Fireblood

FORTY-ONE

When the metal doors of the lift open, I hesitate a moment before stepping into the transparent room. Devlan didn’t need a way to gain access to the chamber. Sebastian wanted him here.

“Zara—” Devlan shouts.

I exit the lift and rush into the room. Devlan is blocking blows from two knights at once. I start toward his side, but he jerks his head toward the end of the glass chamber. “Sebastian is down there.” He lunges at a knight in crimson, knocking the knight’s sword to the side. “He’s controlling the Taken from Excalibur.” He grunts. “I can’t get in.”

I understand what I must do, but it’s difficult to leave him here to fight. They’re not just members of the Force. These knights were King Hart’s personal guards. They are ruthless.

Devlan swipes at the guard advancing on me, drawing his attention. I slink past, then stagger down through the glass maze. Sebastian has locked himself in the control room, overseeing the fight with the Rebels personally. His actions prove this has gone beyond revenge for him.

I limp toward the end of the chamber, trying to block out the sounds of distress coming from Devlan. As I reach the control room, I pray the knight’s hand will give me access, and that I will not waver, even for a second.

I extend my arm—and the door slides open before I press the hand to the interface.

Sebastian’s golden eyes meet mine. His lips curl into a cruel smile.

I drop the hand to the floor and raise my sword. “Command the Taken to stand down.” I hold his disarming glare. “Now.”

My eyes sweep over him. Tucked into his black belt is my father’s dagger. My chest blooms with renewed anger. Sebastian pulls his hand from behind his back and strikes my sword with his arming sword.

I wobble, then shift my weight onto my good leg, gaining balance against his attack. He blocks my strike easily. “I had no idea you knew the art of swordplay,” he says. “To think we had so much in common, Zara.” He strikes my sword again, pushing me backward into a retreat. “We could have been dueling instead of taking boring walks.”

Grunting, I come at him and slash. He keeps one hand behind his back as he blocks each of my attacks, mocking me. His form says I’m no threat to him. And I’m not sure I am.

His blade slides against mine. “I think I’ll enjoy this even more than facing off with Devlan. Though I wish we had more privacy.” He cuts his eyes toward the front of the chamber. “We do have unfinished business.”

“You’re sick. I’ll never be with you.” I block his blow as it comes at my chest.

He mock-sighs. “That’s the thing, my love.” His sword grazes my injured leg, and I stumble back. “You’re not going to have a choice.” He leers, raising his sword as I hold a defensive stance. “My father perfected the Virus serum before his death. There’s no waiting for it to mutate. I can have complete control over anyone at any time.”

I shake my head, clearing my vision of loose strands of hair, then step into his attack, sending him backpedalling. “Have you always been this mad?” I shift my weight, relieving the pressure on my leg, and knock his sword down. I lunge, delivering a fierce strike to his arm. “Or did my rejection send you over the edge?”

His eyes blaze a fierce, liquid gold. He lowers his sword and glares. “I admit that I’ve desired you for a long time, and that your games made claiming you all the more amusing.” He grins. “But after I went to the trouble of having your father removed, I wasn’t going to allow Devlan to have you.”

All weapons are forgotten. I drop my guard. My mouth falls open. “You sent my father Outside.”

He inspects his hurt arm quickly, then steps forward. I retreat. “Not intentionally. I thought the king would dispose of him in the Oubliette. When your father became ill with the Virus, I honestly thought it was a stroke of luck, or perfect timing. Though I understand now what happened. And so do you. As I said, my father perfected the Virus. It’s going to advance things Outside much quicker.”

I swallow down the aching lump in my throat. “You bastard.”

His brow shoots up. “Well, nevertheless. I was pleased when you became my betrothed. Though you did shock me with your admission of joining the Rebels.” He laughs, a forced, hollow sound. “I was notably thrown. I felt some time in the Oubliette would cure you, and that you’d come to your senses and see that what I was trying to accomplish here—with us—was something great.” He spreads his arms wide. “Now, I’d prefer you to agree willingly. I really don’t want to use the new strain of Virus on you.”

“Never, Sebastian.” I force myself to stand straight against the pain of my injuries. “We didn’t come this far only to allow you to replace your father. I’ll never let you leave here.”

“My father.” He bows his head a moment before looking into my eyes. “I was stricken at first. But really, I should thank you. He was never going to allow me to assume full control over the realm. He held me back, dissuading me from many things. Now, there’s nothing standing in my way.” His eyes stare through me.

I don’t know why his admission shocks me. It shouldn’t, as I can plainly see what he’s become. But the thought that I helped put him in position to rule over Karm hits my gut like a punch.

He cocks his head. “What’s the matter, princess?” He circles me, and I keep my sword ready. “Don’t you still believe in me?”

“I truly did…once.” I hold his eyes for a second before looking past him, seeing the battle between the Taken and the Rebels clearly through the glass walls. Somehow, the Rebels are holding them off. If they’re keeping strong, then I have to forge ahead. “But you will not take me, Sebastian.” I roll to the balls of my feet, readying for an attack. “I’d rather rot in the Oubliette or die right here and now than become enslaved to you.”

