Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #2)

Trystan critiques Evie’s kissing distraction technique, offering to teach her more effective methods. Before they can continue, they are interrupted by the arrival of Valiant Guards.

Gideon shares pastries with Lyssa. He notes that one of the stained glass windows in the kitchen depicts Rennedawn’s Story. Lyssa deliberately drops a key, hinting that it belongs to her bed chamber with Evie. Suddenly, Marvin, the guard, staggers in, injured and bleeding, warning that the wards have fallen and the Valiant Guards are attacking.

Evie realizes that someone has betrayed them. As Trystan unleashes his magic, part of it unintentionally wraps around Evie, weakening him. Another part, acting independently, chokes a nearby guard. Evie throws herself in front of an arrow aimed at Trystan. At the same time, her dagger heats up, snapping the arrow in half before it can touch her.