The Assassin's Blade

"Stay here," Enzo whispered to Elara. "Stay hidden."

"No," Elara hissed back, pulling a slender stiletto from her boot. "I'm not a damsel, Enzo. I'm a Vance."

Enzo looked at her, pride warring with fear in his eyes. "Fine. Watch my back. On three."

"One. Two. Three."

Enzo surged from beneath the table, overturning it with a crash. He caught the first assassin by surprise, parrying a sword thrust and delivering a pommel strike to the man’s temple.

The library erupted into chaos.

Elara stayed low, using the stacks for cover. She was a strategist, not a duelist. She watched the patterns. The second assassin was circling left, aiming for Enzo’s exposed flank.

"Enzo, left!" she screamed.

Enzo ducked just as a blade sheared through the air where his head had been. He spun, his rapier flashing, engaging the second man in a flurry of steel.

But they had missed the third.

He came from the shadows behind Elara. She sensed him a second too late. A heavy hand clamped over her mouth, dragging her backward. She slashed with her stiletto, catching his arm, but he was wearing chainmail under his tunic.

"Got her!" the assassin shouted.

Enzo turned, distracted. "Elara!"

The momentary lapse was all the second assassin needed. He kicked Enzo hard in the chest, sending him crashing into a bookshelf. Books rained down, burying him.

"We have the leverage," the leader growled. "Valenti! Surrender, or we slit her throat right here among the encyclopedias."

Enzo struggled to rise, blood trickling from a cut on his forehead. He looked at Elara, held tight in the assassin’s grip, a knife pressed to her jugular.

He dropped his sword.

"Let her go," Enzo said, holding up his hands.

"Not a chance," the assassin sneered. "She comes with us. Insurance. You will show up to the wedding tomorrow, Valenti. You will say your vows. And once the ring is on Giulia’s finger, we will release your little pet."

Enzo took a step forward, his eyes burning with helpless rage.

"If you hurt her," Enzo said, his voice dropping to a terrifying whisper, "I will burn this city to the ground."

"Be at the chapel at noon," the assassin said. "Or she dies."

They dragged Elara backward into the shadows. She caught one last glimpse of Enzo, broken and bleeding amidst the fallen books, before a bag was shoved over her head.