Ember's attacker narrowed his eyes furiously before rearing back his hand to strike her.

All Ember could do was squeeze her eyes shut and steel herself from the blow.

When nothing happened, she opened her eyes cautiously and gasped at what she saw.

A cloaked man had snatched her attacker's throat and was holding it in a brutal grip.

The attacker's scarred mouth was open in a silent scream, a ...