Page 94 of Diamond Kisses

I forgot about the pesky hole in my side.

I embraced the cold-heartedness of extermination.

And with a roar, I charged into battle.

Chapter Seventeen

………………………….

Ily

PETER AND I STUMBLED OUT of the burning castle just in time to see Henri slaughter a Master, all while a guard tried to hack him with a kitchen knife. Ben fired his machine gun, clipping the guard, who ran away into the smoky air.

Not pausing to thank Ben for saving his life, Henri launched himself at another Master who shocked one jewel with his remote and suffocated another on the ground with his foot on their throat.

Henri fired point blank into the Master’s skull—transforming him from man to meat.

I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

The way he moved.

The carnage he left in his wake.

Blood trickled from his side, soaking into a pair of jeans gaping around his too-lean waist. The way he fought seemed utterly impossible for a man who’d been starved and beaten for so long. His back a massacre of whip marks, his fury carving him with vengeance.

Peter sucked in a breath as Henri dispatched Ferdinand, snatching the machete out of the Master’s hands and hacking through his neck. His swing was so vicious, so powerful, Ferdinand’s head tipped back, held on by a few strands of gristle.

All around me, Masters fought with weapons stolen from the armoury walls. Jewels had their fair share of daggers and spears, ensuring a battle not a slaughter. Even the meekest of jewels who’d barely looked at me when I first arrived now screamed and stabbed like animals.

Pride swelled my heart to bursting.

Love warmed like a million suns.

Gratefulness and hope, joy and—

“Come on. I have to get you out of here so I can fight with them.” Peter grabbed my hand and yanked me away from the mayhem.

“No, wait.” I tripped as a wave of faintness shrouded my eyesight.

I staggered and shook my head.

No. Not now.

I didn’t have time for this.

Ineededto fight.

I have to.

Peter dragged me farther away from the castle. The arctic blizzard that now lived in my veins made me shiver so badly my teeth chattered.

But I didn’t care.

I was fine.

I’m alive.

And if I didn’t help keep the other jewels alive, I’d never forgive myself. “Paavak…”

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