It flashed past me, slicing my shoulder just as I slammed her up against the wall. And then I saw that it was Pauline. Lia was yelling at both of us. “Drop the knife, Pauline! Drop it! Kaden! Let her go!” The knife was still firm in her grip, her hand straining against mine. “Stop!” I yelled. She seethed. “Not this time, barbarian!” I felt the sting where the blade had cut me and the warmth of blood spreading across my shoulder. “What’s the matter with you? You could have killed me!” Her eyes held no apology, only hatred that I didn’t think it was possible for Pauline to possess. “Stop!” Lia said firmly, and she pulled the knife from Pauline’s hand. She nodded for me to let Pauline go. I took a chance and released her, moving out of her reach, waiting for her to come at me again. Lia stepped between us. “I told him to come, Pauline,” she said. “He’s here to help. We can trust him.” But Pauline was incensed and still not listening. “You lied to us! We treated you with nothing but kindness and then—”
