Page 96 of Diamond Kisses

I gasped.

Victor.

No.

He can’t.

Tripping toward Henri, I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted, “Victor is in the battlements. He’s going to escape!”

Giving me a feral smile, Henri charged toward us. He staggered a little and pressed his elbow against the blood trickling from his side, but he seemed to glow with the firelight and hum with pure power.

“No, he won’t.” Slamming to a stop before me and Peter, he grabbed my nape with his bloody hand and smashed his mouth to mine. He kissed me roughly, violently. “I love you. Stay alive.”

Grabbing Peter in a one-armed hug, he growled, “Keep her safe. I won’t let him get away. I’ll bring him back for you to kill as agreed.”

And then he was gone, leaping over stonework and mangled guttering, running around broken tables and chairs.

Peter slinked his fingers back through mine as Henri vanished into the gardens, racing toward the open drawbridge. He held me up just as much as he leaned on me for support.

Ben and Stewart looked at each other. Stewart grabbed Pen in a quick hug. “Don’t put yourself in danger. It’s almost over.” Nodding at his business partner, they took off as one, chasing after Henri into the darkness.

Penelope and Abigail came toward us.

They smiled even though their hands and arms were covered in burns.

“What happened?” I asked. “Are you okay?”

Abby nodded. “We were on the team to light the explosives. Some were a little tricky to get right.”

“But it was worth it.” Pen beamed. “Did you see the tower come down? That was us.”

“Now’s not the time,” Peter cut in. “It’s not over yet—”

A jewel screamed in the distance, adding weight to his reprimand.

Kirk came barrelling out of the fortress, holding something heavy in his fist.

I blinked.Is that…

…Oh my God.

Pen blanched. “Fuck, Kirk is holding a head.”

Abby gagged.

Peter sucked in a breath as Kirk tossed the decapitated head into one of the many fires before throwing his arms up in glee.

“Now who’s in pain, huh?” Kirk cackled. “Burn motherfucker.Burn!”

Masters had broken the bones and spirits of so many jewels in here, but grief had been the final straw for Kirk.

My heart hurt for him.

Tears pricked for the loss of his mind as well as Suri.

Sighing heavily, Peter said, “Just a little longer, and this ends, alright?” Squeezing my hand, he nodded at all of us. “Fuck trying to fight alone. We’re all hurt and probably useless against a Master one-on-one, but…if we stick together, like Ily suggests, we can take down the ones who are left.”

Abby cried out as Kirk suddenly screamed.

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