Nix was surprised enough to let me go. I lunged forward and spun around, sword in hand.
He stared at me, his black eyes glittering in the early morning sunlight, trident in hand. We’d traveled halfway across the world, crossed time-zones and continents and oceans in a moment. My head spun with the adjustment, but thankfully my legs stood strong.
After a long minute of weighted silence, he finally spoke, “I applaud you, Ivy. I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“What? Transporting? Easy.” It was not actually easy and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get back. I might have to book a flight to Olympus.
I’d landed on the beach in front of my little bungalow. My house looked like it hadn’t been touched since I left it and there was nobody on the beach now.
It was just Nix and me. We were completely alone.
Which was probably a good thing since I planned on taking off his head.
“Standing up to me,” he countered. “I didn’t think you could actually do it.”
“I’ve stood up to you my entire life.”
His lips twisted with a cruel sneer. “Have you?” His blasé tone cut deeper than it should.
My arms started to ache from holding the sword. It was heavier than it looked and I had no idea how to use it. I tried to hide my anxiety behind a mask of anger, but he looked at me as if he could see right through me.
“I’m going to kill you.”
His gaze dropped to the sword for a second before coming back to my face. “Are you really?”
“You’re on my island. I’m in control now.”
His low chuckle mingled with the doubt already festering in my head. “You don’t know how to be in control,” he taunted. “You’ve never known. You’ve always needed me to guide you, to take care of you. You could take me to any island in the world and that wouldn’t change. You’re nothing without me, Ivy. You’ll never be anything without me. Just give up and let’s go home.”
“I am home.”
Impatience flickered over his perfectly structured face. “Your home is withme. I’m tired of this game, child. Give me the weapon and let’s go.”
“You don’t understand, Nix. This is over. I will not tolerate this for a second longer.”
His mouth split open in a surprised smile. “Really? And what are you going to do about it?”
“I already told you. I’m going to kill you.”
Enough talking.
I lunged forward, swinging the sword wildly. My first attempt was crazed and off balance. He swung out his arm and hit my forearm, sending me flailing through the air.
“I hope for your sake, that wasn’t the best you got,” he laughed.
I shifted and swung again. He ducked out of the way and pushed my back. I stumbled and fell to my knees in the sand.
I jumped up before he could reach me, but he used his power to knock me backwards through the air. I landed on my back, losing my breath as the sword slid from my hand.
I released the power through my blood and let it energize me. I still felt my bumps and bruises, but I was stronger now.
I reached for the god-killer, but it wasn’t there. I jumped to my feet, searching for it.
Nix stood five feet away with it dangling in his hands. The early morning sunlight glinted off the silver blade, making it shine with a supernatural gleam.
“Give it to me,” I ordered him in a singsong voice, hoping my power would compel him to listen. I didn’t want to give into it completely, but I needed to encourage him to listen.
“You’re going to have to try harder than that, Ivy.” He walked closer to me. When he lifted the sword over his head, I thought for a second my suggestion had worked, but he turned toward the ocean and chucked the sword as hard as he could. With his superhuman strength, the sword sailed through the air and dropped far into the ocean. My heart sunk with it and all chances for winning this confrontation. “Do you see what I mean? You’ve tried to get away from me all of your life, but nothing you can do will ever be enough. I will follow you wherever you go. I will make sure you are never far from me. You will never escape. You will never be free of me. I will be with you until your very last breath. Until I’ve decided to let you leave this world and not a moment before.”
