Blood Ward

Chapter 31

I was thrown from the dream andwoke back inside my tent. I was alone and I heard arguing fromoutside. Everyone was trying to figure out what had happened to me. Isat up and quietly changed into my leather outfit that I'd gottenfree in Banaila. Armed to the nines with seven knives, my dagger andmy sword, I slipped un-noticed from the tent and made my way on foottoward the woods where I would meet up with the river that led to thewaterfall which covered the entrance to the tunnel system.

I moved swiftly and quietlythrough the trees, sweat breaking out on my skin. I was counting onnobody noticing I was gone. As far as they knew, I was stillunconscious in the tent. My entirely black, form fitting outfitconcealed me from any guards Drust may have had posted in the woods.By the time I reached the river and followed it to the waterfall, Iwas running out of time. I slipped into the dark tunnels where I wasforced to rely on my other senses without the moonlight to guide me.

I felt around blindly and when Icame to an intersection or a fork, I took the direction that made mefeel nauseous. I finally saw a glow coming from around a bend in thetunnel. I hurried forward, pausing at the turn to peer around and seewhat I was up against.

Drust had Lúthiel chained to thewall and he was holding a running commentary of how no one was comingand he was going to get to drain her dry. Surprisingly, they werealone. I grinned, almost tasting my victory. "Won't you join uskitten? I've waited so long to finally meet you in person."

I didn't bother to try pretendingI wasn't there. He'd sensed me. I stepped out into the light and Lúgasped. "Here I am," I said holding my arms out invitingly."What are you going to do with me?"

"Come to me and I'll makeyou my queen," he said holding out his hand.

"You know, I've gotten thatoffer from a much better man than you. He got rejected. How do youthink you'll fare?" I asked cockily, drawing my sword anddagger.

"Don't be foolish, kitten,"he scolded.

"A piece of advice I'veneverheeded," I sighed.

"We will fight if you wish.Just know, in the end, you'll be mine," he growled.

"Bring it!" I snappedback.

He came at me, fangs bared. Istepped aside, using his momentum to spin him off my shoulder andinto the wall. He recovered lightening fast and charged again.Grabbing my arm, he wrenched it backwards, making me drop my dagger.I swung my sword, catching him on his arm so he released me. Wecircled and charged each other for an eternity, our skills wellmatched.

"How many knives do youcarry?" he asked after I'd embedded a fourth in his chest.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"I said as he came at me again.

At the last second, he yanked oneof the knives from his flesh and planted it in my right shoulder,rendering my dagger arm useless. I cried out and yanked the knifefree. Now I was angry. We fought for a few minutes before we bledeach other again. He clawed my face and I sliced his forearm. I wasstarting to feel sluggish. I needed to end this soon. Planning mynext move, I took my eyes from him for a split second. It was asecond too long. He took two of my knives, throwing them back at me.One of them sliced my sword hand making me drop the weapon and thesecond embedded in my thigh, forcing me down to my knees. "Shit!"I cursed as he bore down on me. He grabbed me by the hair and pulledme up to him.

"I'm going to enjoy this,"he growled baring his fangs. I took the opportunity to reachpainfully behind me with my dagger arm and pull the knife I hadhidden at the small of my back.

No sooner had his fangspenetrated my neck, I gritted my teeth and plunged the knife into hisneck with all the strength my injured arm had. There was no time forhim to break mine and Reif's bond, as he fought to breathe around myblade in his throat. He dropped limply to the ground, choking on hisown blood and I followed not far behind, my injured leg unable tosupport me. With everything I had, I pulled the knife from my thighwith a scream, and crawled to him and plunged it into his heart. Hisgurgling ceased as I dropped next to him.