Chapter 34
Chapter
Thirty-Four
The air crackled with tension, and the scent of rust and acid was heavy around me.
Hayden's eyes bore into mine, their blue hue tainted by the madness that consumed him. His lips curled into a sinister grin—he was about to make his move.
Bending my leg, I sent a hard hit to Hayden’s groin. He immediately released me as he scrunched up his face and breathed through his nose loudly.
Thanks, Dad, for training me.
I scrambled to my feet.
"Anna," Torin called out, not giving me much time to react as he tossed me the fairy Queen's sword.
It was special to me because my mother had engraved it. Glancing at the completed pentagram carved on the sharp blade by Willa’s athame, I reminded myself I was stronger. I gripped it tightly, feeling its power surge through me.
Hayden climbed to his feet, straightening up. His eyes were wild as he looked around the chaotic chamber. When he spotted something, I followed his gaze.
“No, don’t even think about it,” I shouted as Hayden dashed toward a tall marble column.
Behind it, Ashton peered out, wide-eyed and scared. Why hadn’t he taken cover somewhere else? Better yet, he should have run away after his betrayal. My only explanation was that my allies had brought him here, maybe as a punishment. Or perhaps Ashton stayed near to find out the outcome of the war.
Hayden got to the man in a flash, grabbing him by the collar of his coat.
I couldn’t make my legs run faster. I had almost reached them when Hayden picked up something from the floor.
It was the hilt of the King’s fairy sword.
The blade extended, and with one precise swipe, Hayden slashed at Ashton’s throat.
Hayden threw the man’s weakening body with a flick of his wrist. Ashton landed with a sickening crunch.
The sight sent chills down my spine, and nausea swirled in my stomach.
Although I had changed, my identity as a half witch and a half wolf now complete, one thing would never change—I wouldn’t take a life recklessly like Hayden. Although Ashton had betrayed me two times, I didn’t wish for his demise.
Hayden was killing the people I cherished—allies, family, and friends—one by one. It was his way of punishing me for disobeying him.
"Torin. Take care of Ashton," I yelled, desperately hoping he could save our friend by some miracle.
Torin nodded and sprinted towards his motionless form.
I now stood in front of the tyrant, facing him. He lunged at me, his speed unnatural and terrifying. I barely managed to block his attack, sparks flying as our swords clashed.
The fairy Queen’s and King’s swords.
The weight of his blow sent shockwaves up my arm, and I gritted my teeth against the pain.
Hayden sneered, his eyes devoid of any trace of humanity. "You chose him over me, and now you'll pay the price, Breanna."
"Is this really what you want?" I asked, my voice shaking as much as my hands.
Hayden roared, breaking our sword lock and swinging it again at my body. But this time, dark flames ignited around his blade, launching a wave of fire towards me.
What in the world is that?
I narrowly avoided it, the heat searing my skin as I rolled to the side.
Hayden had acquired the elemental powers mentioned in The Book of Thoradis. I wished I’d read more about it when I could instead of rushing to burn it.
I glanced back at Torin, who had reached Ashton’s lifeless body. Sorrow etched his face as Torin shook his head. Ashton was gone.
Focusing on my attacker, my breath hitched as I dodged another of Hayden's vicious strikes, my heart pounding furiously against my chest. The scent of burning wood and flesh filled the air, suffocating me as I struggled to maintain my footing.
Hayden’s eyes had become an emotionless abyss. He looked mad.
I tightened my grip around the hilt of the fairy Queen's sword.
"Your allies cannot save you now," Hayden taunted, launching another wave of fire as he swung his sword toward me.
I barely managed to deflect it with my sword, the overwhelming heat causing sweat to bead on my temples. I used my dwindling strength to propel myself forward. Our swords clashed one final time, sparks illuminating around us.
With every ounce of strength left in me, I plunged the fairy Queen's sword into Hayden's shoulder. The wound wasn’t fatal, so I pulled my sword out of his body.
His eyes widened in shock, and momentarily, I thought I saw a glimmer of remorse. But then, with a gut-wrenching scream, he lifted his blade, his movements a blur of colors and motions, and drove it deep into my chest.
"Anna!" Torin screamed, his face a mask of horror as he raced towards me.
I wilted, feeling my energy drain from my body. As my vision blurred, I watched our allies rally together, sacrificing themselves in a final stand against Hayden's remaining forces.
My body crumpled to the ground, and in those last moments, I saw the regret in Hayden's eyes. The shock of what he'd done etched his face as he stared at his bloodied sword before letting it clatter to the ground.
Although Hayden loomed over my quivering body, he bent his legs slightly and slumped his shoulders.
“Sweetheart…” he choked out, as if he finally realized his madness had consumed him.
Hayden’s hand flew to his chest, and he gripped it over the spot where his cold heart resided.
"Strange…" I thought as I took one last ragged breath. Or had I said it out loud? "He finally understands…"
"Anna." Torin's anguished cry echoed around me.
My mate dropped to his knees and clutched my upper body into his arms. His face hovered above me, his crimson eyes filled with worry, and his eyebrows furrowed in a deep wrinkle above his nose.
A wave of dizziness and pain forced me to stay still.
“Weren’t the good guys supposed to win?” I said in a strained voice, which sent me into a coughing fit.
Every movement of my body made the pain stab deeper into my heart.
“Please, little witch wolf, don’t leave me,” Torin whispered.
I wanted to reach out and caress the hair that fell over his temples.
“The Fates already made their decision, Torin,” I forced the words out.
There was so much more I wanted to tell him and experience with him, but it was difficult to take a breath.
“I don’t know where a soul goes when it leaves the body, but I’ll follow yours,” Torin choked out, and blood tears dripped down his cheeks.
“No, Torin. There are people you have to help and care for here. I love you,” I said.
My tunnel vision shrank, and darkness engulfed me.