Kiril grew impatient. He began moving through the crowd. He grabbed a man with a painted face and crushed his larynx, dropping him to the ground. His white, linen-wrapped face floated through the crowd, eyeing me, avoiding punches and returning the favor with superhuman strength. I could hear bones crushing in faces from fifteen yards away as I stabbed into one man's jugular with a kick, then spun back and swept a guard's feet, sending him to his back.
He rose to his knees and I grabbed him by the back of his hair.
"You want to eat this pussy?"
I shoved his face between my thighs, furiously slashing another man's chest, before stabbing my knife into his heart and ripping it back out.
"You don't eat pussy for shit." Fear clouded his eyes. He put his hands up to defend, but I twirled two knives in my fingers. One knife stabbed into his stomach and yanked upward, the other spilled his throat to the ground.
Kiril was now ten feet away. He bludgeoned one of the teens with a bat he had grabbed from someone in the melee.
I focused on him, trying to make my way when a familiar foot struck me in the face.
I tumbled across the ground, clutching my head as the rioters and guards stared in astonishment. I looked up to meet Suki's face. Glaring street lights sent needles into my temples. One of the rioters ran up and Suki caught him with a backhand, pulverizing his throat as he flipped, landing lifeless on his back at my feet.
"Why are you doing this?" I stared at Suki, praying she was in there somewhere.
Suki's eyes were pale white. She looked possessed by a demon. She strode toward me, death in her eyes, clenching her fists, breathing heavily. Everyone stilled. They all watched the girl stalking the Matriarch. I scooted across the ground on my ass and my back rammed into a tree.
Suki's leg shot to the sky and came straight down towards my face. I rolled out of the way moments before being struck. Suki's leg crashed into the tree, the large oak shook as leaves fell around me. I sprang to my feet, shuffling around, taking in my surroundings as Suki continued to walk toward me like a robot.
Guess this bitch wants to get to business.
I told myself it wasn't her. That wasn't the little girl I knew. I feinted left and whipped a knife out, flinging it at her.
Suki's head veered sideways. She caught the blade in mid-air. Blood from her hand trickled down to the handle. She tossed the knife aside, raising her hand to her face, and licked the blood from it. She stalked toward me, an unstoppable zombie. Kiril watched. I could feel his stare beneath the shrouds.
Suki's face grew intense as she neared. A shriek pierced the air and she went on the attack, a flurry of fists and kicks. I dodged them, countering with a blow blocked by Suki's forearm. Each blocked strike felt like my bones were shattering. Her power was supernatural, backing me to another tree. Suki's fists unleashed into a fury, pummeling my bruised arms until they dropped. She throttled my rib cage. I shook against the tree, held up only by the blows that kept coming.
When the barrage of flying arms finally ceased, I floated like a puppet held up by strings, like a boxer trying to make the ten count. Suki smiled, grabbing me by the throat, watching the life drain from my eyes. I gasped for air that didn't come. My field of vision darkened. The last thing I saw was the top of Suki's head as it slammed into my face.
I returned to consciousness, my heart beating against my skull, a bright light in my face. It felt like a knife was plunging into my scalp as I looked around, processing my surroundings. Most of the rioters were gone and I wasn't sure why. Why hadn't they just overtaken them? Perhaps they weren't really as interested in the Ka0s message as everyone believed. Maybe they just wanted to rob people of their hard-earned money.
I looked up and my questions were answered. Behind Kiril stood twenty young girls, Suki in the front. They all held the same evil stare. They had the pale look in their eyes.
"They're insurance. In case you have other plans."
I looked past him, refusing to acknowledge his presence.
"What? You have nothing to say?"
He bent down to me, pretending he might lift my mask and reveal my identity.
"Oh, I'll show you to the world soon enough. Don't worry."
"Let the old man go."
"I don't think so."
"You got what you wanted."
He stalked back and cocked his head sideways. Wielding his knife, he teased the blade along my neckline. I felt the cold steel against my skin and didn't flinch as the sharp tip pressed into me. A drop of blood ran down to my top.
"I'm not gonna let him go. I know who your friend Bekah is. Or should I say, Maggie Madison? We've known each other for a long time."
