An instinct told me to evade; I sidestepped to my right as something sharp grazed the right side of my back. I twirled, both knives at the ready, when—
Opal let out a psychic scream. I felt a tearing sensation on my left side, from behind.
I realized the assassin with the massive sword had bypassed Opal. A chilling sensation enveloped me as I became aware of a blade lodged inside me, amidst my bones, muscles, and organs. A wave of nausea swept over me.
I resisted the urge to look in the direction of the pain, focusing instead on the new assailant behind me. She was quite short, wielding a pair of large combat knives, her eyes locked onto mine without emotion. The sword was yanked out of my side, causing me to drop to my knees. The attacker in front of me lunged, one knife aiming for my throat, the other targeting my chest. I tried to raise my arms to block—
