Page 116 of The Commons

“She’ll die in three seconds,” Londe threatens.

Urgh! I know I should be worried, but all I can think of is Pesh, not of my own life.

In this moment, all I can think of is how to save him. But he, just like me, is ready to die for me as long as he is sure of my survival.

“I... Can... Tell... You...” Pesh struggles to speak, grabbing the floor.

Patron De Londe signals for Shay to wait.

Pesh inches closer to Patron De Londe, muscles shaking. “It’s with Doctor Val.”

In shock, Patron De Londe gasps. “Doctor Val?”

“Seems you’re not the only one with spies,” Pesh whispers.

Subtly, unbeknownst to Londe, Pesh grabs the dagger I slid behind the elevators. Just as he aims, Londe turns, his veins catching fire, looking down to see—it.

The dagger. In Pesh’s hands.

Enraged, his eyes fly up to Pesh’s burning glare, his bones contracting to attack.

Too late.

He stills with a pained gasp, realizing Pesh has struck the dagger right into his stomach. “No—” he cries out, eyes widening to see his blood spilling across the stone cold floor. He grips his stomach as his body crashes to the ground like a meteorite to the earth.

And as he roars, Pesh’s eyes dim.

The sun fades. The moon vanishes. And Pesh faints.

My veins erupt in shock as everything in me rages.

No! Pesh! No! A guttural scream rips from my throat as Pesh lies unconscious on the cold, dark floor.

My eyes fly to see Shay is distracted, glaring at Londe in shock.

I use the opportunity to strike the idiot in the groin. And just as he loses control, I wrench the sword from his hands, hurling a dark wooden table to block his path. In his stagger, he reaches for the sword, so I let go, launching it to strike his blasted palms.

He jerks back with a screeching hiss, giving me the space to escape. In that instant, I sprint, my heart in my throat, my lungs burning, my soul panting.

“Peshhh!” I exclaim, sprinting toward him.

I fall to the ground, holding onto Pesh’s unconscious body. Please, please, please…

Terrified and unsure of what to do, I pull him away from Patron De Londe, who is yowling in pain, struggling to move.

“No, no, no, no, no!” I wail in uncontrollable grief, screaming, “Don’t go, please don’t go!” I beg, overwhelmed with sadness.

Sobbing overtakes me as I hold my Pesh, hoping he wakes up for me. But… he does not. My heart is grief-stricken, and I feel like I have been torn in two.

The world around me blurs as Shay runs to help Beatrice, who is struggling under the chandelier lights. I look down at Pesh and up to Shay, who is now pre-occupied with Beatrice.

This is it. Our opportunity to escape!

I hook my arms under Pesh and pull. Nothing. Crap!

I strain to lift him, but he collapses back to the ground.

I try again with everything in me. My muscles shake, burning, tearing. I can do this!