Page 83 of Tiger's Destiny
“Agreed,” I announced and shook their hands before Ren or Kishan could intervene. “But understand one thing . . . you cheat and it’s no holds barred. I get to use all the power at my disposal on you.”
“We accept.” Wyea grinned and boldly stroked my cheek.
With a grunt I shoved his hand away. “You haven’t won anything yet so keep your hands to yourself.”
The twin brothers laughed then disappeared, and a trumpet was sounded.
“I guess that means it’s time,” I mumbled. I kissed Kishan on the cheek and whispered, “That’s for good luck.”
He smiled, and I turned to Ren. “Bhagyashalin, Ren.”
“See you on the other side, Kells.”
I pressed my lips to his cheek. “Be careful,” I admonished as I brushed the hair from his eyes, and the two men I loved headed into battle with the Lords of the Flame.
As they walked away, I wondered if my promise to remain on the sidelines would end up costing one or both of them their lives.
22
the heat of battle
Ren and Kishan moved into position. Wyea made the first move and charged at Ren with his deadly spear. He spun at the last moment, and the morning star struck Ren’s shield with a loud clash. Ren attacked with his sword, but the heavy weapon only glanced off Wyea’s armguard.
Kishan and Shala circled each other until, with a battle cry, Kishan attacked. He went straight for Shala’s head. The fire Lord parried with the edge of his staff, but Kishan’s blow was so powerful that Shala staggered back a few steps and had to readjust his helmet. Then he smiled, twirled his staff a few times, and hit Kishan so hard that Kishan spun off balance.
Quick as a bullet, Shala rolled his weapon across his shoulders and jabbed the sharp end into the unprotected spot where the armor met at Kishan’s shoulder. Kishan grunted and moved away. The blade came out slick with Kishan’s blood.
Shala laughed and called out, “I drew first blood, brother.”
“But I will have the first defeat,” Wyea boasted.
He’d been effectively clubbing Ren’s shield until it was bent with the force of his attacks, and when Ren made a risky move to plunge his sword into Wyea’s chest, the Lord simply disappeared and reappeared next to Ren. With a mighty blow from the fire Lord, Ren’s shield flew from his grasp and he fell to one knee.
I shouted, “That’s cheating!” but they ignored me.
Deftly, Ren rolled away from his opponent and stood ready with his sword in one hand and the trident in the other. He struck away the spear with his sword and shot darts with the trident. The missiles dented Wyea’s armor and one grazed his neck. Wyea touched the wound and rubbed the wet blood between his fingers.
“So you have some claws after all!”
“You have no idea,” Ren responded and charged.
Wyea renewed his attack.
Meanwhile, Kishan leapt over Shala’s blade as he swept Kishan’s feet. The other end of the staff was racing in a perfect arc to decapitate Kishan, but Kishan raised his shield and fortunately the weapon glanced off. With Shala’s back turned, Kishan stabbed him under the arm, twisting his sword as he withdrew. Shala cried out and spun angrily, raising his weapon over his head.
Shala brought his weapon down with a heavy clash—just as Kishan’s sword rose to meet it. The two men shoved off each other, and Shala threw a fire ball at Kishan’s head. Kishan ducked and launched thechakraminto the air. It struck Shala’s back on its return and imbedded itself into his armor.
Enraged, Shala yanked thechakramout and dropped it onto the black soil. His blood coated the sharp edge.
“Now we’re even,” Kishan said.
Shala sneered. “You won’t be saying that when I take your woman.”
“Not in this lifetime.”
“You forget. I’m immortal. Your lifetimes are as the blink of an eye to me.”
Shala snapped the flat side of the blade across Kishan’s neck in a mocking blow. Kishan fell to the ground, grabbed thechakram, and did a kick-stand, ending with thechakrampositioned across the fire Lord’s throat.