His eyes pierce mine. “Still so fucking stubborn.” He strikes my sword hard, and I’m shoved backward. As he pivots to one side, I brace myself for another attack, but he pulls his sword and kicks my injured leg instead.

Pain spears me, and I’m thrown off-guard as he moves in. He drops his sword and grabs my arms.

I struggle against his hold, but he slams my back into the wall. A breath whooshes from my lungs, and my sword hits the floor. He kicks it to the other side of the room. I bring my knee up, but his leg blocks me.

“No,” he growls. “I refuse to let you off easy by using the Virus.” His eyes flick over me. “I’ll just have to break you.”

He backhands me and my head snaps to the side. Blinding pain splinters through my skull. My sight flashes and dims. I turn my head, ready to fight him off, but he crushes his fist to my cheek. I fall to the floor, my vision swimming.

My ears ring, but I can hear footsteps enter the room.

My eyes lock onto Devlan. Fury burns in his gaze as he steps up to Sebastian, sword raised. “I’m going to remove your limbs, then slice you piece by piece, until your bleeding heart is severed from your body.” He spits. Blood trails his lips.

I inch my way toward a corner and prop myself up. Sebastian picks up his sword and widens his stance into an attack position. “This time, friend, don’t throw the fight.” He lunges at Devlan.

Devlan blocks easily. “I won’t.” He knocks Sebastian’s sword down and nicks his forearm, then comes at him again.

Their blades clang as they step forward and backward. It’s nothing like the duel they fought during the tournament. There’re no regulators on the sidelines calling points for blows. Sebastian’s sword slices down Devlan’s arm, drawing a thick seam of blood. Devlan cuts Sebastian across the chest, sending him windmilling backward.

When the faintness in my head finally clears, I begin to scoot across the room, slowly making my way to the control room. Devlan has Sebastian’s attention, and Sebastian’s back is to me. I get to my feet as Devlan pierces Sebastian’s arm with the tip of his blade.

I’m nearly to the control room, just feet from the fighting, when Sebastian shouts and jabs his sword into

Devlan’s chest.

“No!” I cry.

Devlan stumbles, but quickly rights himself and advances. He clips Sebastian across the face, and a wide gash fills with red along Sebastian’s cheek. Then Devlan knocks Sebastian’s sword out of his hand.

Holding his blade to Sebastian’s throat, Devlan demands, “How do we stop the Taken from attacking?”

Sebastian presses a hand to the gash on his face. “You bastard.”

“How?” Devlan shouts.

“Pull the lever to lower the voltage on Excalibur.” His eyes travel between Devlan and me. Blood seeps between his fingers. “With no juice, they’re just empty vessels.”

I step toward the open door to the control room, but before I reach it I see Devlan grip his chest and fall to his knees.

Oh, God.

I move toward Devlan, but Sebastian moves quicker and yanks me into his arms, enclosing me. He presses me against his chest, holding a knife to my throat.

Devlan’s eyes find mine, and I hold his gaze. “Power it down,” I tell him, forcing my voice to hold steady. “Get to your feet, Devlan. Power down the mainframe. They have to be stopped. Now.” I gasp as Sebastian slides the blade against my skin, drawing blood.

Devlan climbs to his feet. “Let her go.”

Sebastian breathes heavily against my ear. “There’s a syringe in the control room.” He presses the blade to my throat. “Inject yourself first, then I’ll let her go.”

I widen my eyes at Devlan, imploring him to pull the lever. He’s right there, so close to it. “Devlan,” I breathe his name. “Do what’s right. Duty first.”

His eyes close, and he takes two deep breaths, his hand pressing his chest. When his eyes open, their pale blue shimmers as they find my gaze. “I love you,” he says. “I choose you, Zara.” Then he steps inside the control room and grabs the syringe.

My heart stops.

He raises the needle to his arm, ready to inject the new strain of Virus—to allow Sebastian to control him.

He’s chosen me over the mission.

But I choose us.

I press my back into Sebastian’s chest, feigning weakness, and his body molds to mine. He holds me closer, as if he’s enjoying my suffering. While his attention is on Devlan, I snake my arm behind me and grab my father’s dagger from his belt.

I jab the blade into his thigh. With a cry, he releases me. I start toward Devlan, but Sebastian grabs a handful of my hair, jerking me backward. I scream and yank free, and the sound of hair tearing from my scalp fills my ears. I turn and face him, then drive the blade into his heart.

His eyes widen, and his lips move, silently questioning. He sputters out a strangled breath before he covers my hands with his. I hold onto the hilt with both hands, forcing the blade deeper. His blood spills over my skin. His eyes lock onto mine; their golden light dims.

I step back as he plummets to the ground, his hands now grasping the dagger. My eyes hold his a moment longer, making sure he’s gone. Devlan’s arms encircle me, and I fall into his embrace. We sink to the floor.