Page 200 of Black Reign

Then chaos.

Fast.

Controlled.

Not shouting.

That frightens them more.

Men who know what they're doing rarely need to yell.

The older man grabs my arm and pulls me upright.

A weapon presses against my ribs.

The door bursts inward.

Everything happens at once.

Black clothing.

Movement.

Someone hits the floor.

The weapon disappears from my side.

An arm locks around me and drags me backward.

I fight on instinct.

“Sabine.”

I freeze.

Not because of the name.

The voice.

I've never heard it before.

Not aloud.

But I know him.

Every part of me knows him.

I turn.

Xavier Blackwell stands behind me.

For one impossible second, neither of us moves.

No screen.

No code.

No disguise.