Chapter 42 Sybil #2
“No, my darling,” Ambrose said, frowning. “Now, do as I command.”
My knees gave out, and I gasped as I slammed into the ground, the dull ache turning razor sharp. Pain speared through my body, vicious and unrelenting, but I held myself still. Groaning, I dragged myself to my feet and faced Ambrose.
“I refuse,” I whimpered when another shot of agony laced down my body.
I cried out and collapsed against the wall beside me, my breath turning into wet, ragged gasps as the pain worsened.
A vicious snarl tore from Ambrose’s lips, and a wall of ice surged up between my mates and me.
He lunged forward, gripping my throat and slamming my back hard against the stone.
I heard my mates—my family—call out my name, heard the pounding against the ice, but the sound was faint over the roaring in my ears.
“You. Will. Kill them!” Ambrose roared. His chest quickly rising and falling, his eyes glinting dangerously.
The pain pierced through my body, leaving me breathless. Blood trickled from my nose and over my lips. Ambrose pulled me toward him and walked us closer to the ice, letting it fall away.
“Kill them, Sybil.” He hissed as he slowly started backing away, leaving me to face my mates alone.
I looked toward Samian, wishing that there was a different path than this.
A way to go back in time to stop all of this from happening.
To tell my past self not to make that foolish bargain with Ambrose.
Sorrow radiated from Samian's eyes, his face softening as he drew his sword.
He nodded, preparing his attack, his eyes gleaming with pain.
“It’s okay,” he murmured through our bond. “We will get through this together.”
My heart thrashed in my chest, but I braced myself. Ambrose’s command was to kill everyone but Samian, so I couldn’t attack him head-on. My gaze moved to Queen Cassia as she stood behind Kieran, tall and proud. Melancholy lingered in her eyes, mixed with an emotion I couldn’t quite read.
I moved my focus to Kieran. Unshed tears burned my eyes, my breathing turning into short, pained pants.
My body felt as if it was being torn apart from the bargain demanding I listen, and I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.
Taking another breath, the air caught in my lungs, choking me.
Coughing, blood spilled out of my mouth, dripping down my chest.
Noticing that I wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer, Kieran slowly shifted, readying himself for my attack, agony etched along his face as he pulled out his sword.
My ears rang as I let out a low groan, my mind losing the battle against the torture of the bargain.
I took a step toward Kieran, swallowing the revulsion I felt at the temporary relief of pain.
Closing my eyes, my soul cried out in anguish when I heard Kieran call my name.
“Look at me, Sybil,” he said softly. “It’s okay. I promise you, it will be okay. We can get through this. You can fight this.”
A wet, broken laugh clawed its way from my throat as blood spilled from my nose and past my lips.
A shuddering breath left me as my magic gathered in my hands, forming a sword, feeling heavy in my hands.
I studied Kieran then, making sure every part of him was committed to memory.
Gripping my sword tight with both hands, I nodded to him, preparing him for my attack.
Feeling the bargain's hold on me loosen, I yelled out as I lunged toward him.
Samian jumped in front of Kieran, blocking him from me, his sword meeting mine.
Our swords clashed, and I tried to get past him.
My command forbade me to hurt Samian, the ache painfully forming again in my chest as we fought.
Feeling my misery, Salem jumped from the shadows, stopping Samian from getting too close.
I looked toward Kieran, whose throat bobbed, his face blanching.
My magic hummed when I launched myself in Kieran’s direction.
Though my soul was begging me to stop, the call of the bargain already had its hold.
My grip tightened around the hilt of my sword, and Kieran raised his own blade to meet mine just in time.
He grunted from the force of my attack as he called my name, begging for me to fight against Ambrose’s command.
Kieran arched his sword, letting mine slide off.
Spinning, I swiped my blade before he could raise his again, the sharp edge meeting his chest. Kieran faltered, his hand gripped his chest, while blood dripped to the floor below us.
Nausea rolled through me at how closely the scene mirrored what had happened to Vivi just days ago.
Behind me, Ambrose’s laugh echoed through the room. My stomach clenched with a sickening feeling, watching Kieran bleed, his face pinched with pain. He raised his sword again, preparing for my next attack.
My eyes drifted to Samian, to Salem keeping him away from me.
I looked back at Kieran, and when our eyes met, a tear slipped down my face.
I could feel his heart shatter through our bond, but his whispered words, repeating that everything would be okay, kept me from breaking.
I had spent my entire life longing to be free—free from the relentless pull of the mundane, free from the bargain I’d been tricked into.
All I’d ever dreamed of was escape, of stretching my wings and finally flying.
But now? Now there was only one thing on my mind.
It was time.