The guard’s eyes flick from me to the king. “There’s a back way out of the hospital where a car should be waiting,” the guard says. “I can get him to it so long as the enemy isn’t waiting there to ambush us.”

Having been in communication with the Resistance for so long, I know how these groups work. They probably jumped on the unusual opportunity to attack the king while he was in a vulnerable position. It’s a toss up whether they know the layout of the place or not.

“I’ll go first,” I say to the guard. “You’ll have to navigate.”

“No.” Montes’s hand falls heavily on my shoulder, like he’s considering physically restraining me.

“My queen,” the guard says, “it’s my job to protect you too.”

The sound of gunfire is getting closer.

“If the king dies, the world will be leaderless when we need one the most.” I shouldn’t be worrying about the king’s death. He can’t be killed. But I’ve seen him bleed just as easily as I do and watched him take medications like any other person might. I am beginning to think the Undying King isn’t quite so resilient as he might have me believe.

“Serenity—” Montes begins.

I swivel to face him. “I’ll be fi—”

The king shoves a gun into my hand, and for a beat I stare dumbly at it. I hadn’t even realized the king was carrying.

“Don’t hesitate to use it,” he says.

My fingers curl around the weapon, and I nod. I open the door wider and pull Montes out with me.

To the king and the guard I’m sure I look resolute. That’s not how I feel. Inside I’m battling years of conditioning. Two months ago, I would’ve used this opportunity to assist those who are attacking us. Now I am protecting the very person I once hated.

“Where do we go?” I ask.

The guard points down the hall, and we begin to trot. We pass the nurses’ station, which is now abandoned.

The sound of gunfire is moving, but I can’t tell where it’s coming from.

At some point the guard yells, “Stop!”

I halt and turn to him and the king. The guard pulls out a key and inserts it into a door that blends into the wall.

My eyes move to Montes. He looks surprisingly calm, and I have to wonder how often he’s been in this situation. As for me, I’m breathing heavily, but I feel exhilarated.

The guard opens the door and beckons us through. I enter first and glance around. It’s a stairwell.

“The car is down two floors,” the guard says.