Rosie limped through the dark forest, her right leg bleeding. She had lost Tina during their fight with Dante's followers. The moon shone bright overhead but brought little comfort.
"Tina!" she called, her voice swallowed by the night. No answer came.
A twig snapped behind her. Rosie spun around, claws ready.
"Easy," came a familiar voice. "It's just me."
Markus stepped from the shadows, his face streaked with dirt and blood. Rosie's heart leaped at the sight of him, but she quickly pushed those feelings down.
"What are you doing here? You should be at the ceremony protecting Aurora," she growled.
Markus moved closer. "The ceremony is over. The First Gate was there, not in the mountains. Marcus was the traitor."
"Marcus?" Rosie's eyes widened. "But he survived the attack with us!"
"He planned it all." Markus touched her wounded arm gently. "We need to get you back. You're hurt."
Rosie pulled away. "Not until we find Tina."
