I whip my head toward her. She slashes a knight across the chest, and he drops to the floor. “Go with Devlan. We’ve got this. Stop the Taken.”
My chest rises as I take in a steadying breath. I nod, then shuffle over to the slain knight. I tear off a piece of his uniform and use it to pick up his hand. As I limp down the corridor, I’m not sure if she really feels Devlan needs my help, or if she wants me out of the way. I’m having a difficult time walking, never mind fighting.
I decide I don’t care. Devlan is up there with his sworn enemy. So far, Sebastian has proven to be just as sadistic, if not more so, than the man who raised him. I don’t know what other sick tricks might await us if we don’t end him soon.
Holding my sword ready, I head down the corridor toward the secret lift. The severed hand drips red along the hallway as I go.
FORTY-ONE
When the metal doors of the lift open, I hesitate a moment before stepping into the transparent room. Devlan didn’t need a way to gain access to the chamber. Sebastian wanted him here.
“Zara—” Devlan shouts.
I exit the lift and rush into the room. Devlan is blocking blows from two knights at once. I start toward his side, but he jerks his head toward the end of the glass chamber. “Sebastian is down there.” He lunges at a knight in crimson, knocking the knight’s sword to the side. “He’s controlling the Taken from Excalibur.” He grunts. “I can’t get in.”
I understand what I must do, but it’s difficult to leave him here to fight. They’re not just members of the Force. These knights were King Hart’s personal guards. They are ruthless.
Devlan swipes at the guard advancing on me, drawing his attention. I slink past, then stagger down through the glass maze. Sebastian has locked himself in the control room, overseeing the fight with the Rebels personally. His actions prove this has gone beyond revenge for him.
I limp toward the end of the chamber, trying to block out the sounds of distress coming from Devlan. As I reach the control room, I pray the knight’s hand will give me access, and that I will not waver, even for a second.
I extend my arm—and the door slides open before I press the hand to the interface.
Sebastian’s golden eyes meet mine. His lips curl into a cruel smile.
I drop the hand to the floor and raise my sword. “Command the Taken to stand down.” I hold his disarming glare. “Now.”
My eyes sweep over him. Tucked into his black belt is my father’s dagger. My chest blooms with renewed anger. Sebastian pulls his hand from behind his back and strikes my sword with his arming sword.
I wobble, then shift my weight onto my good leg, gaining balance against his attack. He blocks my strike easily. “I had no idea you knew the art of swordplay,” he says. “To think we had so much in common, Zara.” He strikes my sword again, pushing me backward into a retreat. “We could have been dueling instead of taking boring walks.”
Grunting, I come at him and slash. He keeps one hand behind his back as he blocks each of my attacks, mocking me. His form says I’m no threat to him. And I’m not sure I am.
His blade slides against mine. “I think I’ll enjoy this even more than facing off with Devlan. Though I wish we had more privacy.” He cuts his eyes toward the front of the chamber. “We do have unfinished business.”
“You’re sick. I’ll never be with you.” I block his blow as it comes at my chest.
He mock-sighs. “That’s the thing, my love.” His sword grazes my injured leg, and I stumble back. “You’re not going to have a choice.” He leers, raising his sword as I hold a defensive stance. “My father perfected the Virus serum before his death. There’s no waiting for it to mutate. I can have complete control over anyone at any time.”
I shake my head, clearing my vision of loose strands of hair, then step into his attack, sending him backpedalling. “Have you always been this mad?” I shift my weight, relieving the pressure on my leg, and knock his sword down. I lunge, delivering a fierce strike to his arm. “Or did my rejection send you over the edge?”
His eyes blaze a fierce, liquid gold. He lowers his sword and glares. “I admit that I’ve desired you for a long time, and that your games made claiming you all the more amusing.” He grins. “But after I went to the trouble of having your father removed, I wasn’t going to allow Devlan to have you.”
All weapons are forgotten. I drop my guard. My mouth falls open. “You sent my father Outside.”
He inspects his hurt arm quickly, then steps forward. I retreat. “Not intentionally. I thought the king would dispose of him in the Oubliette. When your father became ill with the Virus, I honestly thought it was a stroke of luck, or perfect timing. Though I understand now what happened. And so do you. As I said, my father perfected the Virus. It’s going to advance things Outside much quicker.”
I swallow down the aching lump in my throat. “You bastard.”
His brow shoots up. “Well, nevertheless. I was pleased when you became my betrothed. Though you did shock me with your admission of joining the Rebels.” He laughs, a forced, hollow sound. “I was notably thrown. I felt some time in the Oubliette would cure you, and that you’d come to your senses and see that what I was trying to accomplish here—with us—was something great.” He spreads his arms wide. “Now, I’d prefer you to agree willingly. I really don’t want to use the new strain of Virus on you.”
“Never, Sebastian.” I force myself to stand straight against the pain of my injuries. “We didn’t come this far only to allow you to replace your father. I’ll never let you leave here.”
“My father.” He bows his head a moment before looking into my eyes. “I was stricken at first. But really, I should thank you. He was never going to allow me to assume full control over the realm. He held me back, dissuading me from many things. Now, there’s nothing standing in my way.” His eyes stare through me.
I don’t know why his admission shocks me. It shouldn’t, as I can plainly see what he’s become. But the thought that I helped put him in position to rule over Karm hits my gut like a punch.
He cocks his head. “What’s the matter, princess?” He circles me, and I keep my sword ready. “Don’t you still believe in me?”
“I truly did…once.” I hold his eyes for a second before looking past him, seeing the battle between the Taken and the Rebels clearly through the glass walls. Somehow, the Rebels are holding them off. If they’re keeping strong, then I have to forge ahead. “But you will not take me, Sebastian.” I roll to the balls of my feet, readying for an attack. “I’d rather rot in the Oubliette or die right here and now than become enslaved to you.”
His eyes pierce mine. “Still so fucking stubborn.” He strikes my sword hard, and I’m shoved backward. As he pivots to one side, I brace myself for another attack, but he pulls his sword and kicks my injured leg instead.
Pain spears me, and I’m thrown off-guard as he moves in. He drops his sword and grabs my arms.
I struggle against his hold, but he slams my back into the wall. A breath whooshes from my lungs, and my sword hits the floor. He kicks it to the other side of the room. I bring my knee up, but his leg blocks me.
“No,” he growls. “I refuse to let you off easy by using the Virus.” His eyes flick over me. “I’ll just have to break you.”
He backhands me and my head snaps to the side. Blinding pain splinters through my skull. My sight flashes and dims. I turn my head, ready to fight him off, but he crushes his fist to my cheek. I fall to the floor, my vision swimming.
My ears ring, but I can hear footsteps enter the room.
My eyes lock onto Devlan. Fury burns in his gaze as he steps up to Sebastian, sword raised. “I’m going to remove your limbs, then slice you piece by piece, until your bleeding heart is severed from your body.” He spits. Blood trails his lips.