Before I could react, Tristan was able to slice my face drawing blood. It was too late to dodge.
He smirked and watched the trail of blood fall while I felt the stinging sensation of the wound.
Damn.
Raising my fingers, I touched the wound and traced the length of the damage. I just hoped I could still heal it without leaving any scars. But if it will remain, I have to accept it.
"Bastard! Traitor!"
“A word of advice. Do not believe the words of a rogue. Like your sister.”
“Damn you!”
Tristan cleared his ears. “That’s all you can say? Curse me?” He looked at the dagger. "You won't fight? You will die being a coward, then. But as a grateful recognition of your efforts for healing me back then, I will make your death as painless as possible, River. And in memory also of Melissa and Robert."
And he lunged again.
This time, I was able to prepare myself. I shifted into my wolf and landed on fours.
He smirked at my beast form. "That's right. Do whatever you want to save yourself. Prove to your sister that you deserve to be saved when you are still a baby. Melissa and Robert laid their lives for you. But that was all in the past."
Now that he had started talking about my parents, I wanted to ask him many questions, but I couldn’t because Sunflower had taken charge.
I howled, not letting my panic get through me. Compared to him, Tristan was an experienced fighter and a rogue on top of that. They were trained to fight at an early age to whatever means that could save themselves. In contrast, I was taught to work in the packhouse until my body gave up.
Weak or not, even if this will be my last time to breathe, I will die protecting this kingdom against Zenith and Tristan.
This time, I pounced first and attacked him, aiming for his neck.
However, Tristan’s movements were agile and fast, dodging my attacks easily. I tried again and again, but the man just laughed at me.
Baring my fangs, I caught my breath as I struggled to maintain my composure.
Fighting against Tristan was futile, but if I stopped, that would mean I was accepting my death.
No freaking way!
“I’m getting bored, River. Let’s end this.”
He readied his dagger and lounged again. His eyes told me he was aiming for the fast kill—a stab into the neck to the side of the larynx.
He tried to stab me in my neck, but my wolf was faster than him. However, Tristan found some opening, and before I could evade it, he stabbed his dagger into my leg and twisted it.
I cried in pain.
He laughed, loving to hear my scream of pain.
Tristan pulled it out and managed to try to attack me again, this one aiming for my stomach. No. My kidney.
But before he could succeed, a shriek broke out, drawing Tristan’s attention. Using that opportunity, despite the pain, I shifted back into my human form, grabbed the dagger lying on the side, and plunged it into his stomach, and drove it to the hilt. I missed the liver.
Tristan’s eyes widened, and he staggered backward.
“You!” he spat while pointing in my direction. He pulled out the dagger and threw it away.
Wincing, I breathed a couple of times, preparing myself for his attacks.
The resounding footsteps of someone in a hurry were heard all over.
“Tristan! What is the meaning of this?” It was Zenith, rushing towards our direction. “You're killing River! She is on our side! She is my sister!”
The blood around his wound created a pool based on where he was stranding. My head spun as I continued watching the blood from his injury and mine.
I breathed deeply, trying not to faint at the sight.
Zenith watched me closely, inspecting my wounds. “What the fuck?” she cursed. “This is not part of the plan! We promised not to harm my little sister.”
Little sister.
Did it mean she accepted me?
Something warmed my heart.
“Lower your voice. The other might hear us.”
Zenith drew me closer to her side. My dizziness was temporarily forgotten because of her warmth.
“Then what do you want me to do? What while you kill her?”
Glaring at me, Tristan muttered, “What should I do? Stay still while she wanted to ruin our plan? We are already done with this, Zenith. You promise to help me when you return here in exchange for your freedom.”
“And you promise to protect my sister.”
Wait.
Zenith was held against her will when she was missing.
“Something changed. She did not want to side with us.”
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