I regain my footing and lunge forward, slashing at his torso. He nimbly jumps backward, my blade cutting nothing but the air in front of him. He yanks two knives from the sheaths on either side of his belt. I readjust my stance, watching his hands and his eyes, hoping he’s not as good with knives as I fear he might be. He begins to lift his blades, and I brace for his advance, but it doesn’t come. Instead, his eyes widen and his back arches unnaturally. I stare at him in confusion as a wet patch appears on the front of his black shirt. Blood.

The guard falls to his knees, dropping his blades, and there standing behind him is Ash.

“November,” Ash says with relief, immediately scanning me for injury.

Then Layla is at his side, and with their matching expressions they look unmistakably like twins.

The room is in complete chaos. Everywhere I look people are fighting to the death. Ines drops one guard with a kick to the throat and punches another. She moves with grace and self-assurance, like a petite ninja. And her shorn hair doesn’t diminish her flair; if anything she looks more badass than ever. Aarya’s no slouch, either. She’s got two knives and is slashing them through the air with remarkable speed.

Jag is watching them as well, his face twisting into a grimace. He grabs a knife from his belt and pulls his arm back, aiming it at Aarya. Ash follows my line of sight as I scream, “Aarya!”

Jag’s hand is extended, the knife already flying through the air. But Ines has seen him, too, and dives in front of her friend.

A look of horror washes over Aarya’s face as she realizes what’s happening. “No!” she screams. But it’s too late; Jag’s knife has lodged in Ines’s chest, a clean shot, a kill shot.

Ines slams back against Aarya, who wraps her arms around her friend, and together they slump to the ground. Ines’s face contorts with shock and pain.

Aarya rips off the sleeve of her own shirt, pressing the fabric around the knife wound. But there is so much blood that it’s soaked in seconds. Aarya stares at her fingers, covered in red, continuing to put pressure on the wound.

“I’m getting you out of here,” Aarya says, sliding an arm under Ines’s neck.

“No, Aarya,” Ines responds in a self-assured voice.

Aarya grips Ines firmly, lifting her slightly.

“Stop,” Ines commands, her voice strained, and Aarya does.

For a moment they just stare at each other. Aarya bites back tears, and Ines places a shaking hand over Aarya’s, squeezing her friend’s fingers as if to tell her not to worry.

“I…th-thank you,” Ines says, but her voice comes out gargled and her eyes struggle to stay focused.