Chapter 17
This was too much for Darian. He didn't allow himself to be mocked, especially not by a human being. He was a lot better than her, he was sure of that. He charged at her, eyes narrowed in hate and dagger raised high. Kyla stepped sideways, unsheathing her sword fully and hearing the cold metal hit stone.
"Crap! More light would be appropriate!”, she cursed to herself and was just able to dodge his next attack. "Hey! flame? Where the fuck are you?!” she shouted at the little flame, which was still floating where it was before.
"A little help would be nice, damn it! I'm not an owl!” Kyla barely managed to parry his punch. Still, she had to back down.
Darian kept attacking. He wanted her dead, wanted to tear her flesh to pieces and her blood... Oh, how he looked forward to her blood.
Kyla combined parrying and dodging to avoid getting caught by his dagger. Suddenly she bumped her back against wood and saw Darian walking towards her. Kyla realized she wouldn't stand a chance against him in this darkness. She could only see him in shadow as he seemed to see her every move.
Her hand groped for a knob. This whole wall is stone, if there's wood here then it must be a goddamn door, she told herself. And then she felt it. That icy metal in her hands.
Just as Darian was about to stab, Kyla crouched down and opened the door behind her at the same moment. Blinded by the light hitting him and his speed, he tripped over the crouching Kyla and flew into the room. Kyla turned when she heard his swearing. Her attention was on him alone. All the objects and chains she didn't notice. The grip on her sword tightened. Here she had light, here she could defend herself.
Kyla took up her defensive position and as Darian stood up again, he threw his dagger aside. That landed with the point in a wooden pillar. Darian grabbed his belt and drew his sword as well. As the light refracted off his blade, Kyla saw the full set of teeth on his blade, resembling a saw.
"Shit…" she cursed. Darian approached her again and a loud clang went through the room as their blades met. The metal criss-crossed again and again, and Kyla was painfully aware that she wouldn't stand a chance. Her body had no more strength. The day had just been too exhausting. First the training with Dantalion and now Darian.
Kyla blinked as her vision blurred. As soon as her eyes cleared, she saw Darian using the weakness in her defense. The blade didn't miss an inch past her arm. And suddenly Kyla felt a thud against her chest. Gasping for air, she staggered back a few steps and bumped into a table. Darian didn't let go, he immediately attacked again and knocked the gun out of Kyla's hand with a powerful punch. Kyla felt the pain coursing through her wrist all too clearly.
She leaned back as his sword passed just inches above her. Searching for a new weapon, her hands groped across the table and for the first time she took in the space around her. A torture chamber, Kyla thought, and a shiver of disgust ran through her at the same time.
Darian stood in front of her, his lips twisted into a murderous grin. His tongue slid over his lips in joyful anticipation and when her gaze met his eyes, a bolt of lightning flashed through her. Her head suddenly seemed to explode. She knew the guy looked familiar. And now she knew from where. Before she could stop her thought, her legs gave way.
Kyla tried to mobilize the last of her strength and leaned her arms on the table. If she lost consciousness now, it would end like so many lives before. He would kill her with the same joy, with the same lust.
Darian let out a mad-sounding giggle and stepped closer to her. His hand dug into her hair and he cocked her head far back. Kyla felt the pain and screamed.
Darian's eyes were on her throat. The tender flesh that would be covered in her own blood in seconds. Darian raised his sword and slowly put it to her throat. He wanted to savor the moment.
Kyla opened her eyes, but all she saw was his blurred face.
Darian leaned towards her ear and whispered, "How nice of you to look me in the eye again..."