The remaining guards didn't hesitate. The moment their point man crumpled with a hollow thud, a chaotic symphony of gunfire erupted, tearing the air apart.

"Move!" Kaelen roared, his voice cutting through the deafening barrage of automatic weapon fire.

Seraphina didn't need to be told twice. She

"Thorne. Hey. Open your eyes, Thorne!"

Seraphina slapped Kaelen’s cheek, her palm leaving a smear of red across his pale skin. He groaned, his eyelids fluttering as a harsh, wet cough wracked his chest.

"Don't touch me," he rasped, though there was no heat in his voice. He tried to swat her hand

"No," Seraphina whispered, her weapon trembling. "No, that's... that's not possible."

Julian smiled, drawing a silver revolver from his jacket and pressing the barrel directly against the girl's temple.

"Surprise, my queen," Julian whispered maliciously. "Drop the gun, or your supposedly dead sis