The cacophony of the market was deafening. People pushed past each other, desperate to flee the sudden chaos, but in the midst of it all, Aria stood frozen, eyes locked on Sable. The agent’s gaze was sharp and predatory, and as she stepped forward, the throng of people seemed to part before her, like the sea before a storm.

“Aria, move!” Evelyn’s voice snapped her out of the trance. Without hesitation, Aria sprinted, ducking between stalls and hurdling over crates, weaving through the confusion. Behind her, the rhythmic pounding of boots told her that Sable was close. Too close.

Sebastian was already engaging the agents, his movements fluid and precise, a blur of calculated strikes and swift footwork. He didn’t look back at Aria, but she knew he was fighting to protect her, to give her the time she needed to get to safety.

As Aria veered around a corner, she caught sight of a narrow alley that led deeper into the heart of the city, a place where the lamplight barely reached and the cobblestones were slick with rain. She slipped into the shadows, pressing her back against the cool wall as footsteps thudded past.

“Sable’s on the hunt,” Taron’s voice crackled through her earpiece. “You need to keep moving. We’ve got eyes on the square, but she’s already tracking you.”

Aria’s pulse surged as she followed the instructions, her feet silent as she darted through the maze of backstreets. The city seemed to hold its breath, the danger lurking just out of sight. Sable was close, and Aria could almost feel the icy fingers of the agent’s gaze tracing her path.

Sebastian’s fight with the Underkeep agents had reached a fever pitch. He moved with the practised ease of a master, each motion a dance of controlled power. He’d always known that this day would come, but facing the Underkeep and their elite agent felt like standing against the tide. He caught a glimpse of Evelyn, her expression fierce as she signalled to a group of allies positioned at the square’s edge. They were ready for the next phase.

A sudden movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. A figure in black, tall and fluid, was cutting through the crowd. Sebastian’s breath caught as he recognized Sable. She was closing in on their position, a predator scenting her prey.

“Aria,” Sebastian muttered, turning his focus to the alley where he last saw her. “Hold on.”

The alley was a labyrinth of stone and shadows. Aria moved quickly, guided only by the dim light of the moon and the muffled sound of her heartbeat in her ears. She darted into a hidden passage, one she’d used in childhood to escape trouble. It was tight, the stone walls pressing against her as she slipped through. She didn’t stop until she emerged into a smaller, hidden courtyard, a place she’d long forgotten but that now felt like salvation.

But salvation had a price. A shiver ran down her spine as Sable appeared at the entrance, her silhouette framed by the archway. The agent’s eyes were cold, and calculating, and her smile was a blade waiting to strike.

“Well, well,” Sable said, stepping forward. “I was hoping you’d be smarter than this, Aria Hale.”

Aria’s hands clenched into fists, but she kept her voice steady. “You’re too late. My friends are coming. You won’t win this.”

Sable’s smile widened, revealing a glint of amusement. “Oh, sweetheart, I don’t need to win. I just need you to make a choice.”

Before Aria could respond, a voice rang out from behind her. “Step away from her, Sable.”

Sebastian stood in the entrance, eyes blazing and muscles tense. He held a dagger in his right hand, the blade catching the moonlight like a shard of silver. Sable turned slowly, taking in Sebastian with a measured gaze.

“Ah, the hero,” she said, tilting her head. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened, but he took a step closer. “This ends now.”

Sable’s expression hardened, her gaze flicking to Aria and then back to Sebastian. “We’ll see about that.”

Without warning, she lunged, a blur of motion that left only the sound of a sharp intake of breath. Sebastian parried, twisting aside at the last moment, his blade clashing against Sable’s own. The force of the impact sent a jolt up his arm, but he didn’t flinch. He knew that this was a battle that couldn’t be won with just strength; it required strategy and precision.

Aria’s heart pounded as she watched the dance of combat unfold. She wanted to move, to help, but the memory of Evelyn’s voice rang in her ears: Stay hidden until the moment is right.

Sable’s strikes were swift and deadly, each move a testament to her skill. Sebastian met her blow for blow, using his agility to evade her most dangerous attacks. The two of them were locked in a brutal dance, blades flashing like lightning in the dark.

Then, without warning, Sebastian spun, knocking Sable’s dagger from her grasp. She stumbled, eyes narrowing as she assessed him.

“Impressive,” she admitted, her voice low. But before Sebastian could press the advantage, she vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only the echo of her laughter and the promise of more battles to come.

“Sebastian!” Aria shouted, breaking free from her frozen state and rushing forward.

Sebastian turned to her, eyes softening as he reached out. “You’re safe,” he said, his voice heavy with relief.

She looked at him, chest heaving, and whispered, “Not for long.”