The bullet slammed into Etzli's chest, knocking her out of the bed.

Paras's dagger clattered and skipped across the floor.

Benja pressed his hand against the wall. With tears in his eyes, he shook his head over and over.

"I'm so sorry, Etzli. This was the only way. I couldn't risk you losing control."

Benja stared at his pistol, gold-plated with bone-white grips. It had been given to him when he earned his place as an ...