Kiev continued to stare at Matteo, inhaling a sharp breath.
“The Elders have cast their shadow over many lives,” Matteo said, his eyes darkening. “I should know. I was once a child of the same evil that inhabited you for centuries. I can’t ever forget what it felt like to hold absolute belief that I was incapable of disobeying my father.” Clenching his fists, he shivered. “It’s a hold that makes a person believe he is no longer capable of goodness, and so he simply stops attempting to fight the darkness. Until—by some mercy—a glimmer of hope sparks from a fire outside of him. A hope that springs alive, and eventually has the power to transform if he cares to guard it enough…”
Matteo paused, his eyes glazing over as he drifted off somewhere else.
“No,” he murmured after a few moments, his bloodshot eyes becoming focussed again. “I don’t think that damning you is my path to solace.”
Overwhelmed and worn down by the clashing emotions firing from all three of our hearts, it was my turn to break down into tears, sobbing alongside the two men. I forgot myself as I partook in their grief with abandon.
Without thinking, I walked over to Matteo, kissed his cheek, and cradled his head in my arms. Though tears still dripped from his eyes, he looked shocked by my display of affection. Indeed it was the first time I’d ever so much as touched him since I’d known him. Then, drawing out the dagger from my belt, I ripped a piece of fabric from the end of my nightdress. I dipped it into the fresh water barrel stored nearby, and wiped the blood away from Kiev’s injured face. At least now that Matteo had stopped cutting him, his shallower wounds were beginning to heal.
The hawk sitting in the corner of the boat shuffled his wings. He eyed the two vampires with contempt.
“What’s going on?” he asked, glaring at Matteo. “I’m tired of waiting.”
He spread his wings and walked toward us, his eyes set on Kiev. I stood up and brandished my dagger, forcing him to take a step back.
“I… I’ve changed my mind, Perseus,” Matteo said, gathering himself to his feet. “You’re no longer needed.”
The hawk let out a furious shriek and flew at Matteo. I didn’t understand how he found the strength, but Kiev shot up and tore a gash through Perseus’ wing with his claws before the bird could reach Matteo. The hawk screamed with pain, then set his eyes again on Kiev, attempting to grip him within his talons.
“We have to finish him!” Matteo panted. “If we let him escape, he’ll return to Aviary and inform all the others of your whereabouts. Then none of us will be safe.”
The hawk shook himself free from both vampires. Then he turned his angry eyes on me.
In one swift motion, I found myself being lifted into the air, sharp talons digging into my arms. I was too alarmed to even scream. The one thought that circled my mind as Perseus began his ascent was that if he planned to take me back to Aviary, perhaps it was for the best.
Chapter 43: Kiev
The sight of the hawk carrying away Mona set my body on fire. Adrenaline coursed through me as I yanked out Matteo’s dagger from my leg. With all the strength my wrecked body could muster, I leapt upward. Perseus shrieked as my claws dug into him for grip.
Gripping the dagger, I sliced through the talon nearest me. The hawk’s shrieks grew so loud it felt like my ear drums were about to explode. Weakened, he released his hold on Mona. She fell down and hit the water with a splash. I trusted she’d make it to the boat where Matteo would assist her.
Then I attempted to cut the remaining talon. As I reached across, the hawk’s sharp beak shot down and cut through my hand, making me lose hold of the dagger. As I clung to the irate hawk with one hand, my claws felt dangerously close to losing their grip.
I can’t let him get away.
I knew the consequences that his escape would bring about. I couldn’t bring that kind of misfortune upon Matteo’s island. Death would be less painful than bearing that guilt.
I dug my free hand into the swaying body of the hawk and achieved a better grip. Slowly and steadily, attempting to avoid the hawk’s beak, which kept stabbing down, trying to main me, I worked my way round his body until I reached his back where I positioned myself between his two giant wings. He continued to writhe in the air. Though severely injured, Perseus was still a fiercely strong creature—especially now that he was angered. He was vengeful as a raging bull.
I lifted myself up directly behind his neck. Grabbing hold of one of his wings, I poised myself to slice right through it. But he lunged down, making me lose my grip. I slid off his back, and were it not for my lightning-fast reflexes grabbing hold of his remaining talon at the last minute, he would have escaped.
Again, I attempted to climb up, one hand after the other.
“Don’t even think about it.” His beak pierced down, this time catching my arm and digging into my flesh. Groaning, I once again found myself hanging from one arm. I was keenly aware of our rapid ascent. The hawk climbed higher by the second, his wings working furiously. We were now so high I could barely see the sea through the clouds any more.
If I didn’t end this battle soon and I let him reach land, even if I killed him, I would lose my own life. There were only so many feet a vampire could fall without being fatally wounded.
And dawn was close. Too close. As soon as the sun rose, I would have lost the battle.
I have to kill him now, or die trying.
Chapter 44: Mona
Although no part of me doubted his prowess, my mind was alight with panic that Kiev still hadn’t returned. To make matters worse, I could no longer see either of them in the sky, and all sounds of their struggle had vanished.
The sea chilled me to the bone. I knew these waters were dangerous just from the temperature. Deep waters in these parts were never safe. There were all sorts of sea predators. I ducked my head under the water and called for the dolphin, relieved when he came to me.
“Mona! Get back in the boat,” Matteo called. “It’s not safe, even with the dolphin. You can wait for Kiev here with me.”
I ignored Matteo and continued to zigzag in the waves, my head tilted upward as I scanned the skies. The clouds broke every so often to reveal the full moon, but otherwise it was a black night.
“Kiev!” I found myself yelling up at the heavens.
Matteo approached me in the boat and extended a hand down to me. Although I was now shivering, I shook my head. Leaving the water felt like one step toward defeat. Leaving the water felt like letting go.