Page 113 of Map of Pain

Luka whistled again as Shaw spun around.

Nick dropped into a crouch as Shaw’s wild backhand swept through the air where his head had been. The vampire’s balance was compromised—the severed tendon making him overcompensate, leaving openings Nick never saw in their sparring sessions.

Nick dove for the cleaver, his fingers closing around the handle just as Shaw’s attention snapped back to him.

He always leads with the right when he’s angry,Nick remembered.And he drops his guard when he thinks he’s winning.

Luka struck out, coming in low and fast at Shaw’s injured side. Shaw twisted to defend, his damaged foot sliding on the blood-slick tiles. The distraction lasted only a heartbeat, but it was enough.

Luka whistled a clear C—now—and Nick drove forward with the cleaver aimed at Shaw’s neck.

Shaw caught Nick’s wrist just inches from his throat, his grip like iron.“Predictable,”he sneered.

But Nick had anticipated that very move; with Shaw always countering the obvious attack, Nick stomped down hard on the mangled Achilles, drawing an agonized scream that buckled the vampire’s leg and loosened his hold just enough for Nick to twist free and bring the cleaver down in a vicious arc.

The blade sank deep into Shaw’s shoulder, severing muscle and scraping bone in a spray of blood that coated the counter, leaving Shaw staggering back with his left arm hanging useless, genuine shock replacing his earlier arrogance.

“You little shit,” he panted, words cutting off in a hiss of pain as Nick wrenched the blade free with a wet, sucking sound, watching realization dawn on Shaw’s face—this wasn’t the terrified victim he once broke.

Two major arteries down.

He’s getting slower.

Luka positioned himself behind Shaw, ready to capitalize on any opening. When Shaw turned to track Nick’s movement, Luka struck—grabbing Shaw’s injured arm and wrenching it backward, tearing at the cleaver wound and sending fresh blood down Shaw’s side.

Nick didn’t hesitate. He brought the cleaver around in a brutal arc, the dull back edge slamming into Shaw’s neck with bone-crushing force.

Shaw staggered, his hands flying to his throat as blood poured between his fingers. Luka grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him to the ground, his head cracking against the floor.

Nick stumbled forward, dropping to his knees beside Shaw’s prone form. Shaw’s hands scrabbled at his opened neck, trying to staunch the bleeding, but Nick brought the cleaver down again. And again. And again.

Shaw’s fingers scattered across the tiles as the blade found them, then found his neck once more. Nick didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. The cleaver rose and fell mechanically until the final blow rang against tile, impact vibrations shooting up his arm.

Nick stopped, chest heaving.

He stared at Shaw’s head, separate from his body, eyes still wide with shock. Blood pooled around them both, and Nick realized his clothes were soaked through—cold and stickyagainst his skin. His face was wet, but whether it was blood or tears, he couldn’t tell.

He looked up at Luka, who was watching him with concerned eyes.

“Owen?” Nick asked.

Luka made the tossing away gesture Nick recognized from the hospital—discarded,finished, aborted.

Nick laughed. It started as a dark chuckle but built into something genuine, tired and sore and drained, but real. Relief flooding through him.

Luka sank to the floor beside him, one hand reaching out to stroke Nick’s cheek with infinite gentleness. Bloody tears tracked down the vampire’s face.

“Don’t cry,”Nick saidsoftly.“Not over me. I’m okay, it’s okay.”

Nick leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Luka’s as a sob escaped the vampire’s lips. Nick wrapped his arms around Luka’s shoulders, holding him close as peace washed over them both, sitting together in the carnage of their victory.

As Luka’s sobs continued, Nick found himself hummingthe familiar melody of Jupiter’s chorale, notes rising from his heart to his throat, his vocal chords weaving three words into a wordless song:I love you.

Chapter forty-three

Ass o'clock in the morning...

Luka