Kasia's knuckles whitened around the handle of the butcher knife. Kenneth's voice broke the silence, each number of his countdown in this mocking tone made her stomach churn. She was not prey nor would she act like it.
"Five..."
She pressed her back against the cool metal of the sink, her breath coming in short, controlled bursts. 'Focus, Kasia. You've trained for this. You can handle this,' she thought but doubt was creeping in.
"Four..."
Her hazel eyes darted frantically again around the kitchen. But she knew better. She knew there was only one way in and one way out in this kitchen. It was just her and the knife. It would have to do.
"Three..."
'How did it come to this?' The thought flashed through her mind, unbidden. Kasia never would have thought she would be cornered by a werewolf. She was better than this.
"Two..."
"One..."
The final number hung in the air. Kasia's heart pounded in her ears, drowning out everything else. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
"I know what you're thinking, Kasia," Kenneth's voice growled as he pushed the door to the kitchen open. "You're wondering if you can hold me off long enough to deliver a fatal blow. You won't be able to."
Kasia's jaw clenched. "Stay back," she responded, her voice low and dangerous.
A dark chuckle echoed through the kitchen. "Or what? You'll stab me with that little knife? We both know it won't be enough."
"I've killed your kind before," Kasia spat, her voice steady despite the rapid thrum of her heart. "I'll do it again."
"Oh, Kasia." Kenneth's tone dripped with mock pity. "Still clinging to that delusion, are you? You didn't kill my kind. You killed your kind."
"Enough riddles!" she snarled. "I don't care about your games or your truths. You're a monster, and I'll end you."
"And what does that make you?" Kenneth's grin widened, showing his canines. "You're no saint. You've killed innocents."
Her jaw tightened. "No, I killed monsters. Wolves like you who murdered and destroyed families."
"Is that what they told you?" Kenneth's voice turned almost gentle, a coaxing tone that sent shivers down her spine. "Lies are easy when they serve a purpose, to control. You were always just a weapon, Kasia."
For a fleeting moment, doubt flickered in her mind, but she pushed it aside. "You don't know me," she snapped. "And I'm no one's weapon."
"But you already are," he replied, his voice suddenly much closer. "You have been from the fateful day your parents died."
"Enough! Stop talking," Kasia snapped.
"You can't win this fight, Kasia," Kenneth said as he slowly approached the island. "But I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to show you the truth."
For a moment, doubt crept into Kasia's mind. But she pushed it away, focusing on the hatred that had driven her for so long. She couldn't let him get inside her head.
"You underestimate me," she shot back, her voice steadier than she felt. "I won't let you try to confuse me. I know what is going on. I know the Hunters lied. I don't need you rubbing it in."
Kenneth's smile widened, revealing a flash of elongated canines. "And yet, you still fight against the idea that you killed innocents. Tell me, Kasia, did you even do your own investigation before you went out and killed like the little attack dog that you are? Don't you want to know the truth?"
A flicker of uncertainty passed through Kasia's mind, but she pushed it aside. "The only truth I need to know is at the edge of this blade," she growled.
Kenneth took another step forward, his movements fluid and unnaturally graceful. "Oh, but there's so much more, little hunter. So many lies you've been fed."
Kasia's heart pounded in her chest, a frantic rhythm that threatened to drown out all other sounds. She mirrored his steps, keeping the island between them, a flimsy barrier.
"You can't dance forever, Kasia," Kenneth purred, his eyes never leaving hers.
In a blur of motion, Kenneth vaulted over the island, his speed catching Kasia off-guard. She swung the knife instinctively, but he batted her arm aside as if swatting a fly. The blade whistled harmlessly through the air.
"Too slow," Kenneth taunted, his voice a low growl.
Kasia's mind raced. 'He's toying with me,' she thought in anger. Kasia ducked under his grasp, using her smaller frame to her advantage. She aimed a sharp elbow at his solar plexus.
Kenneth grunted, more surprised than hurt. "There's that fire I love," he sneered.
Kasia grabbed a frying pan from the counter, swinging it with all her might. It connected with Kenneth's jaw with a satisfying clang.
"Love this?" Kasia spat, following up with a swift kick to his knee.
Kenneth stumbled, but recovered quickly. His eyes flashed dangerously. "Oh, I do," he growled, lunging forward. Kasia barely dodged, feeling his claws graze her arm.
"You can't win this, Kasia," Kenneth said, circling her again. "Why exhaust yourself?"
"Because giving up isn't in my nature," Kasia retorted, her breath coming in short gasps. She feinted left, then drove her knee upwards, aiming for his groin.
Kenneth twisted, avoiding the worst of the blow. "Neither is it in mine," he snarled, grabbing her wrist and yanking her close.
Kasia's fist connected with Kenneth's jaw, the impact sending a jolt through her arm. His head snapped back, eyes widening in genuine surprise. For a split second, the smug amusement vanished from his face, replaced by a flash of respect.
"Not bad, I was not expecting this," Kenneth growled, rubbing his jaw.
Kasia's chest heaved, a mixture of adrenaline and defiance coursing through her veins. "I'm full of surprises," she spat, readying herself for his next move.
Kenneth's lips curled into a snarl, all pretense of playfulness gone. He lunged forward, his hand closing around Kasia's wrist before she could react. With a sharp twist, he forced her to release the frying pan.
The clatter of iron on the tile echoed through the kitchen as Kasia gasped in pain. "Bastard," she hissed through gritted teeth.
"Such language doesn't become you," Kenneth taunted, using his superior strength to pin her against the counter. His body pressed against hers, trapping her effectively.
"Get your hands off me," she snarled, struggling against his grip.
Kenneth leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. "Make me," he whispered, his voice a mixture of challenge and dark desire.