They turned to flee—and froze.
Anna stood before them, her gray eyes cold as winter steel.
"Who hired you?" she demanded.
Silver Mask laughed bitterly. "Kill me if you want. Shadowhand never reveals clients."
"Admirable loyalty," Anna acknowledged. "Unfortunate choice."
Her blades flashed twice. The two assassins beside Silver Mask collapsed, throats opened to the night air.
Nine.
Silver Mask didn't waste energy on fear. "Impressive. This style... The royal family trained you well."
Anna's expression didn't change. "Last chance. Who hired you?"
"You know how this ends."
"I do."
They moved simultaneously, blades meeting in a shower of sparks. Silver Mask was good..
But Anna was royal guard, trained from childhood to protect the crown at all costs.
Their dance lasted twelve seconds.
Silver Mask fell, Anna's blade buried in his chest.
"Ten," she whispered, cleaning her weapons.
