Adriel hissed and raised his hand. Dropping it dramatically, he signaled for his men to attack.
Eying Kayden, I nodded to him and leapt forward into a roll, giving Declan room to slide into position and slice through the necks of two of the guards. Spinning around once more, he removed the heads of the other two and smiled at Adriel.
I rolled across the floor and landed at Kayden’s feet while he extended his fangs and bit into Wesling’s wrist to keep her from pulling the blade through his neck. He simultaneously pulled a stake from his blazer sleeve and stabbed her in the hip.
Wesling screamed and tried to pull away, but Kayden had a good hold on her arm.
Gripping my stake, I jabbed it into her shoulder. She wailed and dropped the knife as she finally tore her arm away from Kayden’s teeth. She tried to limp away, but the stake to her hip had done its job and kept her from escaping.
She backed away and sneered at Kayden. “He’s nothing more than a filthy whore. He’ll betray you as he’s betrayed me. You should kill him now and save yourself the trouble.”
“I never claimed to love you, Gamila. You forced me into your bed night after night. The worst part is that you never loved me. You got off on hurting me. Well, guess what? I found someone who loves and accepts me. I hope you get everything you deserve.” Kayden spat her blood on the ground and turned his back to her.
“Gamila. I had no idea that was your name.” I shook my head, trying to process her unfortunate name. “Any final words, Gamila?” I raised the stake above my head but she immediately fell to her knees.
“I pledge my loyalty to the Sabourin Coven. Please, Ceyla, spare my life.” She raised her good hand and pleaded for mercy.
I glanced at Kayden in disbelief. “Is she kidding?”
Kayden shook his head and stepped in front of me to grab her chin and force her to look at him. “After everything you put me through, I would never grant you mercy. You beat me, raped me and humiliated me every second of every day. Why would Ceyla want someone like you in her coven? She’s trying to change the way we treat each other. Yes, she will dust her enemies because that’s the only way she can start over, but she will show mercy to those who deserve it. People like you and the Mielcareks have no concept of right and wrong, no understanding of justice. I choose Ceyla because she’s better than all of you. I will stand by her side and watch the old ways die as you and the Mielcareks turn to dust.”
Slipping the stake into his hand, I took a step back. “Kayden’s right. There is no mercy for the merciless.”
Wesling sneered and launched herself at Kayden’s throat, but Kayden was ready for her move of desperation. He drove the stake into her heart, ignoring the claws that tore his skin.
I couldn’t help but smile when I saw her ashes float to the ground.
With Wesling gone, I turned to watch Declan and Adriel engaged in a bloody sword battle. Both were truly skilled warriors, equally matched in all ways, except one.
“Hey, Adriel!” I ripped open my shirt and bra to expose my breasts to him.
He stopped long enough to admire my breasts, giving Declan time to deliver the final blow and remove his head.
Panting, Declan stared at me. “You couldn’t have done that five minutes ago?”
I shrugged and ran to his side to help him stand. “Sorry, General Declan.”
He smirked at his new title. “I like the sound of that.”
Landon shuffled over and sighed. “I never thought I would see the end of them.”
“I’m glad to be rid of them, but they’re just the beginning. Killing the Mielcareks will be much harder than this.” I sighed when I thought about the long journey ahead of us.
Landon put his hand on my shoulder. “There is something you should know, Ceyla. Word came in just before you launched your attack that Marianela Mielcarek was captured. The coven tried to keep things quiet, but she has been waging her own war against her brother for dethroning her. Marcario finally defeated her army and tried her for treason.”
Frowning, Declan held up his sword to wipe the blood off it. “Ceyla, you should know that Marianela personally gave me the order to kill you. She feared the power of the fallen covens. When I failed her, she sent me here as a punishment. She told me that if I ever spoke to you, she would have Wesling divulge my mission to kill you. Marianela assumed that you would hate me and try to kill me.”
Looking at Landon, I sneered. “Where is she?”
“They are giving her a second chance and sending her to Wicked Reform School.” He grimaced as spoke the name no one wanted to say out loud.
Kayden leaned his head on my shoulder. “This could be your only chance to kill one of the Mielcarek leaders. Though she’s fighting with her brother, killing her would strike a serious blow to their coven.”
I closed my eyes and thought about the best way to achieve my objectives. I wanted to rip out the heart of the Mielcareks. Killing Marcario’s sister would certainly get his attention, while eliminating a threat.
Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes and looked to my men. “We spread the word that Adriel and Wesling turned on each other in a
