"Arin sends his regards," she hissed, her voice sharp and angry. "Kaley, guard Arden and the tablet! Arden, make sure it's safe! Rayne!"
Her voice cracked like a whip, cutting through the sudden rush of adrenaline.
Rayne had already pulled out his own sword, a fine longsword from Valendale. His face was set in a mask of cold anger. Hearing his traitorous brother's name in this lonely place made a fierce rage burn inside him.
"West side!" he shouted, confirming Reyes's warning. "They're surrounding us!"
Chaos erupted. The deep quiet of the ruins shattered with the sound of clashing metal, the harsh cries of the Shadow Clan, and the surprised shouts of the Elysian and Valendale knights.
Reyes and his knight were already fighting near the entrance they had used, their swords ringing against the assassins' curved, sharp daggers.