Fear gripped my spine. How the fuck did he know this?
He smirked. "We have a history together." He touched my hair." It made me shudder. Memories came back. "Her grandpa will die, tonight. With you."
I struggled against the rope and pain shot through my arms from the beatings.
"No, I won't give you an easy death. Cowards don't deserve an easy death."
Laughter built in me and I bent over at the waist. My laughter grew and rang through the park. Kiril attempted to hide his anger. He spun quickly, his pale eyes narrowing.
"What's so funny?"
I died at this point, doubling over my stomach every time I looked up at him.
"It's just. I'm sorry. You just said coward..." I squealed as his fists clenched tight.
Kiril laughed with me, looking like I'd gone mad. He sauntered over and grabbed me by the hair, yanking my head to the sky.
"Is it still funny?"
My cheeks puffed out, trying not to laugh in his face. His grip tightened. He leaned down, inches away. I felt his breath on my face and tried not to lose it.
"Y-y-yess."
"What's so funny about you dying?"
My voice grew stern as I stared at his hideous face.
"You talk about justice for cowards. How about cowards that kill their sister? You worthless fucking cunt!"
A deep scream roared through his teeth, echoing through the park. He pounded my face. Left, right, left, right — then he crossed with everything he had and plowed into my jaw. I groaned as I spat blood all over the stage. My face hadn’t completely healed since our last encounter. I couldn't think and could barely see. He had knocked my mask sideways and my head slumped over my shoulders. Blood dripped down my nose from lacerations on my forehead where the mask had split me open.
He turned away and then heard me giggle. It turned into a chuckle, then a deeper laugh. I could tell the pain and anguish was raging inside him and I liked it. He turned to my bouncing head, laughing as my blood pooled the floor beneath.
"You think you can goad me again?” He laughed once more. “Yes. I know Zak trained you. You know, it’s too bad what happened to him. Just too bad."
My feet kicked at the ground. I glared at the smug bastard who hid behind his mask.
He snapped his fingers and Suki brought out Grandpa. Grandpa's face filled with horror when he saw me bloody and beaten.
Still, he acted like he didn't know me. "Who's the girl?" Too bad he couldn’t lie for shit.
Kiril smiled as I writhed in pain, glaring at him.
He motioned to Suki who retrieved a rope with a noose tied on one end of it. It stretched up to the lights that hung overhead on the stage. I panted, anger surging in the depths of me. I lunged, and was immediately thrust back into the pole.
"Let him go. We had a deal."
"I don't think so. I think I'll kill you. Then I'll take the only thing Rebekah Balfour, umm, I mean Maggie has left."
He looked at Grandpa and wrapped the noose around his neck, tightening it in the back. Suki brought him the other end of the rope.
"I'm so sorry. It's just business." His mouth formed a grin.
Kiril looked away and Grandpa mouthed "I love you" to me, then closed his eyes.
Kiril yanked the end of the rope. I wailed and screamed, kicking at the fl
oor as Grandpa hung suspended in the air, legs flailing in all directions. Kiril stared at me. Blood saturated the rope around my wrists as I fought at it.
Grandpa's legs kicked. He clawed at the rope around his neck.
His face paled, lips turning blue, and urine ran down his legs.
His limbs finally dropped, hanging there without a fight.
Kiril dropped the rope and Grandpa crashed to the ground. He twitched. His eyes didn't open. I refused to scream his name.
I focused my anger on the man who'd stolen everything from me and was doing it again, slowly, right in front of me.
"You're a fucking coward. You prey on those weaker than you. Your sister was twice as strong as you. A few scars and you showed the world what a bitch really looks like."
He snapped the rope and Grandpa shot back in the air. His legs barely kicked this time.
"No!" I screamed and cried this time.
He handed Suki the rope, smiling, eyeing Grandpa. "But you're a hero. Why don't you stop me? Why don't you save him?"
He turned, his fists cocked like pistons, and throttled Grandpa's stomach. Blood erupted through Grandpa's mouth, running down his lips and chin. His face turned pale blue, his fingertips, lips, and eyelids were a light purple.
