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Chapter 58 The Dagger
“Neither love nor evil conquers all, but evil cheats more.“–Laurell K. Hamilton
Third Person POV
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01:32
A black and gold embroidered paddle brush glides through ebony strands from the roots to the ends, gripped. by a pale hand, Kiya sat in a chair in front of a full–length mirror in a black nightgown and a teddy bear in her lap. Her crimson eyes fluttered close as she sunk into her pampering, purring quietly. The hair attendant, one of the many hybrids living in Osiris‘ home, released a silent huff of relief. Faini red scars on her white skin were connected with vivid memories of a treacherous training day where she came face–to–face with a sadistic smile and pointed claws from the woman beneath her.
But she couldn’t do anything about it. Not with Osiris‘ heavy and watchful gaze reflecting from the looking glass. Leaning against the doorframe, the vampire allowed his thoughts to fill his mind about his woman. It wasn’t too long ago he had watched Klyn dance freely under the starless sky, Strongest at night, strips and wisps of her dark powers followed her every move, sculpting It to her liking.
Her childlike laughter vibrated through the cool air, free from anguish.
Only f
filled with joy and glee. A marvelous sight for Osiris to see; watching his darling sharpen her powers without realizing it.
It had been three days since Kiya’s turn to the darkness, and the vampire couldn’t be happier. Knowing his dream is within his grasp, fate rewarded him with his hard work. Sweet to him, but a beast to her enemies. The new Kiya was everything Osiris wanted; a partner and a powerful weapon rolled into one.
However, the sheer level of her powers was unprecedented. Selene’s avatars are formidable. The moon is an influential force, but under the cloak of the shadows, even more so.
Molding the mind to personal benefit is a skill many cannot accomplish. It required tremendous concentration and a sharp vision. To Osiris‘ surprise, she mastered it quite quickly when she used her ‘trainers‘ as her prey as she hunted. Developments galore, and it meant the duo will be unstoppable. However, the seed of curiosity spouted in his mind; what else could Kiya do?
After the hair attendant scurried out of the bedroom, Kiya let out a huge yawn, stretching her arms above her head. She was tired. Spotting a pair of reflective reds from the mirror, her exhaustion melted away instantaneously. A grin broke out when she turned to the door. Sprinting toward the vampire, the woman leaped and wrapped her arms around his neck as her bear dangled from her fingertips.
“Hi, Osiris!” She greeted; her pitch higher than normal. “Are you going to tuck me in?”
The vampire chuckled, twirling a lock of her hair around his finger. As much as he liked her curls, he decided
it was best for her to change her look. “As always, my dear. However, we need to talk.”
The light in Kiya’s crimson eyes dulled. “Can we talk in the morning? I’m sleepy.”
“We could, but we won’t. Getting you up for training was hard enough. I only let you sleep in because your body was adjusting to your new developments.”
“I should still sleep in.”
“Not on my watch. Now, stop stalling and let us talk.”
…Under one condition.”
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Osiris knew this was coming. Negotiating with this woman benefitted her more than him, and she takes nothing less than her happiness. Sighing, he unraveled her arms around his neck, peering into her face. “What is your condition, darling?”
“I get an extra two hours of sleep.”
“One.”
She scowled. “Two. Take it or leave it.” Osiris noticed Kiya squeezing her gifted teddy bear tight enough for the cotton to burst from the seams. Anger perfused from her body and her darkness rumbled, threatening to choke him to death. Immediately, he put his hands on her shoulders to calm her down.
“Very well. Two hours, but that’s it.”
Her smile shined through. “I knew you’d see it my way!”
Taking her hand into his own, Osiris led her to her bed where she sat with a bounce. Kiya’s behavior struck him as odd, especially with a toy in her hands. Childlike. A witch conjured the bear using a spell. Now, the toy is attached to her hip. It did not differ from when he first met Halima in the deepest pits of Kiya’s spirit, becoming clingy as he was the only other person she’d spoken to. Now, parts of that child’s personality bled into her adult self.
Yet, during her training, she was different. Ferocious and bloodthirsty. Birthed carnage from her palms, turning her “trainers into her prey. Her toys for her to play with. His servants had other uses besides accompanying him through his mission.
They should be honored that they’re helping their Lady become the best she can be, as she is their ticket to a brighter and better future for their kind.
But she belonged to him. Kiya is his possession and object of desire. He will slaughter anyone who dares to come between him and her.
“So…” Kiya kicked up her feet. “What did you want to talk about?”
“I’ve got you something.”
She gasped in excitement. “Another gift? Where? I want to see it!”
“Patience, Little Moon. Wait here.” After a couple of minutes, Osiris returned to Kiya’s room with a large, black velvet box with red brocades sewn in at each corner. It piqued the woman’s curiosity with her eyes tailing his movement until he sat down.
“Open it.” He handed the box to her. “You’ll like what’s inside.”
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Kiva nestled the box in her lap. Dark power radiated from within, coiling and ready to latch onto whoever dared to open it. A rational person would’ve ditched the box and run like hell. Not Kiya. She wanted to what was inside. magic told her to come closer. Latching their chains of evil onto her heart, it wanted Kaya lu claim what was rightfully hers.
Artemis was no longer there to tell her to be careful. Her voice was as silent as death. The shroud of devilry clouded her gut instincts, infecting her fading humanity, and she didn’t have the will to fight back. After her blood bath, accepting her darker half became easier.
Seduced, she opened the box. A smile crept its way on Osiris‘ face when Kiya’s crimson eyes glowed bright
wonder. What laid upon smooth velvet interior was a dagger, a tool for either noble defense or cold- hearted deeds. Silence befell the woman as infinite possibilities of its use running a marathon in her mind. Many of which involved rivers of crimson and the taste of death.
