The realization dawned on the assassin far too late.
As it turned out, Thalia had intentionally positioned her body behind the broad face of her shield so that she could hide her movements.
Knowing he would try to snake around her guard the moment she got close, she had let go of the shield at the very last second.
The shield kept sailing forward through the air, carried by her forward momentum and making it seem as Thalia was still behind it.
But she had already peeled away, rounding around the opposite side of the shield to come up directly behind the robed figure.
The dagger-wielder didn't even have time to turn his head before the heiress of Theosbane swung her cruciform sword with enough brutality to put a butcher to shame.
—CRACK!
