Night of Nyx (The Nightfall Chronicles 2.5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

blur. To Zorin, their movements are slow, precise, limited by their bodies. His mind thinks moments ahead, anticipating the next attack, the next feint. But Varian counters him at every turn. This is not a fight, but a chess match. He who sees further ahead shall win.
    Zorin dashes into the sky where Varian cannot follow, a small pause to their game. The King is stronger and faster than he used to be. More genetic modifications, no doubt.
    “You will not last a minute longer,” says Varian. “You know it is true.”
    Zorin has calculated the possibilities, but he cannot surrender. Even if he can’t win, he must try.
    Varian flicks his blade, turning it into a whip. He snaps it at Zorin’s feet, but the Nephilim spins away. He remembers this trick. He parries the next attack, trying to get closer to Varian, but Varian's whip keeps him at a distance.
    Thunder claps in the sky, filling the air with the boom. Lightning streaks the sky.
    "Father?"
    The voice comes through the rain before the girl does. She's soaking wet and dressed in pajamas. Her hair is short and dyed blue. Princess Corinne. She is only a few meters away from Zorin. He could take her as a hostage, gain the advantage, end this for good.
    Varian looks at his daughter and back at Zorin.
    There is a moment.
    A space between heartbeats.
    Zorin turns to Corinne. "Get back in the house."
    Varian sighs. "Do as he says, Corinne. I'll be fine."
    Corinne pauses, then turns and runs away.
    Varian faces Zorin again. "You could have won just now."
    "It is your side who likes to hurt the innocent. I'm trying to protect them," Zorin says. He has one advantage. Varian does not want him dead, only captured. Zorin has no such limits.
    "Your plan didn't work last time, Nyx. It's not going to work this time. Not even with Nightfall."
    His whip and Zorin's blade dash through the air.
    "This world will not survive the corruption of the Orders,” says Zorin. “It's the only way."
    Varian shakes his head. "That was always your problem. You can only see one way, whereas I see many. Some of which allow us both to live."
    The whip flicks around Zorin's throat, choking him, turning to blade and cutting him deeply.
    He falls to the ground, his sword vanishing.
    "You needed an army to win last time," Zorin says through blood as he stands up. "You couldn't defeat me alone."
    "You've been out of practice, though, haven't you? And I'm stronger than I once was. The Pope made sure of that. I'm stronger and faster than any of your kind."
    The whip cuts into Zorin’s legs, his arms. His strength fades. His vision grows dim.
    No. Not yet.
    He pushes forward, crashing into Varian, knocking the King's head against a boulder with a loud crack. The whip slackens.
    And Zorin flies away.
     
    ***
     
    Zorin flies as far as his body will let him, collapsing near a mountain ridge. He lays there, his body broken and bleeding as the rain pours down.
    The thunder shakes the ground, but does not wake him.
    It is not until he hears her voice that he stirs.
    "Andriy, my love, this is not your time to leave this earth."
    His eyes peel open slowly. Danika is kneeling beside him, her ethereal hand resting on his face. "Wake up. You must heal. She still needs you."
    He feels the pain of his injuries in every molecule of his body as he pushes himself out of the mud and water and rolls onto his back. The rain pelts his face, cleaning off the dirt and blood. "I have already failed her."
    "You will only fail her if you give up now and die. So don't. You need to feed. To heal. To return to her."
    Zorin turns his head to the side, to look at his dead wife. "There are no animals here to feed on. Perhaps this is best. We could be together again."
    Would he be with her? He doesn't know, but he wants more than anything to find out. To hold her again.
    He hears the cries of an animal not far off, and he looks over. A deer has broken its leg. Its pained voice carries through the storm.
    "Go," Danika says. "Feed. Heal. This