He flips onto the floor, clutching his abdomen, as blood leaks through his fingers. His blood. Zahra crawls toward him—unscathed. "You saved me," she whispers, tears falling from her eyes. She moves her shaky hands on top of his and presses down in a feeble attempt to help stop the bleeding.
"You brought my brother back to life. It's the least I could do." Aidan smiles before wheezing and groaning in pain.Aidan’s eyes start to shut, a telltale sign that the end is near. I nearly vomit at the thought.
I fall to my knees next to Aidan, but my body feels like it's frozen in time. "WE NEED A MEDIC STAT," I scream so loud my throat aches in pain. I feel like I’m watching in slow motion as our entire medical team rolls in, gently shoving myself and Zahra away so they can get to work.
"We need to get him to a hospital," one of the nurses shouts, as they lift him onto a makeshift gurney.
I search the room for Cyrus, but he's already been knocked unconscious and chained up by Azula.
"You should also get her fully checked out," another nurse states, pointing to Zahra. "Why don't you ride with us to the hospital?"
I nod, lifting her into my arms and relishing in the way she immediately curls into me. "Declan?"
"Yes, angel?"
"I love you. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to say that to you ever, so I need to say it now."
My throat constricts. I had dreamed of hearing those words from her so many times. None of those dreams compared to this moment now. "I love you too, Zahra. You and me, we were always inevitable."
She hums in agreement, holding me closer as we step outside into the sunlight, leaving behind the cold, damp darkness of the ship.
49
ZAHRA
One week later.
“I’m not sure what I love more—seeing you covered in weapons from head to toe, or seeing you completely naked underneath me,” Declan groans, helping me adjust my utility vest so all my various knives are on display.
“You’re insatiable.” I roll my eyes, pulling him closer by wrapping my fingers in the belt loops of his pants.
“For you? Always.” He presses a soft kiss to my forehead. “You sure you want to do this?”
“I need to. Cyrus killed my father, and yours. He tried to shatter my legacy. Our future. And so he will die by my hands.” I lift my chin, determined. Torture was more of Azula’s forte but killing Cyrus was my destiny. I did make sure to get a few pointers from her.
“Okay, let’s go.” Declan moves so he’s beside me and entwines our fingers together. Azula and Connor are waiting for us outside of my father’s office, the place where he and Cillian were murdered, as we descend to the holding cells.
The temperature drops the moment we reach thebasement, and none of us makes a sound. The sound of water dripping in one of the cells fills the hallway. Except I’m certain it’s not water. From the coppery scent that fills the air, I know it’s blood. My throat constricts with every step we take down the hallway filled with the scent of death. I can feel Azula practically hum with content. This was her safe space, and knowing she was by my side grounded me.
We stop in front of a padlocked door, which looks eerily similar to the one inside my own holding cell on Cyrus’ ship. I raise an eyebrow at Declan, who smirks. “I have a flair for the dramatics, what can I say?”
I place my hand on the sensor on the wall, waiting as it scans my palm and unlocks the door. Declan gives my hip one final squeeze before I shove the metal door with all my strength, causing it to slam against the walls of the holding cell.
Cyrus doesn’t even have the decency to lift his head as I enter. His two arms are extended and chained to the walls; feet also chained to the ground beneath him. From his lethargic appearance and the rotten tray of food in the corner, I can tell he hasn’t eaten anything. Not that I cared. This would all be over for him soon. After I’ve had my fun. “Put a chain around his neck. I want him to be forced to look at me.”
Azula immediately enters the cell, chain in hand, expertly wrapping it per my instructions.
Cyrus’ shuts his eyes in petulant defiance, trying to gain control of the situation like always.
“Don’t make me tape your eyes open, Cyrus, I swear I’ll do it,” I hiss, pulling out a knife and toying with it in my hand, “Or better yet, I’ll slide off your eyelids. Wouldn’t that be nice?” I guide the sharp edge of the knife over his eyebrows.
Cyrus growls and finally looks me in the eyes, “Well, well. Look who finally decided toact like a boss.”
I don’t even flinch at the putrid smell coming from his mouth, “I always had this in me. You were the one who doubted me. Who thought he could do better. Now look at you.” I laugh, relishing the way his eyes fill with rage.
“Naïve little girl,” he spits, trying and failing to move his chains so he can get closer to me. “You may kill me today, but my legacy lives on. Or need I remind you, I was able to create a whole army of your own men and allies against you? You may live today, but I promise your time will come soon. My men will make sure of it.”
I feel Declan stiffen behind me at the threat. I hold out a hand, telling him to stay back, as I move my knife under Cyrus’s chin. His may speak with confidence, but his eyes told a different story. “You can threaten me all you want, Cyrus, but I can see the fear in your eyes.”
