Julien grabbed his jaw with both hands, tasting blood in his mouth.
He stumbled backwards into Kyle's chest while trying to process what just happened.
Aiden was already pulling his left arm hard against the iron chains, acting completely feral and totally ready to throw another heavy punch despite his severe injuries.
'This guy hits like a truck,' Julien thought to himself, shaking his head to clear the dizzy spell.
'I just saved him from a permanent dirt nap, and this is the thanks I get.'
"Wait, stop right there!" Julien yelled out loud, holding his hands up defensively to block another incoming swing.
"We know Alice! Alice sent us here to find you!"
Aiden froze completely in place.
His bloody fist was literally an inch away from Kyle's drawn sword.
The wild, cornered animal look in his eyes instantly vanished, quickly replaced by shock and confusion.
"Alice?" Aiden rasped, his voice sounding exactly like dry sandpaper scraping across wood.
"My sister? You know her?"
