Once More

“Andrev!” Kana cried. She was sprawled across the grass, body broken, bleeding. She heaved herself up on her hands, dragged herself toward him.

He shook his head. No. She’d betrayed him, pretended to die, turned him into the monster he’d told himself he wasn’t. But her eyes were wide, pleading, and she was crying.

“Andrev, don’t --”

Kir kicked him in the ribs, spun him over onto his back. Andrev lay there, panting, gazing up at him.

“Not so strong now, are you, beast?” Kir leaned over and sneered, his breath foul, features twisted with hate.

The earth trembled once more.