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The unmistakable clang of metal hitting metal sounded a moment later, and I hoped it was enough to free him.

Then Captain Rekker was on me. I jumped back, balancing on the edge of the walkway with nimble feet. Heights and balance were my specialty, and I knew I would remain out of his reach, but for how long I didn’t know.

He swiped and I dodged and danced, barely keeping ahead of his movements. When he feinted, I fell for it and his clawed fingers dug into the skin of my back and sliced downward. I screamed as pain exploded down my back. Blood trickled down, soaking my tunic in moments.

Captain Rekker began to laugh, a triumphant sound that made my heart sink.

Thwack!

The sound made me forget about the pain for a second as I watched Einri charge Captain Rekker with a bellow that I swore would be heard in the whole kingdom. A whistle drew my attention and I glanced to see Brex waving at me, flinging her arms then pointing at the barrels behind her.

It took me a moment to think through the pain but once I figured out what she wanted, I pushed it aside and drew an arrow. I put the end of the arrow into a nearby torch and it ignited without much coaxing. I drew the string to my cheek, biting my lip to endure the pain and released it.

My arrow hit its mark. Nothing happened for three heartbeats then the world exploded.