Page 26 of Till Death Do Us Part

She stood next to me, her arm around my waist, seemingly having materialized from nowhere, her blade catching Yulia’s inches from my throat.

Vera’s eyes burned with cold fire as she spoke. “You come one inch closer to my wife,” she said, “and they’ll never find enough of you to bury.”

“Vera Farkas,” Yulia said. “You’re faster than I remember. You’ve been practicing.”

“No. Just more motivated.”

My heart beat faster at the way she held me, claimed me, protected me. Even as an act…

Yulia turned her gaze back to me.

“You did not flinch, Elaine Whitner,” she said. “Are you fearless, or are you foolish?”

“I knew you wouldn’t hurt me,” I said. “I’ve seen a lot of people in difficult situations. I know when someone is willing to hurt someone… and when someone is only hurting themselves.”

Yulia scoffed, but I saw the intensity in her eyes. Vera moved me behind her, flexing her fingers as she held the blade up against Yulia’s.

“Is this finally the time I get to kill you?” Vera said.

“It is perhaps my long-awaited opportunity to get rid of you, Wolf,” Yulia said. “If Elaine’s inheritance will go to you… I will simply have to get rid of both of you.”

“My pleasure,” Vera growled. “I’ve been waiting for this.”

“Wait,” I called, but they didn’t—blades gleamed, and they both moved too fast to follow, a loud clash as they lunged, first towards Yulia, and then towards Vera, backing up and then again towards the middle, blades held against one another in a different configuration than before. “Stop!” I shouted, stepping in between them, and they both gave me looks of surprise.

“Elaine—” Vera started.

“You know there’s no use,” I said. “If you kill me and Vera, it goes to somebody else. We’re not clueless.”

Yulia narrowed her eyes. I turned to Vera.

“We don’t need to fight,” I said. “Let’s go.”

“Tch.” Vera looked away. “I guess my wife doesn’t want me making a mess in her family’s house. Until next time, Yulia.”

“You are an interesting one, Elaine,” Yulia said, her voice slow and careful. “Watch yourself.”

And as quickly as she appeared, she was gone, slipping through the door and out the back. Vera turned to me with her eyes burning.

“That,” she said, “was stupid of you.”

“I…”

“And very strong.” She took my hand, pulling me towards the front door. “We bought enough time. Petra has moved Caitlyn safely. And the damn cat. I know a route we can take that will lose them.”

“A route…”

“Just be careful.” She grimaced. “It’s a high place.”

Chapter 12

vera

“Elaine and I are moving,” I said into the radio as we climbed into the car—my own car, right where I’d parked it, leaving behind the stolen car where I’d found it. I was sure it was bugged, but the path wouldn’t help them anyway. “We’ll need you at the manor.”

“Oh, what kind of situation have you gotten yourself into this time, dear?” Jenna’s voice was soft down the line.

“Just a few scratches. But the Whitecliffs have been one step ahead of us. We’ll need a physical evaluation, make sure neither of us have been poisoned.” I shut the car door, and I picked a white hair off my suit. Cat hair. “Er… any chance you know any veterinary science, while you’re at it?”