Page 92 of Deceived By a Warrior

If Eva willingly approached them, distancing both herself and them from Castle Brannack, there would be no need for anyone else to get hurt. They would have the soothsayer they wanted. Eva was going to die anyway, so why hide?

She gulped. Knowing that didn’t make this any less terrifying for her.

I guess it’s time to be brave, she thought to herself.

Decided, Eva hiked up her dress and hopped over the railing. Hella’s lips curved with delight. Eva tried to ignore that sinister smile as she marched forward.In that moment, Eva decided she would fight her hardest. If Eva was going to die, she might as well go down with a fight.

Finally, Eva found people who truly cared for her. She found a family. Currently, that family safely sat inside Castle Brannack. Eva would be damned if she took that safety from them. She refused to put those who showed her kindness in danger because she wasn’t brave enough to stand up against these two.

Using every bit of strength she had to keep courage in her heart, she walked forward.

“I love you, Darius.” Her words were picked up by the wind and carried into the dark night, heard by no one.

Chapter Fifty-One

Eva Maas

As Eva neared Hella, it took everything in her power to maintain enough courage to continue pushing forward. She was on the verge of collapsing. The fear of her nearing her inevitable fate caused her legs weaken, making each step nearly impossible.

Keep walking,she told herself. Eva may not walk out of this forest alive tonight, but that didn’t mean Hella needed to be anywhere near Castle Brannack when she died.

With that thought in mind, Eva didn’t stop when she reached Hella. Instead, she continued walking, inviting Hella to follow her deeper into the forest and farther from Castle Brannack. “They might see us through the glass doors,” she told Hella, her voice cracking slightly.

“You act as if you’re doing me a favor by distancing us. I can assure you, I’ll have no issues killing all three of you,” Hella snidely commented, though she followed behind Eva.

“I don’t doubt it.” Eva was afraid Hella was right. Shewouldn’t have any issue killing the three of them, which was exactly why Eva was trying to put as much of the forest behind them as she possibly could.

Several minutes later Eva arrived in a clearing. The moon’s light refracted off the low mist, illuminating the clearing enough for Eva to get a sense of her surroundings. Deciding that this would do, she came to a stop and turned to face Hella. The sorceress’ blazing hair seemed to glisten under the moon. “Last time I saw you, you were trying to kill me.”

“And tonight will be no different,” she assured Eva.

“If you succeed in killing me, you don’t think Artem will be upset?” Considering Eva saw the two of them together a moment ago she figured they were currently working together, and before Eva escaped Artem’s fortress in Romania, Artem wanted to use Eva for her powers, he didn’t want to kill her.

“IfI succeed?” Hella laughed. “Oh, my dear child.” Her arrogant optimism was nauseating. “In regards to Artem. He and I have come to an… agreement.”

“You both want me dead.” Eva wasn’t surprised. She was expecting this. “Where is he?” Artem had been near Eva in her premonition of her own death. Originally, Eva assumed Artem would be the one to kill her. Now, she wasn’t so sure.

One thing she was sure of was that the dead body in her premonition was her own. Eva was as good as dead, that was certain.

Hella shrugged as she began to prowl around Eva, looking as if she was a predator stalking her next meal. “Hecouldbe watching us. He could also be after those immortals you call friends.” Hella feigned repulsion. “The poor, lonely girl finally made friends after all these years. How sad.” She continued circling Eva. “It isn’t only you he wants dead. It’s those two vampires you run with too.”

Eva’s eyes widened, her fingers balling into fists.“I’mthe one who fucked with him.Notthem. He should have no reason to want them dead.” Eva was the one who had taunted him in front of everyone,notthem.

“Didn’t they help you escape?” Hella asked, laughing when Eva didn’t immediately respond. “Hmm, it would seem so.”Shit, shit, shit.This, Eva didn’t expect. Darius and Karina did not deserve to die for helping her. It wasn’t fair. “It looks like I may have upset you. If it’s any consolation, I’m sure their deaths will be quick. Maybe that will give you some sort of peace before you die.”

Eva panicked, trying to think of a way to warn them about Artem and Hella, but coming up short. Leading Hella deeper into the forest did nothing but prevent Eva from warning her friends about an upcoming attack. It didn’t matter what happened to Eva. Artem and Hella were going to attack Castle Brannack whether she was dead or alive.

She needed to think of something, and she needed to think of somethingfast.

Hella stopped circling Eva. “It’s a shame your mother couldn’t help you during your life. She is quite a powerful sorceress.” Hella spoke as if she found joy in toying with Eva’s mind. She probably did. For as long as Eva could remember, Hella loved to screwed with the minds of others. Her ego demanded it.

That’s it!Eva thought, an idea sparking to life.

Artem was definitely on his way to Darius and Karina. So, maybe Eva couldn’t keep Artem away from her friends, and maybe Eva couldn’t kill a sorceress as powerful as Hella… but shecoulddistract Hella to keep her away from her friends for as long as she possibly could. If they defeated Artem before Hella could join him in battle, they wouldn’t have to fight two powerful beings at the same time. After thwarting Artem’s attacks they wouldonlyhave to worry about Hella. Sure, Hella was incredibly strong, but she would bemuchstronger if she had Artem fighting at her side. If Eva stalled Hella long enough, everyone may be able to take Artem out of the equation before she had a chance to strike.

If Eva played the next few minutes right, her friends might stand a fighting chance. All Eva had to do was get Hella to keep talking. Which, of course, was easier said than done. Right now, the clock was ticking and every second was critical.

Here goes nothing.

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