Page 40 of Kiss of Light

Lemar twisted round to face the elven, a wide smile on his face.

“Yes. That’ll be Tala killing your sister.”

Sixteen

Seraefa ran at her. Tala dived to one side, taking the impact on her shoulder and rolling to her feet. She hadn’t realised how much she relied on her shimmer in a combat situation.

She still had her agility and strength, but the fae was fast and well-trained. Seraefa struck like a snake, taking advantage of any opening. Tala was forced to parry blow after blow, sparks showering the pair of them in a steady stream.

She didn’t let herself think about the possibility that she might die. One lucky stab to the heart and it would be over. Instead, she concentrated on keeping Seraefa’s knives from inflicting any more wounds. The last thing she needed was more disabling magic in her system.

Magic made from her own blood. What a fucking irony. She’d be having words with Mama Xiaoling when she got back to New York.

Ifshe got back to New York.

She blocked a lunge to her chest and jabbed an elbow into Seraefa’s face. There was a moment of satisfaction as the fae’s lip opened up. Seraefa fell back with an outraged expression, blood smeared across her teeth.

“You’ll pay for that,” she hissed.

She slashed at Tala’s neck, and Tala jumped backwards. Something pressed into the small of her back. She risked a glance and found she’d backed into the rapid-fire weapon leaning against the parapet.

“Here, I think this belongs to you.” She threw the contraption at the fae.

Startled, Seraefa ducked and Tala smashed a boot solidly into her head. The elven went down, her knives scattering from her hands. Tala squatted next to her.

“Give it up, Ser. I’m warning you.” The elven seemed dazed. Tala heard a noise on the other side of the roof and squinted. “Who’s there? Lemar?”

“Hardly. Your vamp is dead by now, demon.” Seraefa dragged her face off the floor. “Kaeron laid one of his traps for him. You know how he likes catching prey.”

“You’re lying.” Tala straightened up. “Lemar, where are you?”

“Depends which bit you’re talking about. His body’s probably still in the bear trap. But his head, well, that’s somewhere else.” Seraefa smirked. “I was just keeping you distracted. Can’t say it wasn’t fun.”

“Lemar?” Tala peered uncertainly into the dark. “Stop messing around. Let’s go.”

Kaeron stepped out of the shadows and Tala’s heart fell into her stomach. He was holding a sword.

“Hello, demon. Step away from my sister.”

“Where’s Lemar?”

“The Vetali is no longer your concern.” Kaeron glanced over at Seraefa. “I got him, sister.”

Tala swayed on her feet. Her chest was a lead weight, pushing down on her lungs. She couldn’t breathe.

He wasn’t dead. He couldn’t be. She’d given her word that she would keep him safe. Her eyes hardened, furious silver flecks glinting in the ice-blue.

Her conscious mind shut down. Instinct took over.

In a few strides she reached Kaeron. He was ready for her, but he wasn’t the fighter his sister was. He thrust the sword towards her and she knocked it aside.

Normally, she would have disarmed him and knocked him out. Normally, she didn’t kill unless she was fighting for her life.

But this was a long way from normal. Without missing a beat, she thrust her curved blade into his stomach and twisted.

Kaeron’s agonised face stared into her own, mouth wide in a silent rictus. Blood spurted, spraying over her clothes and skin, and she didn’t care. Behind her, Seraefa screamed. Tala barely heard it.

She did not often allow demon rage to take hold. It was an emotion that constantly lay hidden below the surface. Something to be controlled and repressed. Keeping it in check was one of the conditions of having her freedom.

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