girl, she projected. Throwing Strider into the mix had guaranteed that Kaia wouldnt mess around. This was serious and she would act without any hint of mercy.
Wait for itwait
You think youre invincible, now that youve defeated your mother, Juliette snapped. Well, clearly she didnt give the fight her all.
Whatever you need to tell yourself. Wait
Circlecircle
Ive watched during each of the competitions. The smugness had returned to Juliettes tone. Know what I noticed?
Wait That youre inferior in every way? Wait
Eyes narrowing That you lack control.
How ironic. Right now Juliettes emotions were driving her every move. She thought Kaia was distracted. Kaia wasnt; she was simply prepared.
A shriek echoed. Juliettes body tensingflinging toward her
Now!
Just before the other Harpy reached her, Kaia leapt into the air, wings working overtime, backflipped behind Juliette. Having witnessed what Kaia had done to Tabitha, Juliette had suspected the move and quickly spun. But Kaia had suspected that move and quickly performed another flip. Once again, she was behind Juliette.
Before the Harpy realized Kaia had changed locations, Kaia grabbed her wings, claws sinking past skin and into tendon, and ripped with every bit of her strength. Exactly as shed done to her mother.
A patented Kaia the Wing-Shredder move, and as easy as licking the bowl of her favorite ice cream during Fertile Weekaka Hell Weekbut then, what did you expect from a woman with a name like hers?
Strider whooped. Thats my girl.
Juliette grunted as she fell face-first against the sand. She tried to pull herself to her knees, but she no longer had the strength, and simply collapsed. Blood pooled around her, as promised, the stark crimson nearly obscene against the purity of the white granules.
The Eagleshields were silent for several heartbeats, their shock palpable. Then, gasps sounded.
Grinning, Kaia crouched beside her nemesis. Juliettes pain-filled eyes looked past her. Weve both hurt the other. Let that be enough. Ill even say Im sorry it came to this. But, and hear me well, if you come after anyone I love, I will ruin you. And you know I can do it now. I have the Paring Rod and I will take your soul without remorse. Plus, Ive got those goody-goody angels on my side. You shouldnt have pissed them off. Enough said.
She didnt wait for a reply. Juliette might taunt her about not truly knowing how to utilize the Rod or might even push her to do something she didnt want to do. Namely, take the womans head. So she stood and walked toward Strider.
Grinning, he met her halfway.
KAIA SPENT THE REST OF THE DAY making love to her man, in her bedroom, of all places. Being in her Alaskan house, the very house where hed once broken her heart, was surreal. Anyway, hed gotten an infusion of strength after her victory against Juliette. An infusion hed put to very good use.
Now, she lay in his arms, sated beyond compare. She owed this man so much. Her current state of happiness, yes, but also her confidence in herself. She was strong, but hed made her stronger. Because he trusted her, saw deeper than the surface, never caring what other people thought of her, never caring about her mistakes. And he wasnt afraid to love her for who and what she was, changing her the furthest thing from his mind.