AllFreeNovel
Share Us
At least I’m not crying anymore. I think my body has gone into a state of shock because I feel a bit numb.
A flash of remorse falls over Kai’s face. Determination replaces it, then he advances on Zarid to end this faster for my sake. His motions become bigger as he forces Zarid back.
Clang, clang, clang.
Squelch.
Kai makes a deep slash above Zarid’s right pectoral.
The fight reaches its tipping point when Kai knocks Zarid’s sword to the floor. Clattering loudly as it hits the marble, the weapon slides across the room and knocks into the standing wardrobe.
In a last-ditch effort, Zarid runs to the corner and grabs a spear from a tall barrel containing various fighting tools. Unfortunately for him, his aim is off when he throws it. It goes wide, missing Kai by a foot. The point of it becomes embedded in a clothing trunk at the end of the bed.
Next, Zarid hurls a hatchet.
Again, a miss.
Charging at Zarid, Kai pins the king against the wall with the tip of his sword poised at his sternum. The blade is in the perfect position to impale Zarid’s shriveled heart.
To most spectators, they’d assume Kai has the win, but I know better.
Lifting his arms, Zarid acts like he’s surrendering, but the devious smirk on his face says otherwise. “Now, now. This doesn’t have to end so violently. I’m sure we can work something out.”
“Watch his hands!” I shout.
The warning is barely out of my mouth when two fiery orbs shoot from Zarid’s palms.
Jumping to the side, Kai avoids getting burnt to smithereens, and he glares at Zarid. “We said no powers.”
“Did we?” Zarid croons facetiously, moving away from his trapped position as he circles Kai. “I suppose I lied.”
“Then you should be weakened from the consequences of your deceit.”
Zarid cackles like the evil villain he is. “Dishonesty isn’t going to disarm me. I could be reduced to one tenth of my power, and I’d still have enough left to obliterate you.”
It’s true. Zarid’s Pyro abilities are so abundant, losing a bit of it temporarily isn’t going to make much difference. He doesn’t even need to use his hands. He can create the fire with his mind, but it’s more theatrical when he directs it with motions.
Zarid’s finger is basically a blowtorch on steroids.
Standing in place, he simply points at where he wants the fire to go, and Kai hops this way and that to avoid getting burned.
Now Zarid is the one having fun with his opponent.
Kai is like a puppet without strings. Fireballs come at his feet, forcing him around the room. Every time the fire hits the floor or the walls, it leaves a dark charred mark. The air smells of smoke, burning my nose and making my eyes water.
Kai grunts as he dodges a flame that almost hits him in the face. “So you’re forfeiting our match? You couldn’t beat me after all. Admit it.”
“I’m not admitting anything.”
“Oh, come on, mighty king. Be a good sport. Don’t get butthurt.”
Confused, Zarid’s face screws up. “You didn’t hurt my butt.”
Kai actually grins, showing some teeth. A strip of white appears in the sea of his blood-covered skin as his lips lift on the right side of his face. It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile. Really smile. I wasn’t even sure if he was capable of it, and as shitty as the circumstances are, I love seeing it. I’ll take his smiles anytime.
“It’s a human term,” Kai explains. “Perhaps you’d know it if you listened to your female prisoners once in a while. Though, I suppose they’re probably too busy saying things like, ‘Stop. That doesn’t feel good. You’re a terrible lover.’”
The low blow is witty and ridiculously accurate. I’d laugh if I didn’t think it would make things so much worse for Kai.