Kiril cocked his fist back to deliver the final blow. Everything went into slow motion.
I tried to scream but no words escaped my lips. Suddenly, I heard a loud boom. Everything went hazy and my ears rang. Grandpa fell to the ground, seemingly lifeless. Suki clutched her thigh. Blood oozed around her hand. She fell to the ground and arched her back, groaning.
Kiril's eyes darted around to the shadows. He took cover behind a temporary wall that looked like it was once a stage divider. My veins bulged from my sweaty skin around my wrists, tugging against the ropes with everything I had, trying to make my way to Grandpa. Muscles in my arms and neck tightened and I screamed for him to stay alive. His ribs expanded and contracted. Relief overwhelmed me, but I knew he was barely holding on. He had yet to open his eyes and his fingertips were still a faded, pale blue.
"You okay?" I heard the voice come from the shadows.
"Kyle?"
I saw Kiril's large pupils as he squatted behind the wall. Specks of blood seeped through the cloth wrapped around his face. He stood, staring, the hate filling his eyes with a fiery red. His fists clenched repeatedly.
"He's still here!" I looked around for Kyle.
Kiril roared as he burst toward me. A bullet sparked at his feet and he stopped in his tracks. The blast echoed through the park.
The cyborg girls scurried as Kyle opened fire above them. The bullets whizzed over their heads. Kiril dove back behind the wall. Kyle turned and fired at him. The bullet struck the top of the wall, a good five feet from its target. He is a piss poor shot.
"Kyle!" There was pain in my voice.
"Coming." I could barely make him out as he worked his way to the stage.
Kiril laughed behind the wall. "Yes, hurry. It'll make killing both of you much easier."
"I'm going to put a bullet in your fucking head, bitch!" Kyle ran behind me, drawing a .45 Beretta from his waist.
I don't think so. He is mine.
Kyle pointed the gun at Kiril and his other arm shrugged the rifle over his shoulder. He pulled out a knife, sawing the ropes from my wrists. Aiming the Beretta at Kiril, he held him hostage behind the wall.
"Don't worry. I'll bury both of you next to the old man."
"You buried me a long time ago. It won't happen again." I hadn't seen Kyle this angry, ever.
My arms were finally freed. Cool air soothed the rope burns on my wrists and forearms as I flipped to my feet.
Kiril emerged from the wall, more menacing than ever. Blood streaks lined the cloth on his face. His eyes widened. He popped his neck with one hand and opened his stance, goading me to come after him. He smirked at Grandpa, who was still struggling to breathe.
Kyle raised the gun and moved his index finger to the trigger, ready to finally bury the nightmares we'd endured. My arm flew from my side. I wrapped my fingers around the barrel of Kyle's gun, lowering it.
"We have business."
Kyle started to protest, but saw the look in my eyes. No was not an option.
He lowered his weapon and eased away. My feet shifted to a fighting stance as I found my balance. I drew blades from my belt and spun them in my fingertips. A glint of spotlight flickered off the shiny surface of my weapons. My blades stopped in front of me. Kiril motioned to one of the girls who brought him a large samurai sword.
"I've been waiting to use this."
I turned to Kyle. "Get him out of here." I looked over at Grandpa.
My lungs fully expanded as I stared at the man who had stolen my life. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment.
Zak's words of wisdom sent a calm over me as we circled each other. Kiril twirled the sword with little effort. I was certain every technique in my arsenal was in his as well.
"When I'm done with you. I'm going to carve up your brother, and then finish off your Grandpa. You played me well, Maggie. I respect you for that. But now I'm going to punish you."
I stiffened. How does he know it's me? What the fuck?
"You are confused—"
"Enough with the games, little girl. Your actions told me what I needed to know when you saw him." He nodded to Kyle. "You're still the same whore that didn't bow."
"Fuck you! I never will either."
He lunged, narrowly missing my cheek as I spun away. He followed with another swing of his sword. I deflected with one of my blades and swiped the other at his head as he ducked, avoiding it.
"You're fast for a whore. Faster than Zak was."
He attacked from every angle. Steel clashed together and sparks flew. Every step he took was impeccable. I hurled three knives hard at his face, but he rolled along the floor, launching to his feet as they embedded the wall, splintering the wood, causing cracks to spider web through it.
