Zein's Point of View
I followed his lead while he protected me. It was amazing how he could take down armed men with nothing but a knife and sheer agility. My eyes drifted shut as blood soaked my arm again; the loss was draining me. Supremo didn't notice—he was too busy fighting.
Seeing him so out of breath broke my heart. When my legs started to give out, I gasped. This stupid weakness couldn't win. I didn't want him to worry. As he approached, I tucked my left arm behind my back.
"Are you good?" he asked, catching his breath while taking my hand. I nodded. "Let's go."
Suddenly, my dreams flashed before my eyes. I was the girl in the dream, holding his hand. Panic set in as I remembered what happened next. One more step and the world spun. I fell to my knees.
"Zein—shit!"
I couldn't hide the bleeding anymore. His jaw clenched as he reached for me.
"Hey," I stopped him. "I can still walk. Let's just rest for a few minutes."
"No. I'm carrying you—"
"Please."
He helped me sit, and I rested my head on his shoulder. Silence swallowed the woods. "Supremo?" I whispered, heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry, Ace."
"You have nothing to be sorry for."
After a moment, I pulled myself up. "I'm good now."
He chuckled and helped me to my feet. "I need to get you to the medical team."
"Medical team? At the clinic?"
He winked. "I'm not named Ace without having one up my sleeve, darling."
Predictably, we were surrounded again. Supremo wiped blood off his cheek, looking like he actually enjoyed the fight.
"There are a lot of them," I worried.
"I can kill them all for you. Darling, give me a reason... and I won't let myself be killed."
"I want to be with you outside of this hell," I whispered. "As Ace Craige."
He brushed his lips against my forehead. "Consider it granted."
I grabbed his jaw and claimed his lips in a quick, heartfelt kiss. "Please be safe."
"Close your eyes," he smirked, fire in his eyes. "I'll make this quick."
Nicky's Point of View
Damn! I didn't think there'd be this many of them. I'd run out of bullets before that bitch ran out of men.
"Are you okay?" Nazzer asked. I rolled my eyes. He was the one with a bullet in his shoulder.
Once I cleared the immediate wave, I pointed my gun at him. "Stop staring or I'll pull the trigger."
He smirked. I fired a shot—not at him, but at the enemy creeping up behind him.
"What the fuck is your problem?!" I yelled. He caught my arm and pulled me close.
"I think I'm dying..." he whispered. "They don't have the cure. The poison is taking over."
"Then die!" I pushed him away, but as I passed a broken mirror, I saw myself splattered in blood. I was smiling. Like a bitch. I shot the mirror.
"Don't run away!" Nazzer blocked my path. "What about us? Is this a pretend game too?"
"Of course," I lied.
"Fuck you, Nicky." He pulled me into a hug, caging me in. "I'm not letting you go. You have to love me too."
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out. Nazzer slumped against me and slid to the ground. Rage exploded. I fired until my gun was empty, then took the dead man's gun and emptied that too. I rushed back to Nazzer, tears blurring my vision. "Nazzer! Open your eyes! I love you..."
"I love you too, bitch."
He opened his eyes with a blinding smile. I went to punch him, but he pulled me into a kiss that wasn't for show. It was everything I needed.
Zein's Point of View
"Stay there!" Supremo shouted. He only had a knife against their guns. It wasn't fair. My lips trembled. I ran to him and pulled him into a hug.
"Darling, your wound..." he whispered before falling to the ground. A bullet had grazed him. He was exhausted, bleeding, and vulnerable.
A murderous rage took over. "Close your eyes, Supremo," I demanded. "Trust me."
"I trust you more than I trust myself," he said, handing me his knife.
I rose to my feet. "Who the hell shot him?"
"Me! Why?!" one laughed.
I hurled the knife straight into his forehead. I dove for his gun, rolling and firing. I picked off their legs, then stood and finished the rest. All credits to my sister, Allison Shion. When the last man fell, my knees gave out. Before I hit the dirt, Ace's arms were around my waist.
"That's my girl," he whispered.
"What a nice scene..."
Madame Violet appeared, guns aimed at us, backed by dozens of men. "Give me the girl, Supremo, and you're free."
"No," Supremo growled.
"Surrender her for everyone's peace," she demanded. "One..."
"Darling, run," Ace whispered.
"Two..."
I was ready to give myself up to save him, but he gripped my hand. "If you're planning to go with them to save me... I won't let you."
"Stop blubbering and give her up, Mr. Raze Silvenia," Violet shouted.
I froze. Raze Silvenia? Who was she talking about?
"You thought you could fool us?" she laughed. "We know you and Raze Silvenia are one and the same."
Supremo's lips curved into a mockingly surprised grin. I smiled.
He is not Raze Silvenia.