“Wait— Where are you going?” Cyrus shouted. “We had a deal— Under no circumstances were you allowed to run away—” We had a deal. The words rang in his head, over and over, each syllable striking his mind like a scythe, drawing blood. By the angels, how many more blows need his body survive tonight? “I must,” she cried, the agitated crowd leaping apart to let her pass. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but I have to leave— I need to find somewhere to hide, somewhere he won’t—” At once Alizeh doubled over, as if struck by an invisible force, and was promptly jerked upward, into the air. She screamed.
