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But then Tahnee saw it: a tiny skink on the ground, darting away from the man’s feet as he stumbled through the space the woman had just been.

It was only a split second before the woman was back again, shifting into her human form once more and launching herself onto the man’s back, one arm wrapped around his neck while her other hand reached into her pocket and grabbed something that she uncapped one-handed, then jabbed into his arm.

A syringe, Tahnee thought dazedly, knowing that she should either be fighting or escaping, but unable to tear her eyes away from the spectacle. The woman had only shifted into her lizard form for a fraction of a second – enough for any bystanders to hopefully wave off what they’d seen as a trick of the light – but it had been enough for her to completely gain the advantage.

Tahnee watched, entranced, as the thug slowly sank to the ground. She had no idea what had been in the syringe, but she had to assume that it wasn’t deadly.

The woman bent down to check the man’s vitals and cuff his wrists, before she straightened up, smirking. “Never underestimate a medic.” She glanced over at where Rhys was struggling with the other goon. “Need a hand?”

“Nah, I’m fine,” Rhys grunted, as the goon shoved an enormous, meaty hand in his face.

He was obviously not fine, but the rumbling thunder that coursed through the ground told her that the horde of Agency staff dressed as knights – plus Trent in a very unconvincing princess getup – that she’d spotted a minute ago had now arrived. And they were obviously in the mood to fight.

Tahnee dared to let herself hope.

She found herself awash in a clash of swords and shields, boots trampling and voices yelling, and she tried to wiggle her way out of it all, feeling decidedly exposed in amongst all those sharp, pointy weapons. Even if they were fake, they still looked like they would hurt.

A firm hand on her arm pulled her free from the melee, and even if she hadn’t felt the glow of the mate bond, she would’ve known who it was.

Robb. My knight in shining armor.

She clung to him for a moment, just glad to know he was safe, and wondered what to do next. She did want to join in the fun – if she could grab herself a weapon, anyway – but she also knew that it was actually a life-or-death situation, crazy though it was. She really should have been trying to make an escape.

The other problem was that they were starting to draw attention, with people pointing and staring – and, she realized with a sinking feeling, other Hargreaves agents were starting to come out of the woodwork, all dressed in medieval garb.

Of course half the staff here would be Hargreaves. They own the place, after all.

All of this had been way too easy – and, of course, there was still James to deal with.

He was watching them now with a distinctly pissed-off expression, taking a moment to observe the happenings and presumably work out his next steps. For all his obvious love of theatrics, he clearly wasn’t the type to rush in headfirst without a plan.

“Tahnee.”

Liam’s voice was in her ear, and she turned to face him in all his knightly glory.

Relief ran through her – although of course he had to be here, given that he’d been the one she’d sent to fetch Robb’s team.

“You’re here,” she said inanely. Then, feeling like she had to add something to that statement, she added, “You’re looking very dashing.”

Liam’s expression was grim. “We have to get you and Robb out of here,” he said urgently. “I don’t know all of what Hargreaves are planning, but I do know that they’re after the two of you specifically. We have to get you somewhere safe.”

She chafed at the idea of running, but she knew that he was right. If Hargreaves caught her and Robb, they’d be right back to trying to force her to make gold again – and she couldn’t let that happen.

A worry that had been at the back of her mind suddenly resurfaced.

“Hey, is the sanctuary okay?”

“It’s fine,” Liam said urgently. “But it won’t be if you don’t get moving. Go.”

He gave both her and Robb an ungentle shove, and Tahnee looked back over her shoulder to see him approaching James with single-minded determination on his face, sword and shield at the ready. Euan, dressed as a blacksmith and wielding an enormous hammer, was approaching James from the other side with equal determination.

Tahnee swallowed, even as Robb urged her forward.

“We have to go,” he said as he hurried her from the area, his voice firm. “I know how hard it is to keep yourself out of the action, but we don’t have a choice.”

“I know.” Tahnee glanced back over her shoulder, to see some of Robb’s team moving to protect their backs.

This could be the last time I see them, she thought with a sick feeling in her stomach, before she steeled herself. She couldn’t think like that.