This bastard was psychotic.
My voice was rough, and I knew my next words would only make his attacks on me worse, but I refused to allow him to believe anything other than the absolute truth.
I would live my truth until the bitter end.
“When I left here, I promised myself that no one would ever control my life again,” I said roughly. “I gave myself to them freely, as I already said. No one took shit from me.”
For just a moment, he was silent before he removed his grip on me and I took the precious moment for the silver lining it was, sucking oxygen in desperately. His voice was filled with revulsion as he stood above me, staring down with visceral disgust. “Them?! There are multiple men? Fucking whore!”
“Three to be specific,” I spat out. I struggled to sit up as his narrowed eyes ran the length of my body.
His mouth popped open as his eyes widened, as if he’d suddenly found clarity on something.
“You poor child, I understand now. You must be confused,” he muttered, nodding to himself as if that made a lick of sense. “They made you believe that, made you believe that it was okay to give away what was already mine.”
What the…
I couldn’t prevent the confusion from showing on my face as my brow furrowed and my lips thinned.
“I will forgive you, Kyella. You didn’t know that you were promised to someone else. The blame can’t possibly fall on you.”
In a split-second decision, hoping to take him off guard, I hurled myself toward him, only to be thrown across the room. I slumped as I hit the wall, everything around me turning hazy as I heard his shoes moving across the floor in my direction.
I groaned as he lifted me up by the throat once more, dangling me in the air as he offered me a gleaming smile. “Now, now, let's stop this fighting, shall we? There is no way you will ever land a hit on me, let alone kill me. Your struggles are futile and are only leading to more pain for you, dear.”
Defeat threatened to overtake me. How was I supposed to beat a man who seemed to be able to predict my every move?
Empress! Hold on, I am coming to your aid!
Barnabus’ words crashed through my head, and I could feel my eyes widen at his voice.
Being an old god, I assumed Barnabus was strong beyond measure, but I had the sudden and desperate urge to scream that he needed to stay away.
The doors were thrown open, and though I tried to turn my head to look toward the entrance, I was unable to with Lazarus’ tight grip on my neck. The anger on Lazarus’ face disappeared, replaced by a look of unadulterated shock. As if in afterthought, the old god tossed me to the side. At least this time I managed to roll over my shoulder and come to rest in a crouching position. Trying to see who had opened the doors, I growled as I realized he was keeping me behind him, blocking my view entirely.
It wasn’t lost on me that he had to regard me as nothing more than a nuisance to keep me at his back like this. He truly didn’t consider me a threat.
Malakai had made the same mistake. Though I would readily admit that Lazarus was a far more dangerous opponent.
“Well, this is a surprise.” Lazarus chuckled, sounding amused as I heard the doors slam shut once more, blocking out any noise from the outside. My mind wanted to wonder if the noises were of my men fighting and whether they were okay, but I couldn’t let myself become distracted
Kyella, are you okay?
Surprise consumed me as my head swiveled, glancing toward the ceiling to see if I could spot my friend and confidant, but I couldn’t spot him. With a barely suppressed groan of pain, I shuffled to the side to get a view of the door where I spotted an unfamiliar man standing. Was that Barnabus? He was staring right at me, his question lingering in the air as if he had spoken it aloud.
“Barnabus?” I clarified; my voice choked on a whisper.
It had to be him, right? While this wasn’t the version of the old god I’d come to know, the appearance matched what I imagined my friend might look like in human form. He was elegant, tall, and refined, wearing an oddly formal, dark-colored outfit. Considering his personality and the distinguished air he held about him, it all somehow fit him perfectly.
His hair was very light, not quite cream but close enough to match the fur that I was used to seeing. It was styled away from his face, highlighting dark eyes, a heavy brow, and square jaw. He was handsome in a classical sort of way, looking every bit a caricature of old that was depicted in some of the more ancient art displayed around the palace at home in the Tridian Empire. His dark eyes held my gaze, concern coating his features.
Barnabus nodded sharply. “I have come to help you, Empress.”
“Empress?” Lazarus offered me an arched brow, his disposition easy and relaxed, though I thought I could catch a hint of intrigue in the way he held himself. “Impressive, little dhampyr Perhaps you can still be of use to me. I can potentially forgive your transgressions.”
This man clearly couldn’t make up his mind, unsure of whether he either wanted to keep me or kill me. Either way, it didn’t matter because I was determined to end him.
A snarl broke from my lips. My voice was raspy as I spat, “Fuck you, Lazarus.”
