Artemis and Caspian: The Spy

Chapter Twenty Nine

Lady Kendra's electric hazel eyes snapped open as the sword came for her throat. Acting on instinct, she rolled out of the way just as the blade hit her pillow, tearing it open to spill the insides. In one fluid movement, she grabbed the hilt of her ax near her bedside, expertly swinging it at her opponent's head. The intruder half covered by darkness let out a soft growl to display his disappointment as he pushed her ax away.

"Who are you?" she yelled, scrambling off the bed and timidly making her way toward the waiting foe. Then she heard his laugh, carrying through the darkness like a siren's song.

Cerberus.

She spun her ax eagerly in her hand as anticipation rippled through her muscles, causing them to twitch under her skin. This was it, this was the day she would finally put this whole war to rest. When she got close enough to see him, she straightened up, letting him catch a glimpse of her white teeth as she smiled at him through the streak of moonlight streaming through the window.

"Well well. What do I have here? Lord Cerberus, I knew this day would come but I never expected you to take the coward's way out."

"And what's the coward's way out?" he laughed, his voice sickly sweet, dripping with sarcasm. The two circled each other like sharks in a dance, stalling the first move, death on their minds.

"Striking me while I sleep," Kendra stopped to stroke the blade of her ax between her fingers. "If you're planning on killing me, at least make it a fair fight."

"I prefer to take the easy way out. Why waste energy? Come on Kendra, you should know this about me," he teased, getting low to the ground, trying to anticipate her first move. He was going to enjoy running the Lady of Calatan through. Kendra laughed for a second then lunged, the edge of her worn ax making a loud clang against the newly forged steel of his sword. Cerberus shifted his feet to gain traction, easily pushing her off.

"You're stronger than I remember," Lord Cerberus said with some effort as he straightened again, watching her closely. The Lady was circling him like he was prey, her hazel eyes narrowed into slits. When she thought she sensed weakness, she lunged again, aiming for his throat. Cerberus with a bit more difficulty hit her ax away. Damn, she was faster too.

"I've learned a few things," she huffed, blowing a strand of deep brown hair away from her face. This time Lord Cerberus struck with his sword held above him, bringing it hard down on her head. Kendra dodged him easily and kicked him as he slid past her. He stumbled but recovered quickly, turning to face her. There was mischief lingering in the depths of her electrifying hazel eyes. She was toying with him and it infuriated the Lord. Yelling he ran to her, trying, again and again, to get to her neck but the Lady cooly blocked every blow, expertly pushing him off with a practiced ease. When they broke apart again, the Lord could see she was out of breath but so was he. He glanced past the Lady out the open window. The light of the moon was fading, he needed to get this over with. As soon as the sun rose, everyone would be wondering where the Lady of Calatan was and his cover would be blown. He needed to find a weakness. Cerberus looked over at the Lady who stared at him intently, focused. If he wanted to beat her he would need to strike a nerve, he would need to summon thunder, he would need to blow her temper.

"You shouldn't have returned to Calatan," he said smoothly, lowering the sword slightly. Lady Kendra didn't hide shock well and the Lord could see his comment catch her off guard as she cocked her head to look at him.

"What are you talking about?"

She swiped at him, distracted, missing his chest with delayed precision. The Lord smiled, she was getting sloppy.

"It made you weak."

Lady Kendra yelled and went for him again but this time the Lord was ready, blocking her easily and kneeing her in the stomach. Lady Kendra staggered back as she placed a forearm over her wound, winded as she struggled to breathe. The Lord took the opportunity to strike again but the Lady held out, digging her heels into the floor to block his blow with both hands.