35.

But even as Kurtz and Burton both moved to carry out the order, Annja and Hsu Xiao moved at the exact same time. Hsu Xiao unleashed a volley of throwing spikes and Annja had her sword in hand in an instant, cutting down at Kurtz's exposed arm.

Hsu Xiao's spikes bit into Burton's neck, jutting out of his larynx at odd angles. Burton's weapon swung up, wildly spraying rounds across the pavilion. Hsu Xiao had to dive and roll to avoid being struck by any of them.

Annja's blade sliced Kurtz's arm and his trigger hand fell slack, blood spouting and spraying the surrounding area. Kurtz screamed and tried to swing back to punch at Annja, but she sank down and then stabbed right up into Kurtz's exposed midsection. Her blade sliced Kurtz's heart in two.

Kurtz grabbed at Annja's blade and then fell back and off it as Annja got to her feet.

Across the way, Burton clawed at the spikes in his neck, gurgling on the blood that filled his lungs. His fingers sc.r.a.ped at the spikes and then he slumped over and fell, ramming the weapons deeper into his neck.

It happened so quickly that Tsing barely had time to comprehend it. In seconds he'd gone from a position of power to suddenly being drastically outnumbered.

Annja meanwhile had a more immediate threat. Hsu Xiao had gotten off the ground and now stalked her.

"It doesn't have to end this way," Annja said.

Hsu Xiao smiled. "I exist to deal out death."

"You can change."

Hsu Xiao cast a quick glance at Vanya's corpse and then shook her head. "No. I can't. And what would I do without my mistress? I live to serve her whims and I have carried out my orders faithfully, even when they entailed doing horrible things that no one should have to endure."

"You've served her honorably, no doubt," Annja said. "But let it go now. Think of your family."

"My family doesn't know I exist," said Hsu Xiao. "Vanya raised me from the time I was taken out of the nursery. My mother had triplets and was told only two survived. I was raised in secret to be a tool for her ambitions."

"Go home, then," Annja said. "Find your family. Tell them who you are."

Hsu Xiao shook her head. "I will never be permitted to live. I know too much and my connection to Vanya means I will be branded an enemy of the state. My life is forfeit."

Tsing sneered. "She's right. And once I get back I will see to it that she and her entire family are put to death."

Annja was about to say something when Tuk kicked Tsing's legs out from behind him and then clocked him on the head. Tsing sank to the stone floor unconscious. Tuk frowned. "He talks too much."

Annja kept her eyes on Hsu Xiao. "What if Tsing doesn't survive? There would be no one left to tell the government what happened here. You could make up any story you wish and they would never know."

Hsu Xiao shook her head. "It's not possible. I know what my future holds and I know what I have to do."

"But-"

As Annja started to protest, Hsu Xiao was already rus.h.i.+ng at her. She cut and slashed and hacked at Annja, driving her back toward the grand staircase. Annja struggled to endure the a.s.sault, surprised that despite Hsu Xiao's injury she was still incredibly strong.

"Dammit, it doesn't have to be like this!"

Hsu Xiao smiled. "It does. I will die, Annja Creed, but first I will see to it that you die, as well. My mistress would have wanted it that way."

Annja felt the stairs beneath her feet and fell away, tumbling down them. The treads bit into her spine as she rolled. Annja willed the sword away before it toppled from her hands. She concentrated on tightening up into a ball as much as possible. If she could just minimize the impact to her body, when she came to rest at the bottom, she'd be okay.

But she hadn't counted on the steps being so sharp. The treads cut at her and she knew she was bleeding everywhere. When the bottom rushed up to greet her at long last, Annja unfolded with blood running from her arms, legs, back and head.

Hsu Xiao followed her down the stairs and landed gracefully at the bottom none the worse for wear.

Annja summoned the sword to her hands. "You mean to end this?" she asked.

Hsu Xiao nodded.

"Then let's do it." Annja frowned.

Hsu Xiao ran at her and Annja cut up, trying to take the offensive. But Hsu Xiao came in close and knee-locked Annja. Driving her own knee against Annja's, she swept Annja's leg out and she collapsed onto the ground.

