Part 36 (1/2)

But Vanya kept laughing. ”They won't come. I unhooked the receiver at the nurse's station. We're all alone, Annja. And now I can finally finish what I started.”

She slashed at Annja's throat. Annja ducked and then kicked up at Vanya's kneecap. The kick landed square and Vanya grunted as the heel landed flush. But her leg didn't buckle.

”That works better if the leg is straightened,” Vanya said. Then she punched Annja across the jaw.

The blow sent Annja reeling. She toppled over the bed, landing on her feet near the door. She made a run for it, but the door was locked.

”I've got the key right here,” said Vanya. ”You're welcome to try and take it from me.”

Annja tried to summon the sword again. It was a little more clear, but she still couldn't see clearly enough to bring it out.

Vanya edged closer again and, this time, when she slashed, the edge of the scalpel bit into Annja's forearm, scoring a line from the wrist to the elbow. Annja glanced down and saw a flap of skin hanging loose. Blood poured from the wound and spilled across the sheets and the floor.

Annja slid back toward the wall, gripping her arm. Vanya came closer. ”I'll make it quick,” she said.

Annja lashed out with another kick and landed it square in Vanya's stomach. Vanya doubled over and backed away.

I've got to get the sword, Annja thought.

But then Vanya was coming at her again, cutting and slas.h.i.+ng with the scalpel.

Annja fell back under the a.s.sault, and when she tried to check Vanya's advance, Vanya grabbed her wounded arm and Annja screamed. Vanya's nails sank into the exposed muscle and tendons and crushed them under her grip.

The pain nearly caused Annja to pa.s.s out.

But she used all of her strength to throw Vanya back across the room. The woman slammed into the wall opposite the bed and fell to the floor. But she immediately scrambled to her feet and came running again.

”You're not going to make it out of here alive, Annja Creed,” she shouted as she cut down with the scalpel. This time, it stuck into the exposed bone in Annja's forearm.

Annja screamed again and tore her arm away from Vanya's grasp, the scalpel jutting out at an awful angle. Annja glanced down at the blade and yanked it free. Then she stalked Vanya.

But Vanya pulled out another scalpel and the two of them circled.

Vanya feinted and came in with a straight stab. Annja sidestepped the thrust and slashed across the top of Vanya's forearm, drawing blood for the first time.

Vanya let out a shriek and then retreated, but still kept her blade in front of her.

Annja, woozy from the injuries, advanced but slowed down.

Vanya backslashed at Annja, who checked the blow and then stabbed into Vanya's stomach with the scalpel. The cut was superficial, but Vanya staggered back, clutching at her abdomen.

Vanya suddenly flew at Annja and the rush of energy toppled them back over the bed. The nightstand yielded to their body weight, splintering and breaking into pieces.

Jagged bits of wood scattered about them and Vanya raised herself up, grabbing one of the coa.r.s.e pieces. She brought it down on Annja's head.

Annja felt the impact and nearly lost consciousness. But she fought back against the rising tide of blackness, punching at Vanya and scoring a direct hit on the older woman's face.

Vanya's nose cracked and a stream of blood shot out, staining an already slick floor.

Annja tried to stand but her head throbbed. I can't take much more of this, she thought.

For a moment, her vision wavered and then Annja sank to the floor. She closed her eyes and prayed that she would see the sword. She needed it now.

The sword materialized in her mind's eye. She grabbed it and opened her eyes just in time to see Vanya rus.h.i.+ng at her with everything she had.

Annja slid back down against the wall, the sword held up in front of her.

Vanya's eyes locked onto the blade and then, with a scream, she slipped on the b.l.o.o.d.y floor and pitched onto the blade.

Annja felt a sickening lurch as Vanya's body hit the tip. There was a moment of tension and then Vanya's body slid down the blade, coming to rest on the floor at Annja's feet.

”You want the sword?” Annja said. ”Now you've got it.”

Annja slumped back against the wall and realized that the world hurt a whole lot more than she'd ever been willing to admit.

The door to her room flew open.

”Annja!”

Annja raised a hand weakly. ”Here.”

Garin's bulk rushed in and Annja couldn't believe how happy she was to see him.

”Are you all right?” he asked.

”What are you saying? I look like c.r.a.p?”

Garin eyed Vanya. ”I wondered if anyone might try to make an attempt on your life. I went to find the nurse who was acting strangely.”

”Tuk said you were checking her out.”

”I was. But not in the way you think.” He looked over Vanya's body. ”She had some fight in her, didn't she?”

”Almost too much,” Annja said.

Garin stepped outside and called for a doctor. When he came back in, he knelt by Annja and looked at her arm. ”This is going to take a while to heal.”

”Great.”

”Just can't stay out of the fights, can you?” He smiled at her and, despite feeling like death, Annja grinned back.

She heard a commotion out in the hallway. ”Doctors are coming,” she said.

Garin nodded. ”Yeah, and you might want to put that blade away before anyone sees it.”

Annja nodded. ”Good point.” The sword vanished.