"Shit!!" Jin Long growled, his voice low as he lunged for the sword that had been carelessly tossed into the corner of the room. The metal glinted as he grasped the hilt. Nora instinctively took a step back her eyes widening with fear.
"I'm sorry, but I can't keep you alive," Jin Long said, his tone cold as steel.
Desperation flooded Nora's voice as she pleaded, "Please, don't! If you do this the king will become suspicious. I promise I won't breathe a word of this to anyone." Her heart raced, each word tumbling out in a frantic rush.
Jin Long's expression hardened, the dilemma etched across his face. "I cannot afford to jeopardize Xi Feng's identity," he replied.