Annja pivoted and backfisted Hsu Xiao in the stomach. Hsu Xiao grunted and staggered away.

Annja got to her feet and brought the sword up in front of her, charging forward to cut down again and again at Hsu Xiao's exposed body. But as she brought her last cut straight down, Hsu Xiao brought her claws together and stopped the blade.

Annja was shocked. She'd never known anything that could stand up to a direct cut from her sword. It was then she realized that Hsu Xiao didn't have regular fingernails at all. She had metal claws like some movie character.

Worse, her claws had edges everywhere instead of just on one side.

Hsu Xiao flicked them at Annja and she felt one of them score a line across her face.

Blood streamed down her cheek.

Hsu Xiao pushed off against the sword blade and then kicked Annja again in the stomach. Annja rolled over backward, keeping a hold on the sword, but also smarting from the impact of the kick.

Annja immediately lashed out with her own kick and Hsu Xiao blocked it by bringing her leg up so it bent at the knee. Annja felt the kick slide off, but used the momentum to try to close some of the distance.

She did so and shot an elbow into Hsu Xiao's midsection. The a.s.sa.s.sin grunted and then thrust her hand at Annja's trachea. The shot scored a hit and Annja felt herself gagging and choking at the same time. She willed her throat to stop convulsing and prayed it wouldn't swell up.

Hsu Xiao raked her claws back and tried to catch Annja, but Annja had already started to duck and the claws only sliced through where her hair had been seconds earlier.

Annja pivoted on the ground and tried to sweep Hsu Xiao's legs out from under her, but the woman leaped into the air and then came down, aiming her heels at Annja's exposed knee. Annja saw the attack coming and, at the last possible second, curled her leg to avoid the incapacitating blow.

Hsu Xiao cut down and Annja barely had enough time to bring the sword up to block the shots. Hsu Xiao's claws clattered off the steel of the blade and Annja tried a halfhearted stab at Hsu Xiao's midsection.

Sweat poured off both of them. All of Annja's injuries stung from the sweat and salt rubbing with the blood and exposed skin. Hsu Xiao seemed to be running on fumes but her attacks never wavered.

She came at Annja, slas.h.i.+ng with her claws at Annja's abdomen once more. Annja pivoted out of the way and used the pommel of the sword to backhand Hsu Xiao by the temple. She struck but the pommel only grazed Hsu Xiao. The a.s.sa.s.sin tumbled past and tucked herself into a roll.

Annja chased and cut down but then Hsu Xiao stopped herself and shot a donkey kick into Annja's body, catching Annja under the ribs. Annja felt the two previously injured ribs crack again and she cried out in pain.

Hsu Xiao recovered and then lunged at Annja, her claws already unfurling and aiming right at Annja's face. Annja ducked back and the claws arced through the s.p.a.ce where her head had just been.

Annja brought the sword up and tried to once again stab into Hsu Xiao's midsection, but the a.s.sa.s.sin merely spun and the blade cut nothing but air.

This is getting ridiculous, Annja thought. I need to find a way to finish this thing once and for all. I haven't got much energy left and time is running out.

By Annja's estimate, they had perhaps five minutes until the entire installation blew up.

She had to end this battle.

Hsu Xiao delivered two sharp hand strikes to Annja's collarbones and Annja felt the jarring impact like it was a concussion grenade. She slumped with the strikes and Hsu Xiao followed up by kneeing Annja in the face.

Annja heard her nose crack and a fresh river of blood flowed down her face.

"You're finished, Annja Creed," Hsu Xiao said through clenched teeth. "Give up now and I will kill you painlessly."

"I don't know how to give up," Annja said. She cut back at Hsu Xiao and, this time, the point of her sword caught the lithe a.s.sa.s.sin near the ribs. Annja twisted the blade but Hsu Xiao had corrected her position and the blade cut no more.

Hsu Xiao danced away but Annja could see that she'd struck a solid cut. Blood was spreading on Hsu Xiao's s.h.i.+rt.

Annja pressed the attack, cutting out from the side, trying to cleave Hsu Xiao in two with the blow. Hsu Xiao ducked the blow and then tripped Annja as she pa.s.sed.

Annja sprawled onto the ground and the sword clattered away.

