If he was arming the boy, he knew he couldn’t protect him.
“Do you think they’re here to take or kill me?” If it was the former, I’d give myself over now. It was the only chance I had to spare them both. Harthon might actually murder me, but his threat paled in comparison to this.
“They wouldn’t be able to smuggle you out from the center of the Citadel.”
Kill, then.
“Is this really happening?” I breathed, because…howcouldit be? We were in the heart of the damn Citadel.
“Now really isn’t the time to doubt your senses.”
“Not doubting my senses. Just the likelihood of this.” My body vibrated as adrenaline took control.You might be dead in a minute.“Should we yell for help?”
A quick shake of his head. “Anyone who hears will think it’s noise from the training grounds.” His boyish face was all fierce angles and determination.
“Don’t you dare give your life for me, Stefano,” I demanded. “If there’s an opportunity to run, go.”
Stefano didn’t respond, just lifted both daggers in front of him. The looter boy began to slink away on his belly, creating space between us so he wouldn’t be trampled.
Twenty paces. Fifteen. When they came close enough to see the apathy in their eyes, Stefano’s right hand swooped low. A flash of steel cut through the air and disappeared in the center of the nearest torso. The man stumbled back, a grunt emanating from his throat that was far too quiet for the pain he should have felt.
None of his companions bothered to check on their fallen comrade. Nor did they continue their slow and steady pace.
Instead, they charged us.
No way could Stefano defend against four of them at once.
Defying his orders, I bolted to the right, away from the shelter of his back. As I’d hoped, two changed their trajectory for me, just as the clash of blades and blunt impacts of flesh on flesh broke the garden’s quiet.
I looked back in horror as an edge sliced across Stefano’s arm, an arc of blood spraying into the air.
I’d never seen him struck in a fight.
I sprinted toward the far wall, knowing I stood no chance if my two pursuers attacked me at once. I likely stood no chance against one of them alone, not if they were able to land a blow on Stefano.
Survive until he can help you.
A shitty plan, but the only one that might work.
Arms pumping hard, I pushed to maintain the distance between me and my attackers. I was light and fast. They were muscled and heavy. My only advantage.
And then a sharp pain sliced deep into my side, obliterating that advantage with brutal efficiency. I stumbled, gasping, as I watched a bloodied blade land in the grass before me.
They’d thrown a dagger at me.
They would throw more. Any second now.
Terror overrode pain. My body kept moving at its frantic pace, but it wouldn’t be good enough. I needed to do more than just run, or the next dagger wouldn’t just slice me.
Think, Etarla.
I couldn’t attack them. Couldn’t outrun their knives. But I could make them mess up.
Adjusting my trajectory, I aimed for a strip of wet soil beneath freshly watered plants. I soared over the soaked earth, then cut a hard left just as they came upon that very spot. Without stopping, I glanced back to see one of the men skid in the wet dirt as he tried to follow my change in direction. The other didn’t slip, but at least their pursuit was staggered now.
Far away, Stefano was still a flurry of movement with his two attackers.
I needed to find something else in this garden to use. The trees? Maybe the—
