TWICE MARKED

CHAPTER FIVE

THE TRIAL CHAMBER

The trial chamber was colder than I remembered. My breath came out in short, sharp gasps as I crept along the dark halls, my steps light but quick as I followed the guards dragging Luca. My heart raced, each second slipping through my fingers like sand.

I couldn’t let them take him to that room. That room was death.

I moved faster, gripping the dagger tightly in my palm. I didn’t know what I could do against trained warriors, but I would rather die trying than watch Darius kill Luca.

The guards reached the heavy double doors of the chamber and shoved them open. They dragged Luca inside, his chains clinking loudly in the silence.

I slipped through the shadows, sliding behind the tall pillars lining the walls. I watched as Darius entered from the opposite side, his steps slow and cruel, as if he had all the time in the world.

“You’ve caused quite a mess, rogue,” Darius said, circling Luca like a wolf hunting his prey.

Luca didn’t flinch. “Your grip on power is slipping if you’re wasting time with me.”

Darius’s smile was sharp. “Brave words for a man in chains.”

I scanned the room quickly. There were two guards near the doors, another by the weapons rack, and Jaxon standing near Darius, his face unreadable. I wondered if he had really changed sides or if he was still unsure.

I had one dagger. I would need more.

My eyes landed on a second blade resting on a nearby table. I could get to it, but I would need a distraction.

“Bring her,” Darius ordered.

I froze as two guards left the chamber. They were going to get me.

They would find my empty cell.

I had to move now.

As soon as the guards disappeared, I slipped closer, staying in the shadows, my breathing shallow.

Darius raised his hand. “Prepare him. We’ll begin the execution when Amy arrives.”

The remaining guards shoved Luca to his knees, forcing his head down.

I couldn’t wait. I rushed forward, grabbing the second blade in a swift motion and hurling it across the room.

It struck the guard near Luca in the shoulder, making him cry out and stumble back.

Luca snapped into action, swinging his chained arms into the other guard, knocking him off balance.

“Amy!” Luca shouted as he broke free, twisting his wrists hard enough to snap the weak chain links.

Darius’s head whipped around, his eyes locking onto me.

“Seize her!” he roared.

Jaxon stepped in front of me, blocking the guards. “Don’t touch her.”

“Jaxon?” I whispered, shocked.

“Move, Jaxon!” Darius barked.

“No,” Jaxon said firmly. “I believe her now." She was telling the truth. I’ve seen enough.”

Darius’s rage exploded. “You’ll regret this.”

Luca grabbed a fallen sword and tossed it to me. I caught it awkwardly, but my grip was firm.

“Let’s go,” Luca said urgently.

“No,” I replied, my eyes burning with fire. “We end this here.”

Jaxon stepped beside me. “Together.”

Darius growled, his claws extending. “Kill them all!”

Guards rushed at us from every side.

I charged forward, slashing at the nearest guard, my muscles moving by pure instinct. Luca fought fiercely beside me, and Jaxon held the left side, protecting my back.

The three of us fought like a storm, but there were too many.

I blocked a strike from a tall warrior, then spun and slashed his thigh, dropping him to his knees. Luca took down another with a swift punch to the jaw and a clean stab to the gut.

Jaxon’s blade moved like fire, fast and sharp, cutting through the guards who dared come near us. His loyalty wasn’t fake. He was fighting for me now.

Still, they kept coming.

“Head for the side door!” Luca shouted.

We pushed toward the side exit, cutting through the chaos. Just as we reached the door, Darius appeared in front of us, blocking the way.

His eyes glowed with pure hatred. “You will not leave this room alive.”

“Watch me,” I snarled.

We clashed.

Darius was fast, but I wasn’t the same girl he once controlled. I blocked his strikes, swinging my sword with everything I had.

His blows were heavy, and each one pushed me back. My ribs burned when he landed a hard punch, sending me crashing into the wall.

“Amy!” Luca and Jaxon shouted together.

Darius raised his claws for the final blow.

I rolled away just in time, but I dropped my sword.

I scrambled to grab it, but Darius kicked it across the room.

I was defenseless.

Darius stepped over me, his claws dripping.

“Goodbye, little mate,” he whispered.

I braced for the strike.

But suddenly, a sharp blade pierced through his chest from behind.

Darius gasped, looking down in shock.

Jaxon stood behind him, his hands shaking, the blade buried deep.

“Stay away from my sister,” Jaxon hissed.

Darius stumbled back, blood pouring from his mouth.

But he didn’t fall.

His smile returned, twisted and cruel. “You think this will kill me?”

He yanked the blade out and roared, his power exploding around us.

The entire room shook. The air crackled with dark energy as Darius’s wounds sealed themselves in seconds.

Luca grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet. “We have to go. Now.”

Jaxon looked torn. “If we run, he will follow.”

“We can’t beat him right now,” I said, my voice tight with frustration. “Not like this. I need to be stronger.”

“She’s right,” Luca added. “We’ll come back for him.”

Jaxon hesitated, then nodded. “Follow me. I know another way out.”

We sprinted through the side corridor, Jaxon leading the way as Darius’s furious roar echoed behind us.

The guards tried to block our path, but Jaxon cut them down swiftly, his movements sharp and precise.

We burst through a hidden door that led outside to the training grounds. It was quiet for now.

“There’s a tunnel that leads to the forest,” Jaxon said, breathless. “We used it as kids.”

“Perfect,” Luca said, gripping my hand tighter.

We ran, dodging patrols, until we reached the entrance to the tunnel, an old stone passage hidden behind a broken fence.

Just as we reached it, Darius appeared again, faster than I thought possible.

“You can’t outrun me,” he growled, his claws gleaming in the moonlight.

I stepped forward, raising my sword again, my hands steady this time. “We’re not running. We’re buying time.”

Darius smirked. “You’ll never win.”

“Watch me.”

Luca and Jaxon flanked me as Darius charged.

Our blades clashed again in a final desperate push.

But then, suddenly, the ground beneath us trembled and cracked open, sending all of us falling into darkness.

I screamed as the world vanished around me.

Everything went black.