Clelia’s eyes grew round. “You can’t just kill him, Cain.”
“I’m sacrificing my life,” Ivan said. “It’s not the same.”
“For mankind,” Cain said softly.
“For Alice,” Ivan corrected.
They stood quietly for another second before Cain said, “Ivan, do you have any last wishes?”
A whoosh of air left Joss’s lips. Clelia shut her eyes and buried her head against her husband’s chest. Maya lowered her lashes.
Ivan nodded. “You need to take care of Alice, no matter how much she objects. She can do with a father in her life.”
Cain’s expression turned grim. “I stayed away for her own protection.”
“It’s out in the open. Everyone now knows she’s your daughter. She needs your protection more than ever.”
“She will have nothing less.”
“Here.” Maya unclipped a pistol from a body holster. “This will be quicker and painless.”
“A gunshot will attract attention,” Ivan said. “The longer it takes for my body to be discovered, the longer you’ll have to find Alice before the police cordon off the area and it’s all over the news. The minute word of my death gets out, Alice is dead.” He only hoped he had enough time to send Boris to hell and close the portal before Boris could warn Godfrey’s medium of his death.
“I have poison—” Clelia started.
“No,” Ivan interjected.
“It’ll put you to a painless sleep.”
“It’ll take too long for my spirit to surface on the other side if I wake from poisoning.”
“How do you know?” Clelia asked.
“I just know. I can’t tell you why a knife in the heart will mean an instantaneous awakening. It’s an instinctive knowledge.”
Joss placed a hand on Ivan’s shoulder. “Have you considered all possibilities?”
“It’s not like a big waste of life,” Ivan said. “You heard Cain before. My soul is already twisted. This way, at least my gift won’t fall into Godfrey’s hands. At some point, Cain, you would’ve probably been forced to eliminate me, anyway.”
They all turned to Cain, waiting for his command. He stared at Ivan for precious seconds, time they couldn’t afford.
Ivan gave a soft laugh. “I’d rather we get this over with. You’re tormenting me here, and I won’t lie to you and say I’m not scared shitless.”
Cain blew out a breath that made his shoulders sag.
Joss stepped up. “I’ll do it.”
“No,” Cain said. “I’ve got him.”
As if sensing that Cain and Ivan needed their private space, Maya, Joss, and Clelia retreated to the edge of the light.
Cain held his gaze as he folded Ivan’s hands around the shaft, capturing them between his own, before pushing the blade against Ivan’s heart.
“I love her,” Ivan said. “Always have, always will.”
“I know.” Cain offered him a smile. “I didn’t think you deserved her, but maybe I was wrong.”
Ivan’s voice wavered at the thought that he’d never see her, again. “Will you tell her? I may have screwed up there. Tell her I’ll love her forever, in this life and the next.”
“I’ll make sure she knows the truth.” Cain pressed a palm on Ivan’s back while the other fastened on his fingers around the knife. “Your soul isn’t twisted, or you wouldn’t be standing here doing this. You’re a brave man, Ivan. I admire your courage and your selfless sacrifice.” Cain’s gaze pierced his. “Ready?”
Ivan took a deep breath. Facing death didn’t scare him half as much as Alice’s fate should he not succeed. He’d lived his life to the fullest, and he was content with what he’d made of it. His only regret was not telling Alice how much he loved her when he had the chance. He’d allowed fear to ruin that for both of them. This final act was his consolation. Through this deed, she’d know his love went beyond the borders of life itself.
With that hope lodged in his heart, he jerked the knife forward while throwing his weight toward Cain. Cain’s strength helped to seal the deal. The blade sliced through skin and muscle, a surprisingly painless cut that turned his body cold, as if he was suffering from a fever. The heat only set in when the beat of his heart went out of tune, and then, slowly, the burning pain.
Aware of Clelia’s gasp and Joss’s steel gray stare settling on him with turmoil, he fixed his eyes on Cain, knowing he’d find courage and strength there. Cain’s face blurred in his vision. More heated agony set in. Pain shot from his shoulder down his arm. Something warm trickled down his shirt, wetting his skin.
An involuntary groan escaped his throat. His knees buckled as his heart beat weaker. Instinctively, he fought to keep his weight on his feet. Cain’s arm held him up. Breathing was agony. His lungs didn’t cooperate but his body wouldn’t give in. With a shove Cain drove the knife deeper. Ivan gasped and then gurgled. Another twist. Deeper. Cain was trying to finish him off quicker, but he was in good shape and his body strong. He tried to let go, but the blackness refused to take him.