He screamed and thrashed. I backed away, defenseless. He tore my bloody knife from his wrist and flung it away from him. He transferred his sunstone blade to his good hand.
Gods damn it. I had nothing left. No more knives. I couldn’t?—
Something caught the corner of my eye. My knife in the other Wolf’s throat.
But my remaining enemy noticed it too. He charged. I dropped to my knees and spun under his slashes, ripping my knife out of the body. My stomach heaved, but I forced my fingers to grip the bloody knife tighter.
I brought the knife down to the Wolf’s chest, but he caught my arm, placed a boot on my chest, and crushed me against a wall.
I gasped, my ribs groaning, collapsing. The air shimmered around me.
Gods, I couldn’t breathe.
Use your knife.
I limply stabbed at his ankle until he jerked away, and I slid down the wall.
Get up. Get up! Do not die like this!
My mother’s body flashed through my mind. Stabbed. Lifeless. Unavenged.
Groaning, I shakily rose to my feet. The Wolf waited for me, blood leaking from his injuries.
Me or him.
Each breath rasped through my lungs.
“No,” I whispered. Then louder. “You—” I pointed the bloody knife at him. “—will be joining him.”
He didn’t make a sound. He simply stilled and slowly shook his head once.
We struck at the same time. I stabbed his shoulder. His knife sliced across my chest. Fiery pain drew a cry from my lips. I twisted backward, his next strike whistling past my cheek.
I slashed in a frenzy, barely scraping his arms and legs. But I couldn’t reach... he was too fast...
Gods, the pain.
There was no air. Anymore.
I clumsily ducked another swipe, but he swung backward, catching my temple with the hilt of his knife.
I collapsed.
Someone shouted. My name? It didn’t matter.
Darkness consumed my last sky. And that knife made of stars.
Chapter 17
Aiden
I heardthe whistled tune first.
I waved my arm at Maz and nodded toward the door of the warehouse.
He stilled and listened. “Gods damn it,” he breathed.
Kiera.
