Avalor's eyes had turned to steel as the guard slid down the door and onto the floor, limp and lifeless. Panic lanced through my chest, but Avalor was already going, barking orders at the remaining guards as they poured into the room.
"Secure the perimeter! No one gets in or out without my command!" Avalor's voice was sharp with authority, but an edge cut through the words, a fear lurking just below the surface. He turned to me, his expression softening by a fraction. "Melissa, you need to stay here. I'll handle this."
"No," I said firmly, moving closer to him. "I'm not going to hide when Lucius is coming. I have to fight."
Avalor shook his head. "It's too dangerous."
"I do not care," I hissed back, my voice firmer than ever. "You said that I am the key to everything, isn't that? Then I have to face him. We cannot win if we do not fight together."
