Dinastiya Tested // 3rd Book of the Takaryev Trilogy

Chapter 72

"You killed Ravil!" Artem barked.

Leopold glared back at him, round spectacles flashing. "You're out of your mind. Just like he was." 

"It doesn't matter," Artem snarled. "I know you killed him." 

Leopold struggled against the FSO officers that were holding him back. "Lies. He killed himself. You're in denial, my dear boy. Don't you get it? He never loved you." 

Artem scowled, blue eyes almost as cold as Hilarion's. "Kill him. Right now." 

"Wait!"

Artem pivoted on his heels, spotting three men. A tall one with blond hair, a shorter one with a slight goatee, and in the middle...Ravil!

"He's not dead!" shouted the tall one. "He's right here!"

"S lyubovyu iz Rossii!" Leopold shouted back. 

"Bastard!" Artem screeched, revealing his FSO-issued gun and pressing it to Leopold's temple. "I'll kill you!"

Leopold smirked, unflinching in the vicinity of potential death. "Kill Artem!"

Ravil lunged, glasses flashing. He pushed Artem against one of the trees in the garden, wrapping his hands around Artem's throat. Artem's eyes flew wide as he saw the FSO officers point their guns at Ravil. Leopold began to laugh. 

"Don't- shoot-" Artem managed to choke out. 

Ravil punched Artem in the side. Artem yelped. 

FSO officers swarmed around them, trying to pull Ravil away from Artem. Ravil shook them off. 

Artem blinked, his vision flickering. 

I'm going to die, he thought. He's going to kill me...! 

He squirmed and gasped for oxygen, but to no avail. "Ravil- stop-" 

Ravil punched him again, rendering him speechless. 

Artem was starting to feel light-headed. His foot slipped, and he faltered, struggling to keep his eyes open.

The last thing he heard was Leopold laughing hysterically amongst the shouts and cries of the FSO officers.