The door burst open. The guards were finally there.
Too late.
Daisy was already moving, claws ready, eyes wild, ready to destroy her last enemy.
Suddenly, their attention drifted.
Smoke, thick, choking and nasty hit Cassie’s nose all at once.
Screaming broke out below. The sky was suddenly on fire, orange tongues clawing up from the courtyard.
The guards didn't see anyone in the room. The screams alerted them.
“Fire! The courtyard is burning!” The guards outside Cassie’s door freeze, jittery, their eyes darting between the hallway and her.
“Go!” roared their captain. “Drop everything! Move!”
Off they went, stomping down the hall, boots pounding like a drum line. Just like that, Cassie was left alone with Daisy.
“Perfect timing,” Daisy said, stepping back, all cool and casual, a
