Just pass out, Iko said, trying to sound comforting, and Ill let you go.

Hey!

She snapped her head around as a royal guard spotted them through the kitchen window. He ran for the back door and swung it open and

Holy stars almighty.

Shed always thought Kai was the most attractive human specimen shed ever seen, but this man was devastingly beautiful, with tan skin and roguish wavy hair, and he was

He was

Pointing a gun at her.

Iko yanked the thaumaturge in front of her at the same moment he pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the woman somewhere in her torso and she collapsed, already weak from Ikos suffocation.

Iko dropped the woman and hurled herself over the body, grappling for the guards gun. He swung her around, knocking her back into the counter. The impact reverberated through Ikos limbs. The guard yanked the gun away and swung his opposite fist toward Ikos face. Her head snapped back and she stumbled two, three steps, before colliding with the stove. The guard cursed, shaking out his hand.

Iko was just thinking that she should have installed some martial arts programming when a second gunshot jolted through her audio receptors. She flinched and clamped her hands over her ears, dialing down the volume even though it was too late.

When her thoughts cleared, she saw the guard staring at her with an open mouth and saucer-wide eyes, his hands still gripping the gun. What what are you?

She looked down. There was a hole in her chest, revealing sparking wires and frayed synthetic skin tissue. She groaned. I just had that replaced!

Youre The guard took a step back. Id heard of Earthen machines that could that were but you His face contorted, and Iko had spent enough time analyzing facial muscles to recognize this expression as complete, unbridled disgust.

Indignation flared inside her, probably seeping out through the new hole in her chest. Its not polite to stare, you know!

A form appeared in the door leading to the main room. Another guard, and this one Iko recognized as one from Levanas personal entourage. He had been part of the team that had accosted them on the rooftop in New Beijing. What happened? he barked, taking in the fallen thaumaturge and the pretty guards lowered weapon and Iko.

Recognition flitted through his eyes and he grinned. Nice find, Kinney. I guess this trip wasnt as pointless as I thought. He stepped over the thaumaturges body.

Iko raised her fists, trying to recall all those fighting pointers Wolf had given Cinder.

Wheres the cyborg? asked the guard.

Iko snarled at him. Bite me.

He raised an eyebrow. Tempt me.

Sir Solis, said the other guard, Kinney, shes not it isnt human.

Clearly, he drawled, glancing at the bullet hole in her chest cavity. I guess well have to get creative with how we extract information from her. I mean, it.

He swung for her. Iko ducked and swung back, but he trapped her easily. Before her processor could catch up, he had her hands locked behind her back. Iko struggled, trying to stomp on the arch of his foot, but he evaded every attempt. He was laughing as he bound her hands and spun her back to face him.

All that Earthen technology, he said, pulling aside the fabric of her shirt to pick at the destroyed skin fibers, yet youre somehow still completely worthless.

Hot anger turned her vision red. Ill show you worthless!

Before she could show him anything, though, a banshees scream filled the kitchen and a kitchen knife slashed toward Jerricos shoulder. He gasped and dodged. The blade cut through his sleeve, leaving a bright red gash. Iko stumbled back.

Jerrico spun around and slammed the attacker against the wall, holding her throat in one hand while the other wrestled for her wrist, securing her knife hand.

Winter didnt let go of the knife or her wild-eyed loathing. She brought her knee up, right between his legs. Jerrico grunted and pulled her away from the wall, just to slam her back again. This time, Winter wheezed, the air pushed out of her lungs.

Kinney, watch the android, Jerrico said through his teeth.

Iko swiveled her attention from Princess Winter to the too-handsome-to-be-such-a-jerk guard, but Kinney no longer cared about her. His face was horrified as Jerrico held the princess by her throat. Thats Princess Winter! Unhand her!

A humorless laugh erupted from Jerrico. I know who it is, idiot. Just like I know shes supposed to be dead.

I heard she was dead too, but clearly shes not. Release her.

Rolling his eyes, Jerrico turned and dragged Winter off the wall. No, shes supposed to be dead. The queen ordered her to be killed, but it seems like someone didnt have the stomach for it. Winter slumped forward but he dragged her back up, holding her against his chest. What a lucky catch. Ive been waiting to have you alone for years, but that annoying Sir Clay was always hanging around like a vulture on dead meat. Jerrico dragged his thumb along Winters jaw. Doesnt look like hes here now, does it, Princess?

Winters lashes fluttered. Her eyes were dazed as she looked at Kinney. You

Hey. Jerrico forced her chin around to face him. Youre my prize, Princess. So what reward do you think Ill get for bringing your dead body to the queen? I dont think shell care what state its in, and as an added bonus, I can prove that your boyfriend is a traitor after all.