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His attack ends with a punch meant for my mouth; I evade and drive a fist into his side. Anton grimaces. He tries to step back and reset, but it’s my turn for a barrage. My hands move so fast, he can’t keep up. His dodges don’t take him far enough to avoid getting hit. Each swing lands harder, until I’m bashing his face.
No one says a word; all we hear are the waves washing along the shore and the slaps of my fists pummeling Anton. When I’m done, he lands on his ass, gasping for breath as blood drips from his broken nose.
He turns to the Masters, who aren’t hiding their glee.
“Help me, you cowards,” he says.
“What exactly do you expect us to do?” says Jamison, gesturing at my soldiers.
“Get up and fight!” Anton shouts. “All of you!”
“They’ll kill us, you fucking idiot,” says Franco Silvestri.
“Kingfisher,” Anton spits.
Silvestri’s neck pulses, and he collapses. When his lips open, blood pours out.
“I’ll kill you!” says Anton. “Fight! Now!”
They obey, rising to their feet.
“Detain the Masters!” I shout at my soldiers. “Kill anyone else who resists!”
The Masters, clearly believing Anton’s threat, try to attack, but some can’t even get to their feet with ease, let alone attack a trained fighter half their age. My soldiers subdue them with fists, their rifle stocks and tripping moves.
The guards attempt to charge my men; gunshots ring out, putting them down, but some manage to tackle the soldiers, forcing a fight. I turn to Kate, who rushes for Colette and the courtesans, shielding them, rifle pointed and ready.
Anton takes advantage of my distraction to sucker punch me, staggering me back. Growling, I fend off his next swing and backhand him in the cheek, knocking him to the ground again.
“Enough!” shouts Jamison, cutting through the noise. “This is pointless! Anton, tell them to stop!”
“Do it,” I add, twisting Anton’s arm.
“Fine!” he shouts. “Stop, just stop!”
“This has to end,” Jamison says, standing up and projecting his voice. “Anton, step down from leading the Masters. Ingram, offer Anton clemency. We don’t have to murder each other. There’s nothing to be gained. We have to find a way to coexist before everything we’ve worked to build is gone forever.”
“No!” shouts Kate. “What you’ve built is gone. You’re finished! All of you! No more imprisoning women like me! No more exploiting people and murdering to get your way. Your time is over!”
Anton laughs.
“I’m not stepping down,” he says. “I’d rather be dead.”
“You will be dead,” Kate snaps.
“Ingram, is this what you want?” Jamison asks. “After all these years, to just throw out everything we’ve built? Settle your differences with Anton. That’s our way.”
“Ingram!” Kate cries. “Don’t listen to him!”
“She’s right, Jamison,” I say. “Anton’s not going to be a member of this or any organization ever again. He’s going to confess his crimes to the world, and then he’s going to die. The rest of you are all going to confess, and then you’re all going to jail.”
A silence falls over the beach; Merwin Locke, Evo Griekin and several others stare at Franco’s cooling, paling body.
“You swore loyalty to us,” says Jamison. “You can’t do this.”
“He won’t have to,” Anton interrupts. “If I’m going to die, you’re all coming with me. Carolina Reaper.”
The Masters flinch, reaching for their necks, but nothing happens.
