Still anchored to Antoine’s body, Jade fell, the wound on her shoulder a throbbing ache that occupied most of her consciousness. After he shot her, she deflected the next hit aimed at her leg by wrenching his wrist until the gun pointed at his chest instead.

The Academy wanted her alive to be publicly punished, and while Antoine had aimed to incapacitate her, she didn’t hesitate when she pressed her fingers over his to release the trigger. The shock at seeing Antoine—her training partner for many years—hovering a few meters above the terrace, immediately transformed into rage.

The wind whistled against her ears as she hurtled toward the chasm, head down. How many times had she practiced the conjoined fall with Antoine? Now, she couldn’t let go of him. His wings were her only means of survival, but her head spun and her hands couldn’t unfasten the harness.

If she didn’t succeed in freeing the wings from the uncooperative body and use them to fly away, she would be dead too, in seconds. The night was dark, and she couldn’t see past Antoine’s hood flapping around, but they were gaining speed and it wouldn’t be long before they reached the base of the cliff.

Forcing her mind to relax, she slipped into a meditation loop to leave behind the physical pain of the gaping wound in her shoulder. Blood already soaked her vest, but she ignored the throbbing. If she didn’t free the harness and take control of the wings in the next few heartbeats, they would be her last.

The vertical wall of the ridge flew by, floating lichens tangled in her cropped hair, the fresh scent of the river water rushing up.

Her fingers fumbled with the leather hooks on the back of Antoine’s vest. Water sprays wetted her face. She was plummeting too fast.

Jade channeled what remained of her strength to her arms before bringing her hands to the front and shoving at Antoine’s chest. The pain in her wounded shoulder exploded, and she pushed it away as if it were a physical obstacle, redoubling her efforts at displacing Antoine. After one last superhuman thrust, his body finally angled and his wings caught the current and spread, slowing her descent. It was enough to give her time to reposition her body and use Antoine’s as a shield against the incoming waters.

Even at a slowed-down velocity, the fluid surface of the river transformed into a solid slab. A cold wave surged at the impact that broke the corpse’s bones and gears alike. Jarred, Jade swallowed a mouthful of water before remembering to close her lips over her chattering teeth. Blood sloshed in her mouth from where she had cut herself. She hurt everywhere, but she was alive.

The churning foam swept everything away in its path and dragged the clockwork wings under. Antoine began sinking, pulling her down with him.

Ahead, the river raged in a misty cloud, and the sound of falling water crashing against rocks grew louder. Depending on the height, she might not survive the drop.

Jade let go of the body, scissoring her legs against the current. Her maimed shoulder resisted the movement, and she forced the pain away. Her hands reached out, looking for a jutting rock to anchor herself, but her grasping fingers slashed at empty water. The river sapped her strength fast, leaving her gasping for air as she tried to keep her head up. Her lungs soon burned as much as her legs.

Plans change. Assassins adapt, she reminded herself.

Dark blotches appeared before her eyes, compromising her already limited vision in the dark night. She gasped once. Water filled her mouth. She felt lightheaded. How much blood had she lost? Chilled to the bone, she fought the current, her feet heavy and already numbing. Once again, she focused on her mental exercises to center her mind and suppress her fear of drowning. An assassin wouldn’t be bested by a mere river, no matter how exhausted she was.

Arms and legs cut the current in strokes that weren’t strong enough or fast enough to take her to the other side of the bank. Several meters ahead of her, a low branch leaned into the water, thick in diameter and sturdy-looking, offering the first glimpse of hope. The current transported her tired body at a rapid pace, slowing her progress toward the solitary branch and at the same time rapidly moving her away. She stretched her arm, propelling her legs, fighting nature to reach the tree. Her shoulder couldn’t move any longer, pain radiated from her neck down, but she reached deep inside her for that residual strength that came from desperation.

Her outstretched fingers brushed the rough bark of the branch. Her heart beat faster. Hope surged in her chest. The next moment, she was grasping at the flowing water, the tree already behind her.

The edge of the waterfall neared with each struggling breath she took. The roar of the river crashing into the basin below became deafening, overwhelming Jade’s senses. Arms made of lead kept her afloat, while her legs kicked against the current, trying to turn her around, away from the closing void. Her mind was too weak now to stave off the piercing pain in her shoulder.

Reality dimmed all around her. Her head slipped once below the surface. She reemerged, her arms drudging against molasse. Tired beyond control, her body stopped obeying her commands, and she was left with her thoughts.

What an irony to die when she might have found something to live for.