“It’s her over-confidence that will defeat her,” Saintcrow replied, drawing Kadie into his arms.
Kadie nodded, clinging to the fact that although Rylan had lost a few battles, he had never lost a war.
The days slipped by one by one until, finally, Saintcrow couldn’t stand it anymore. “I’m going to try and contact Elowynne again and challenge her to meet me. It’s time to put an end to this game once and for all.”
Kadie came out of her chair as if she’d been shot from a cannon. Facing him, she cried, “Are you out of your mind?” As much as she hated the waiting, the uncertainty, the thought of Rylan facing off with the witch, scared her to death.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked quietly. “I can’t spend the rest of my life waiting for her to come to me. She knows damn well the wait is driving me crazy.” As was the worry that Elowynne might try to harm Kadie, which was why he kept her close to his side.
“Rylan...”
He drew her gently into his arms and held her while she wept softly. He had to destroy Elowynne, he thought, as he stroked Kadie’s back. Had to keep his woman safe, even if doing so cost him his own life.
When her tears subsided, he made slow, sweet love to her, telling her with every kiss and caress that he loved her, cherished her. But Kadie didn’t want tender, didn’t want coddling. She buried her fears in their lovemaking as he rose over her. She bucked beneath him, her nails raking his back as he took her, hard and fast.
He held her until she fell asleep in his arms.
It was an hour before dawn when he slipped out of bed. He spent a few moments just looking at Kadie, his gaze moving overface, the slim form he knew as well as his own as he remembered all the years they had spent together. He had loved her from the moment he first saw her, had known she would be his. Even though she denied it every time he asked, he couldn’t help wondering if, deep down, she was sorry she had married him. Sorry he had stolen her life.
Leaning down, he brushed a feather-light kiss across her sweet, pink lips, then spoke to her mind, assuring that she would sleep until he roused her or until noon if he didn’t return. One last kiss before he pulled on his jeans and boots and left the house.
Transporting himself to the stretch of ground under the bridge, he opened his preternatural senses.Elowynne! I’ve had enough of your foolish games. Let’s end it now. Unless you’re afraid to meet me face to face, vampire to vampire. If you refuse, I’ll tell the whole vampire community that you’re nothing but a craven coward, all noise and no.....
She materialized beside him before he finished his thought. She wore a short black skirt, a long-sleeved black sweater, and black heels. Her long, blonde hair flowed down her back and over her shoulders. Cold and beautiful, he thought. And totally evil.
“So,” she said, her gaze meeting his. “You wish to end it tonight?”
He nodded.
“You’re no match for me,” she said imperiously.
“You think not? Your magic has no effect on me anymore. I’m betting my life that my powers are as strong or stronger than yours.” He flashed a smug smile. “And, unlike you, I have something to live for.”
Her fury raked over him, opening long, bloody gashes along his arms.
He stood firm, refusing to flinch.
“You killed my sister,” she hissed. “And now you will die.”
She unleashed her power again. It slammed into him, driving the breath from his lungs, unleashing his anger in a burst of supernatural power. She reeled backward, a gasp of surprise issuing from her lips as what felt like lightning splintered inside her.
She flew at him, fangs bared, hands like claws, ripping into his shoulders, his arms, her nails raking his chest. They came together again and again, fangs rending flesh. Wounds bled and healed. After several intense moments, they parted.
Only then did Saintcrow notice Kincaid’s presence. “Go home, Jake,” he said.
“We vowed to do this together, remember?”
“If I fail, you can have her.”
“Dammit, Saintcrow....”
“She’s mine!” Saintcrow had no sooner spoken the words than Elowynne was on him, her fangs tearing into his flesh, her long nails raking his cheeks, scoring his naked chest and back, until he was covered in his own blood. Rage flared deep within him as he pictured Alara’s body as he had last seen it. With a vicious cry, he lunged at Elowynne, let out a gasp as he pretended to lose his balance. He landed on his back on the ground.
With a scream of victory, she threw herself at him, fangs driving toward his throat. She let out a startled gasp of pain and surprise when he plunged his fingers into her chest and ripped out her heart. Time seemed to stand still as she stared at him in utter disbelief before toppling sideways to the ground beside him.
In that instant, Kincaid rushed forward and cut off her head. “Together!” he shouted, holding the grisly trophy up by the hair.
“Together,” Saintcrow agreed, gaining his feet.