In an instant, Hsu Xiao was atop Annja. Annja flipped over and faced Hsu Xiao. The Chinese a.s.sa.s.sin raked at Annja's face again and again.

Annja blocked the strikes and punched up into Hsu Xiao's face, scoring a direct hit on her nose. Hsu Xiao's face opened up and blood covered them both.

Annja kicked her hips up, trying to dislodge Hsu Xiao but the woman would not allow herself to be bucked off. Instead, she brought one of her claws under Annja's ear, nearly nicking it off in the melee.

Annja grimaced and used her elbows again to strike at Hsu Xiao's temple. She scored once and Hsu Xiao rolled clear.

Annja got to her feet, wobbling from the loss of blood.

Hsu Xiao also seemed unsteady, but her claws still gleamed in places that weren't covered with Annja's blood.

"It doesn't have to be this way," Annja said.

Hsu Xiao smirked. "You're begging for mercy now? I wouldn't have thought you were the type."

"I'm not," Annja said. "I'm giving you the chance to give up and stay alive."

Hsu Xiao shook her head. "We're too far into this. It has to end here and now."

Annja shook her head. "I don't want to have to kill you."

Hsu Xiao shrugged. "Then you're in trouble. Because I desperately want to kill you."

Annja frowned. "So be it."

Hsu Xiao rushed at Annja and Annja summoned the sword into her hands. The distance was almost too tight, but Annja managed to wedge the blade up and in so the point was aimed right at Hsu Xiao's heart as she came screaming back in one last time.

The tip of the sword slid into her chest and through her heart.

Instantly all the strength drained from the a.s.sa.s.sin's body and Hsu Xiao collapsed against Annja's chest, the blade jutting out through her back.

For a moment, Annja could have sworn she felt the pulsing tremor of two heartbeats. But then she realized it was only her own, echoing back from the body of her rival.

36.

Annja rolled out from under Hsu Xiao and stared at the lifeless body of an enemy who had very nearly killed her. The sword hung heavy in her right hand and she closed her eyes and returned it to the otherwhere.

When she opened her eyes again, Hsu Xiao's stared into hers and, for just a moment, a spasm of fear rolled through Annja's stomach, but she looked again and knew that Hsu Xiao's lifeless cold orbs would never again hold life in them.

Her body ached and she struggled to get to her feet. She was weak from the loss of blood. Annja said a silent prayer of thanks for the skill and help in defeating Hsu Xiao and then she started to climb the stairs.

"Annja!"

Tuk raced down and helped her stagger up the stone steps. Annja kept her eyes focused on the walk ahead, but each step seemed to exacerbate the intense pain she felt riddling her body.

At the top of the stairs, she saw that Mike had a gun trained on the now-conscious Tsing. Tsing looked at her and smiled. "I see you persevered over a very adept enemy."

"She was incredibly skilled," Annja said. And then she felt her world tumble sideways. Tuk was there to catch her and he lowered her to the stone floor, wiping some of the sweat and blood away from her eyes.

"So what happens now?" asked Tsing. "Do you all go home riding off into the proverbial sunset? And what about me?"

Annja frowned and glanced at Mike, who had the gun trained on Tsing and looked as though he wanted to use it. "What do you think, Mike?"

"d.a.m.ned if I know, Annja. A big part of me wants to shoot this guy and be done with him. But I've never murdered a man in cold blood before. Even someone like this t.u.r.d, who clearly deserves it."

Annja tried to smile but groaned instead. Next to her, Tuk nursed some of her wounds.

"You're lucky to be alive," Tuk said quietly. "I've never seen a fight like that."

"I've never had a fight like that," Annja said. "And for a while there, I thought I was actually going to die."

Tuk grinned. "It looked that way. I wasn't sure what we were going to do if Hsu Xiao beat you and came running back up those steps. Mike and I were simply going to shoot her down with as many bullets as possible. It didn't look like anything could stop her."

"I wasn't sure anything could," Annja said. "But she made a mistake and I saw it. Sometimes, that's all it is. There's nothing amazing or significant about the victory. It's just a small thing that reveals itself in a blink in the action. You either take the opportunity or you lose it and die."

"And you took it."