Instantly, Emily, Emma, Astrid, and Seraphina jumped through the hole. Seraphina felt only a little better about their chances for success, but Emily and Astrid were clearly excited, while Emma was calm, even looking at the guards with a hint of pity.
Erik and Alice, meanwhile, remained behind. Erik was still pretending to be exhausted, while Alice was attempting to join the others, with excitement and fighting intent shining in her eyes. Unfortunately, she was being held back by Erik's large hand gripping her head.
"You're not going anywhere, Alice," he grinned at her, talking softly so as not to give up his act to the guards. "You'll stay with me, remember?"
Alice's lips pressed into a tight pout, her glare sharp enough to cut through Erik's feigned indifference, to which Erik simply responded by rolling his eyes, "You'll get to fight soon enough, don't worry."
