Chapter 50 · I kicked the tray into the first soldier’s

I kicked the tray into the first soldier’s knees. Metal instruments scattered across the floor. He crashed forward, and I drove my elbow into his throat. His helmet struck the altar hard enough to split the leather strap.

A second soldier raised his crossbow.

Cassian shoved my body sideways through the bond.

The bolt tore across my upper arm instead of my chest.

I hit the floor and rolled under the altar. Mother screamed my name.

“Stay down!” I yelled.

“Get away from her!” a soldier shouted.

“Come make me.”

The soldier stepped around the altar. His boots stopped inches from my face.

I grabbed his ankle and yanked. He dropped with a curse. I drove the shard into the gap beneath his breastplate. Blue light flashed, and his whole body locked.

He collapsed without another sound.

Cassian snarled. “That was not the intended use.”

“Send your complaints to the management.”

Another soldier charged through the doorway. Behind him, firelight crawled along the hall. The empire had started burning the outer rooms.

I scrambled upright and seized the fallen man’s sword.

Mother was still on the altar, one hand pressed against her wound.