Broken Arrow

vaguely heard Tate's warning cry of, 'Look out.' He instinctively knew the other twin was there, that she'd come to save her sister. That she was bringing down her blade on his blind spot.

About to cut into the side of his neck and deliver her master The Hooded Man's head.

Mary!

She heard the voice but it was dull, muffled.

Mary, you're in big trouble again. Even worse than before! Mary, you have to wake up. Have to get up! She's coming for you!

She would have asked her brother who, but Mary didn't care. Her whole body was numb, either from the cold or because of the last thing she really remembered: things, heavy things, falling on her.

Adele, David told her, the harpy who did that to you. She's on her way over here with Dad's pistol — your pistol! — and she's going to finish the job. Mary! Mary, PLEASE!

She told him to leave her alone. The blackness was calling again, regardless of the fact she thought she'd seen a glimpse of Robert.

David wouldn't leave her alone.

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary. On and on like a stuck record, telling her that she was in danger, telling her that she was going to die. (Funny, she thought she had already.) Telling her that Adele was coming.

Adele.

That's right. The one who was all over Robert, who led Jack on. Who tricked you all, Moo-Moo. Lucy's already dead, she died trying to save you.

Lucy? No…

Finally, an answer. Hallelujah! Now look, Adele's coming, so you have to do something or Lucy will have died for nothing!

But I can't move, David. I was blown up!

You can move, it's just that you're telling yourself you can't. You're giving up Moo-Moo, and if there's one thing I never thought you were it's a quitter.

It's so hard. Too hard.

Bull. Get up Mary. Get up, or you'll just prove Dad right. He always said that you could never do a man's job, that you were weak.

Mary felt her hand twitch.

Do you think that's what Robert thinks, as well? Does he think you're weak, not up to being by his side?

Mary's fingers began to curl.

He thinks you're a: 'Useless wretch. Look at you. This will almost be a mercy killing, like putting down an animal.' The rhythm of the words, the accent, changed halfway through. Suddenly Mary was listening to Adele. The woman was pretty close — close enough to fire at any moment — but she obviously wanted to vent first. 'You were there, weren't you? When my father's life was cut short. You were partly responsible. You and that bastard who sleeps with dogs. Flea-ridden dogs like you!'

Mary's fingers balled into a fist.

'But both will die. First you, and how fitting it should be by your own weapon. Then him. If there is anything left after The Tsar's bodyguard has finished.'

'Robert…' Mary gargled.

'What was that? Are you trying to speak? Are you begging me for your life, Mary? Is that it?'

Mary said something else that was unintelligible.

'I did not catch that. You will have to beg louder.' The voice was close now. Very close.

Mary lashed out with her fist, connecting with the soft flesh that could only be Adele's cheek. She heard a surprised shriek, then a bang close to her ear as the Peacekeeper went off. There was a ringing in her head, but she said the words again, louder, not knowing or caring whether they were heard: 'I said, shut your filthy mouth or… or I'll shut it for you!'

Then she opened her eyes.

It hurt like nothing he'd ever felt before. Not even having his little finger cut off compared.

Because that was quick, over in a flash and although the pain lingered, it dulled to a throb eventually. This? This was different. Every time he moved his leg it felt like someone sticking a knife into it. Not a knife. A giant splinter. Mark hissed through his teeth as he shifted position and the bolt in his thigh moved again.

'Oh my God, Mark. Shall I pull it out?' asked Sophie, squatting next to him.

Mark didn't know. Were you supposed to pull them out? Would he bleed to death if she did that? Mary would know, but… Mary was out of it at the moment. Better than dead, he reminded himself, as he'd told Robert she was. Imagine, thinking the woman you loved was-

That's why Mark acted when he saw Tanek pointing his crossbow at her. The same reason he'd protected Sophie back at the castle, and even when they'd first met. At least he'd had a chance to tell her. At least if they bought it, she knew. He looked into her eyes. Now she was really looking at him, and all the panic, the fear he saw in her eyes was gone. He saw only one thing. One thing that made him want to fight. That made him want to survive this and keep Sophie safe.

'Awwwwwgghhhh!' he cried out, the moment broken.

The bolt was being pulled, and he thought, to begin with, it was Sophie going ahead with the makeshift operation regardless. When Mark looked down, he realised his mistake.

There was Tanek, not only pulling, but twisting the bolt then shoving it back in. 'How does it feel, boy? What you did to me?'

It felt bad, really bad. Not because of the pain, or because he'd shot Tanek back on that platform. Mark was actually regretting not being a better aim, not having another chance.

Tanek didn't look like he was going to give it to him. The big man had finishing playing with the bolt, and had slung his crossbow over his shoulder. He grabbed Mark by the scruff of the neck, dragging him round and hoisting him up.

Mark felt like he was on a very small, very intimate fairground ride — Tanek whirling him around like he weighed nothing. He lashed out, his fist catching the side of Tanek's head, but Mark suspected it probably hurt him more than it did the giant. Where was Jack when you needed him?

As if reading his mind, Tanek suddenly said: 'First you, then the farmer… Nostalgic. Pity your tall friend is not here, but I think I broke him during our torture session.'

Having been on the receiving end of one of those, Mark could well understand how. So, on top of everything else, he was worried about what this sadist had done to Jack.

'Now, boy, I break you.'

Tanek lifted Mark up sideways, facing the sky. Although he couldn't see it, he knew Tanek had also lifted his knee, in preparation for dropping Mark across it. A thigh wound he might be able to get over, but a broken back? No chance.

'Yah!' Tanek let out, and Mark thought it was a cry of victory before letting him fall. Yep, he was being dropped, sharply, and Mark braced himself for the impact… which never came. Instead, his whole body fell and smacked flat against the concrete of the car park. It winded him, but at least he could still move.

For some reason Tanek had let him go. As Mark raised his eyes he saw the figure of Sophie on the giant's back, riding him like he was giving her a piggy-back.

She was clawed the sides of his head, raking his eyes with her nails. Tanek shouted again, 'Gah!' Mark bet it was the closest they'd ever get to hearing him scream.

He was reaching up to grab Sophie's wrists, to prevent her from doing any more damage, but she was holding on like a rodeo rider. Desperate to keep Tanek away from Mark.

Saving him.