Kiril growled. He lunged with both hands drawing the sword overhead and slashed downward on me. I blocked it with my knives scissored, catching his steel between them.
He forced the knives toward my face, grinning through his blood-stained bandages. I dropped to a knee, grunting at the mounting pressure. We locked eyes. I fought back, shifting his blade up a few inches.
He released and came across with a right hook, hammering my jaw. Blood spewed from my mouth, splattering on the ground. He spun, his sword slicing through the flesh in my shoulder, spraying the wall with a coat of my blood. Fatigue overwhelmed me as I tried to fight back. I hobbled to him, refusing to cede, clutching my shoulder. Kiril swept my legs and my breath left me as my back slammed to the floor of the stage. He stood over me, blade drawn up with both hands, ready to finish me off.
"Maggie!" My head rolled to the side, watching Kyle pumping his hands on Grandpa's chest as he stared at me.
Kiril's face tightened, pausing for a split-second to smile at Kyle as he reached for one of his guns.
I drew a blade from my hip and plunged it with everything I had into his foot. Blood bubbled from his shoe.
Kiril let out an agonizing scream and thrust the sword down at me. I rolled and sliced the heel of his other leg, severing the Achilles tendon. I whipped to my feet with a second wind, knives twirling in my hands. I thrust one into his rib cage, the other across his right shoulder. His sword clanged on the ground.
I stared at him with all the hate I'd pushed down inside me. Zak's lessons played in my mind again. Revenge or justice? I drew a knife back, but then slowly lowered it. I thought about Zak smiling as his words resonated in me. I was going to have this motherfucker locked up for good.
I hollered to Kyle from the side of my mouth. "He okay?"
"I'm not sure. Help should be on the way."
I panted, staring into Kiril's pale, lifeless eyes once more.
"They're going to lock you in a hole. You'll never hurt anyone again, ever." I c
locked him in the jaw with a right cross. Blood pooled in his cheek, saturating the linens with bright red.
I turned around to walk away and then heard him laugh.
My knuckles whitened on the handle of my blades. Anger blazed in my body. "Something funny?" I turned to face him.
"You're a coward. Just. Like. Your. Father. Right before I put him in the ground. A peasant with no spine."
My jaw clenched tight and rage overcame me. Time halted. Hatred penetrated my skin. Kyle's jaw gaped open.
"No!" I saw Kyle's lips move but didn't hear his words.
I reeled like a cyclone and my blades cut through his neck from both angles. A geyser of blood spewed from his headless body. I caught his head mid-air by the bandages. It was still shrouded with linens. I held it in front of me and stared into his sunken eyes. Screaming into his face, I hurled the head out into the dark off the stage. His body suspended for a moment, heart pulsing blood from the neck, before his headless corpse collapsed into a pile on the ground.
I stood dazed, covered in both of our blood. Sirens blared, and red, white, and blue lights flashed in the distance as I shook back to reality.
I glanced to Kyle. His mouth was wide as he worked on Grandpa.
"Run!"
That's exactly what I did.
Below the shower head, I stood as cold water turned copper, sweeping down my body. I scrubbed on raw skin, tearing open my semi-healed wounds. The blood and dirt stung the cuts and burns. The pain was an inconvenience as I tried to wash away everything I'd done. My tears blended with the water. Murdering Kiril gave me satisfaction. Nothing but torment followed.
I finished up in the bathroom, toweling off my beaten body. I covered my bruises with makeup and dressed my wounds, old and new.
Making my way down the staircase, I found Cody and Kyle waiting on the couch.
"Ready?" I faked a smile for Cody.
"Yeah babe."
We walked into Grandpa's room in the ICU. He was hooked to ventilators and a feeding tube. Wires were sprouting from his fragile body. He was comatose and the doctors didn't know the extent of the brain trauma. Asphyxiation is a tricky thing, they'd told me. We wouldn’t know anything until the swelling subsided and they could determine how long his brain was deprived of oxygen.
The Matriarch: An Erotic Superhero Romance (The Matriarch Trilogy Book 1) Page 21
