She could very well kill me.
Taking a deep breath, I kick her with my boots, but her grip only tightens, then I do it again, this time making sure I get her ribs. When my foot connects, the fire drops from all over her body and in its place is a beautiful woman with violet hair. But I have learned they are just as dangerous without the fire as they are with it. Though, at least now my body isn’t burning any longer.
“Tell her I’m sorry, that I love her. Okay?” Araba asks.
I nod and let her fall to the floor, then turn to face where I know he was standing and look out to meet his gaze. Only he is visible as if he chooses. “You play a game of evil kings and queens, making us kill each other. You are both as bad as one another.”
I feel her stand behind me and move in my direction. As she does, I step to the side, leaving my foot where it is so she trips as she runs at me, falling headfirst into the bars of the cage. The loud bang from her head hitting echoes all over the room, and when I look down, blood pools around her head.
A scream rips through the crowd, which I still cannot see but know is there, then the cage starts to shake.
“Araba!” Her name is screamed from a group of women who I can only presume to be her sisters.
“Is this what you wanted?” I yell into the nothingness, not being able to see a single soul again.
Then, before me on the other side of the cage, he appears.
Viper.
“Yes, it is exactly what I wanted. You had to know what it’s like to kill because soon you will not have a choice. This was for you. Not for me, Talia.”
“Lies,” I spit at him.
“I knew you would take the place of your sister, and I knew exactly who would win.”
A scream rips through the air again, and I know this one is Cinitta. I hope she didn’t just hear her king play with her sister’s life, knowing full well she was going to die.
“I want what I came for,” I seethe.
He bows and the cage opens, letting me see the crowd gathered around. All eyes fall on me and scan me with fear. I look down at myself to see what they see. My clothing is singed and torn, and most of my skin on my body is now covered in red, swollen burns, my face probably no better off. When I glance to my left, Cinitta and her sisters climb into the cage and surround their fallen sister. My heart aches, and anger and disappointment that I was the one to do that takes hold in my belly.
To kill her.
I’ve never killed anyone with a soul.
Yes, I have harmed others with my powers, but never with my bare hands have I purposely set out to kill someone. My heart sinks as a hand grips mine, and I know straight away it’s my sister without even looking, the feeling comforting.
“I’m sorry,” is all she says. “But I’m glad you’re alive.” I feel her eyes inspecting me as my gaze stays glued to the cage. Dark blood coats the white floor as the sisters pick Araba up, her lifeless body hanging there.
“You’re hurt, we need to tend to your wounds.” My sister inspects me, but I pull my hand away.
“I don’t deserve it,” I say, knowing full well the pain I feel is what I deserve right now. What I have to suffer through. I need to know this pain because Araba can no longer feel anything. And that’s thanks to me.
“Talia.” His voice comes from in front of me, and as I go to open my mouth to scream at him and possibly even kill him, he touches my forehead and the world goes black.
Asshole.
Chapter Sixteen
As soon as my eyes open, I move off the bed and stand. My eyes search the room, and I find my sister sitting off to the side, her head hanging low, with her hands on either side of her neck. When she lifts her head, a small smile plays on her lips.
“You’ve been asleep for ages.” I look out the window where the sun is starting to rise. I’m not in the same room I was the first time I awoke here. This one is all white and is the complete opposite of the other one.
“My…” I study my hands and arms and touch my face. The burns are all gone.
“He had a healer. She healed you while you were asleep,” Tatiana answers my unspoken question.
“Where is Patrick?” I don’t remember seeing him at all last night.
“Viper put him in a cage, said that’s where the dog belongs.” She stands and rubs her eyes.