Jade saw the gun fire at the same time Dragon pushed her out of the bullet’s trajectory, sending her straight into Valerian’s arms.

When her shot missed Jade’s belly, Lauren swung the gun at Dragon.

Jade’s reaction was immediate. She retrieved her second dagger which she threw at once. The blade sailed in the air toward Lauren’s chest, hitting its target a moment later. More shots were fired. Sharp pain exploded in Jade’s right forearm and left thigh. Crippled, she fell to her knees, one hand protecting her stomach as the other reached for the switchblade in her boot.

In front of her, the front line of the rebel army moved at once around Lauren, as the rest advanced toward Jade, Dragon, and Valerian.

“Get her!” a man commanded, emerging from the fray.

“Crane—” Dragon hissed under his breath, disgust in his voice.

Jade didn’t recognize the man. He was bald and wore a dark uniform with golden epaulets. A barrette with the letters FPH showed on the man’s chest, marking him as the rebels’ leader.

Three men detached to go after Jade. Cornered, she hid the blade in her sleeve. Rough hands grabbed her by her shoulders and dragged her to a corner. She didn’t provide resistance, making her body boneless before retrieving the switchblade and striking in short succession behind both men’s knees.

On the other side of the command room, Dragon bellowed, sending enemies flying as they tried to surround him.

“Shoot him!” the leader shouted over Dragon’s roars.

Two rebels advanced toward Jade.

“Kill her—” Lauren’s pained voice emerged from the melee.

“No!” the rebels’ leader ordered. “We need the assassin alive.”

Lauren emerged from behind the flank protecting her. “I want her dead,” she said, venom in her voice. Her hand pressed against the red flower that had blossomed on her dress, just a fraction below her heart.

The leader stepped forward, facing Lauren. “I don’t care what you want. We have a deal.”

“And I don’t care about your deal, Crane. I’ll have my revenge—” Lauren’s eyes narrowed, her face scrunched in pain. Going pale, she leaned against the man next to her.

“You’ll have to content yourself with the shifters’ death,” the leader said, walking toward the middle of the command room. He skirted bodies on his way to the corner where Dragon stood, surrounded by a circle of rebels who kept their distance.

“You and your lieutenant will follow me now,” the man said.

Dragon closed the distance between them and stopped in front of the man, towering a full head over him.

“You comply,” Crane said. “Or the assassin pays. I can’t kill her, but I can hurt the baby.”

Dragon’s eyes flared with hatred, but he stepped back, turning to Jade.

She silently shook her head as she calculated how many rebels she could bring down before her inevitable defeat.

Dragon’s eyes cut to the men surrounding them, then his gaze lowered to her stomach and he gave her a sad smile that broke her heart. When he faced the man once again, Dragon said, “Leave her alone, and I’ll go with you.”

“You won’t get away with it,” Lauren screamed. Even though her wound should’ve rendered her unconscious by now, she attempted to launch herself at Jade.

The leader grabbed Lauren and jerked her back. “You won’t ruin our plan.” He squeezed her arm hard, causing her to scream in pain.

“You promised me—”

“What did you think? That I would cater to your delusions? I told you what you wanted to hear.” Crane shoved Lauren away, sending her whirling against the wall of men standing by.

Valerian’s low moan interrupted them.

“Grab him,” Crane ordered, nodding at the men standing closer to Valerian.

Valerian made to stand, startling the man who had reached down to grab him by his elbow, and causing the rebels nearby to raise their guns.

“We’re coming voluntarily,” Dragon said, raising his hands in surrender. Keeping his arms up, he stepped closer to Valerian. “I only want to help him get up.” He made to lean, but only lowered his hand when the leader nodded.

“Don’t try anything heroic,” Crane said, pointedly looking at Jade.

Dragon’s hand closed around Valerian’s arm and pulled him up.

With a few short orders, the leader positioned six men around Jade. “Shoot at her arms and legs if she moves.” He moved toward the exit and addressed Lauren. “You come with me.”

Lauren jerked away from the man holding her. “I don’t need help to walk.”

Jade watched as Dragon and Valerian were escorted from the command room, sandwiched between rebels.

“I love you,” Dragon mouthed, giving her one last look before he disappeared behind the doorframe.

Her heart sank at the realization that it might be the last time she would see him.