Carved out of authentic bloodstone, the reds and greens swirled together at the handle, mimicking one of the many galaxies in the cosmos. A thick red diamond sat between the quillons, both curved upward to mimic snake fangs. The untouched silver blade, long and double–edged, was cool and smooth under her fingertips. The tip of the blade gleamed from the comer of her eye.
But an unpleasant, burning sensation attacked her fingertips, prompting her to retract her fingers. Healing fast. Kiya gripped the bloodstone handle, picking up her new weapon. Lightweight and durable. Excellent for combat.
“Hmm…” She hummed, eyes settling on her floor mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, eyes heavy and wicked. Until it shifted. The corners of her vision hazed over, her reflection morphing into the man she hated the most. Was it a hallucination? No matter what Kiya did, the bastard made a mark on her soul that she couldn’t get rid of. And it burned with her every breath.
His wicked smirk shined back at her, conveying a silent message that ignited her anger.
Roaring. Kiya chucked the blade at the mirror, striking the illusion in between the eyes. The air was suddenly rent by the sound of shattering glass, raining down fragments sharp enough to cut on contact. Osiris eyes widened at Kiya’s sudden action, but it failed to damp his grin. Rage is a mighty weapon. Rather than having it aimed at him, it’ll be used to unleash hell on those who’ve created it. Folding one leg over the other, he watched Kiya walking toward the shattered mirror, pulling her blade from the plating.
“It is sharp. I like it.” Her voice dropped an octave, low and menacing. “Is the blade made of silver?”
“Yes. And dipped in concentrated levels of wolfsbane. The witches did a superb job crafting this lovely weapon of destruction for you.” Osiris led Kiya back to the bed, ignoring the teddy bear falling on its face. Kiya stepped on it, unfazed. “If I’m not mistaken, it is like the blade you used to kill your rapist, is it not?””
Kiya’s breathing hitched in her throat at the mention of the dead man. Her glower was sharper than her blade. ready to kill. “Don’t mention him. If the fucker was still alive, I’d kill him ten times over.”
“Too bad Death doesn’t offer returns.” He chuckled. “He may be dead; the rest of your tormenters are not With that blade, you can make them truly suffer. And you’re very creative, my darling. I can’t wait to see your creative masterpieces.
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“I can feel it again.” Kiya hissed, palm rubbing her chest. “The pain. I don’t want it.”
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“It’ll disappear once the villains who caused it are dead.” Osiris whispered, taking a hand and kissing the back of her palm. “And they hurt you deeply, didn’t they? You can kill them all and no one will stop you.”
suddenly.
“Artemis…” She her eyes moistening. “I miss her…”
“You don’t need her.” Osiris reprimanded, tenderly cupping her face in his hand. As Kiya’s anger grows, so does her power. Her darkness feeds on her fury, just as it always has, like gasoline to an open flame. It was important for him to reel her in back to serenity so that she doesn’t grow unstable.
“I want her with me.”
“Your mangy wolf made you weak, Kiya. She was only holding you back! Many have told what you could or couldn’t feel that your hatred was a pest needing to be exterminated! No, your anger only strengthened you. Without it, you wouldn’t have taken down that fool Tristan or that bitch Odessa. In the name of honor, you’d let them live. You’d let them walk all over you again.”
“No! I wouldn’t have! I’m not weak, Osiris!” Kiya shouted, her eyes glowing brilliantly. “I won’t let anyone walk all over me again! I’m strong!”
“Prove it.” Osiris chuckled, running his thumb over his mark on her neck, involuntarily invoking a shiver through her spine. “Forget your old life and release your humanity. You’ll constantly be strong by my side, for I gave you permission to let your true power out. You’re very important to me.”
“I am?”
“Yes, you are.” Searching his pocket, he withdrew the amber necklace. “You’ve come from a long line of pain. Amber suffered and most likely, avatars before her suffered as well. It is your duty to avenge them and your lost childhood. After Zircon Moon perishes under your fury, we will remake the world in our image so that the oppressed no longer have to hide from scrutiny; even if that means obliterating an entire species.”
“What about those I want to live?” Kiya inquired, quirking an eyebrow.
“Hmm.” Osiris maintained an apathetic expression, despite his stomach knotting in disgust. “I supposed there can be a few of those immune from our punishment. They can live in our new world in peace as long as they obey.”
He walked around Kiya’s form, standing behind her with the chains of Amber’s necklace on either hand. “Hold your hair up, my lovely.” She did as she was told, shuddering as the cold crystal touched her skin. Wearing the jewelry from her ancestor was odd, but she wiped that feeling away.
“Do you trust me, Little Moon?” Osiris suddenly inquired, peering into her eyes, his fingers dancing across the amber crystal.
“I…” The tiny voice in her head urged her to reject Osiris, but it left faster it than she could blink. The dark feelings rolled waves of warmth throughout her body, relaxing her running mind. “…do. I do trust you.”
“Good.” Wrapping his arm around her waist, Osiris closed the distance between them, their chests pressed against each other. “It’ll all be worth it in the end. And I promise you, here and now, that I’ll protect you and
4/5
Chapter 18 – The Degge
love you like you deserve. Now that I have you, I’ll never let you go.”
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01:20
The two leaned in, ready to share a kiss until a knock on the door disturbed them. Osiris growled low, stiffening his hold around Kiya, who giggled. “What is it?” He demanded.
“I apologize for the interruption, Lord Osiris. But our scouts tracked down Nadia and Lucien. They are in California.”
That is excellent news to the vampire. His betrayers are found and soon, he’ll mark them for death. Chuckling, he curled his fingers under Kiya’s chin and tugged her into a swift kiss. “It looks like I’ll be taking you out into town tomorrow, my Lady.”
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