Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World #1)(85)

Neizghání makes a disapproving sound behind me, but I ignore him.

“And that kiss, Kai. What was that?”

His face flushes and his eyes lock onto mine. “That was real.”

I blink, trying to clear the unwanted tears. My stomach aches and I wrap my arms around myself to hold it all in. “It would have been better if it was a lie.”

“Maggie, no. Don’t.” His voice is kind, gentle. The same voice that called to me while I was dying in the arena. I cling to that thought. Kai fought for me. He healed me. That was real. That was real. Our kiss was real.

But so was his deception.

“Did you heal me to save me? Or was it so I would survive and fight Neizghání for you?”

“I healed you because I . . . I couldn’t lose you.”

I turn from him, unsteady. Lean over with my hands braced against my knees and try to breathe. Tell myself that if I’ve been hustled, well, then it’s my fault. Because isn’t that what I said about Ma’ii? Kai was just better at it.

I take a deep breath. Face Kai again, and, God, it hurts. All I want to do is rewind the clock, back to Grace’s library. But that moment has passed, and we’re never getting it back.

“Why are you telling me all this? Why not use Bit’??’nii now, when you need it most? Can’t you just talk me into fighting Neizghání for you?”

He nods, slow and careful. “I could. But I don’t want to lie to you. I don’t want to trick you.”

A low rumble of laughter behind me. “Once a liar, always a liar. Chíníbaá, he admits himself that he cannot be trusted. He has used you, done his best to turn you against me. Kill him for his betrayal and let us be done here.”

“Go away.”

“Do not feel embarrassed that he used you. You are but a five-fingered and your kind cannot—”

“I said go away!” I can feel Neizghání tense, so I add a “Please.” I turn to Neizghání, and he’s staring at me, eyes questioning. “I just . . . I just need to think.”

At first I think he’ll refuse, but after a moment he stalks away.

I crouch down, touch my hands to the earth to steady myself. I need a plan. A better plan. Not Ma’ii’s, not Neizghání’s, not even Kai’s . . . And the thought is there. Awful. Monstrous. But perfect. I stand up. Kai straightens too, like a man facing a firing squad.

“What happens in the dreams, Kai?” I ask. “When the monsterslayer comes for you?”

He flinches. “I die.”

“And then what?”

He shakes his head, uncertain what I mean.

“And then what?” I repeat, my voice urgent. Because I have an idea. A stupidly painful idea. But if it works . . .

I watch understanding break across his face.

And then dread.

He swallows, the tendons in his neck tightening, and I can see his mind racing, looking for another way out. Any way out.

He lowers his eyes as he comes to the same conclusion that I have. When he opens them again and looks back at me, they are a solemn brown, the silver completely gone.

And I know.

I pull the Glock free from its holster. Glance over my shoulder at Neizghání. He’s watching me, curious. But not interfering, and far enough away that if I lean close to Kai, Neizghání can’t hear me. “You were right about me, Kai,” I whisper, low and urgent. “About me being more than a killer. And I think . . . I think I want to try that.” My gaze shifts down to the brand by my heart. “He’ll never let me. He’ll never let you.”

“If I survive, but I lose you to him, I’ll be dead anyway.”

I tap the hoops in the bag at my belt to remind him of our plan. “You don’t think I can win? I think I’m insulted.”

I smile, but there’s no humor in my voice. “Have a little faith.”

Kai’s face is ghosted and feverish. He looks at me a long minute. A tremor rolls through his body. Finally, he holds his hands out to his sides, a gesture of surrender. “I have faith.”

I take three steps back. Raise my gun. K’aahanáanii is silent, offering me nothing that makes this easier. And there is nothing easy about this. But my hand is steady and my aim is true.

“Then it’s time to die, Rabbit,” I whisper.

And just like that, I put a bullet through his heart.





Chapter 37


Kai collapses. Hits the ground with an ugly thud.

Clive scrambles forward and lunges for me with a tortured cry, a hunting knife in his hand that I hadn’t noticed. I pedal backward and he misses me by miles. And then Neizghání is there, bringing down the pommel of his sword on Clive’s already injured head. The redhead goes limp, sprawled out next to Kai’s body.

Silence. Silence surrounds us. The earth shudders. Thunder booms somewhere in the distance.

Hastiin and the rest stare. I don’t know how much they heard. How much they understand.

And then Neizghání is laughing. Loud, joyous, a sound to rouse the sun god’s soul.

“You always surprise me,” he muses, pushing at Kai’s body with the toe of his moccasin. “I forget how strong your taste for bloodshed is. But it is better he is dead. The things the Cat told me of his power foretold chaos.”