"NO," Thomas shouted, "Leave her alone!"

"Don't you fucking dare," Archer yelled.

One of Faust's men clocked him hard in the head with the butt of his gun. Another shot Thomas in the thigh. Thomas fell to his knees and bellowed, more enraged than pained. Archer stumbled backward but somehow stayed standing, his everlasting supply of inner strength surely the only thing fueling him.

My stomach shifted higher to my throat. Tears froze to my face, but I ...