I’ve taken down three of the Trenchmite with bullets to their heads. I reload my gun as one of them scrambles toward me, then raise it, shooting it in the head. They could probably die with regular bullets but I’m not taking any chances. The last two spring in the air, and I point my gun up to them, sending a bullet flying through the hearts of both.
They drop to the ground, squealing and turning to ash.
When all their bodies have disintegrated, scattering with the wind, I face Blackwater Manor.
“Where are you, Decius?” I shout. “You had your fun! Now face me!”
The wind howls, whipping at my coat. Thunder rumbles and the sky opens up, bringing the rain down harder. The door of the castle creaks open, and a black silhouette slips out the door. It dashes across the damp field, slinking low in the grass, and I raise my gun just as it appears several steps away from me. Crescent red eyes flash in my direction, a wicked smile clinging to his lips. I pull the trigger of my gun, and Decius disappears.
Something sharp stabs me in the back, and I expel a sharp breath. A chill descends over my shoulder as Decius says, “Look at that. It only took you forty-two minutes to get to me.”
He snatches the knife out of my back then shoves me onto the ground. I land on my stomach with a hard grunt, turning onto my back and raising my gun at him.
With a sneer, he lifts the bloody dagger in his hand—the same one he used to kill Della—and wipes my blood on the sleeve of his jacket.
“Just take me,” I mutter, breathing raggedly. “Let my family go.”
“Are you still on about that silly bargain we made? That option is long gone, Caspian. You betrayed me by going behind my back to the Regals. Where are they now, anyway?” he asks, peering around. “Not here to save you, I gather. You were a fool to rely on them.”
“I don’t need them to save me,” I grumble.
“You poor boy. Everyone requires saving, especially when I’m involved. You truly believed you could face me all on your own?” His mouth curls into a wicked smile.
“Of course not,” I pant, my eyes shifting over his shoulder. “I have her.”
Just as the words leave my mouth, Willow nears us on the back of Onyx. Decius turns but isn’t quick enough to move as she dashes by, plunging a Trench sword into the center of his chest. The sword penetrates his body, and he cries out a piercing noise that drowns out all others.
I push off the ground, dusting myself off. There is no pain. I was never hurt and only pretended to be when he stabbed me. How could I be when Hassha sent me off with her energy?
This was our plan before landing in Blackwater. I was to deal with whatever trap Decius laid while Willow ran to the stables for my horse. I had a feeling Decius would know Hassha put some kind of protection over me, but with it being such a rush to get to him, I figured he’d assume I was vulnerable. It was a major risk, seeing as Decius reads energy, but Hassha is smart. She protected me without leaving a trace for Decius to find. And with his focus solely on me, his blood broiling with hunger, I was willing to take whatever risk was necessary to weaken him.
“Now that,” Decius laughs dryly, blood smearing his teeth. “That was low. But you missed my heart.” Hopping up, he snatches the sword out of his chest. He doesn’t do so without pain, but even so, he manages to point a hand toward Willow, shooting an invisible force her way and knocking her off the horse. Onyx squeals as she hits the ground.
“Willow!” I scream as Decius tosses the sword aside with a stagger. A blur of black and white sprints toward him, and he lets out a howl as Cerberus and Silvera sink their teeth into his arm and ankle. He flings them about, but their jaws are locked.
I rush to Willow as the wolves’ growls sharpen. “Willow, are you okay?” I ask, bringing her to a stand.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” She grunts a bit as I wipe dirt from her forehead. Her eyes expand as she peers over my shoulder. I look with her, and Decius has managed to fling Cerberus and Silvera off him to run. “He’s getting away!” she yells.
“No, he’s not.” I pull out my gun, watching as he ambles toward the opposite side of the field while clinging to his chest. “Stay here. I’m going after him.”
“Wait—Caz.” She grips the lapels of my jacket, tugging me in and kissing me hard on the lips. “I love you,” she breathes. “Now go kill him.”
I smile, kissing her one more time before hopping onto Onyx’s back and riding after Decius. It’s no surprise he’s running toward the Dark Cliffs. It’s a place that brews with dark energy—a land no man ever ventures to—and he’ll likely try to use it to his advantage. But I’m still protected by Regal energy for now, and no matter what tricks he tries throwing my way, they won’t stop me from ending him once and for all.
