KAEL'S POV
The blade dropped.
I didn't think — I twisted. My shoulder burned as I shoved hard against his grip, forcing the point just off-center. It scraped along my ribs instead of plunging deep, the shock of metal on bone rattling my teeth.
He swore, low and savage, and shoved harder, trying to drive it back toward my heart.
Ayla moved.
Her shadow lunged across the narrow space, steel flashing low. I felt the vibration of her strike travel through him into me as her blade bit into his side. His hiss was sharp, almost like he was laughing, but it broke into a grunt when I slammed my forehead into his jaw.
The dagger clattered once against stone, spinning away.
I didn't have time to look for it. I was already surging up, grabbing a fistful of his coat and driving my knee into his chest. He staggered, but his hand shot out, tangling in Ayla's hair, jerking her forward hard enough that she lost her footing.
I caught her wrist before she could fall. "Behind me!"
