The House of Cards

The World Jumper

The World Jumper

The room immediately erupts into a flurry of panicked action. Elizabeth quickly arms herself, pulling a knife that had been hidden somewhere on her body. She shouts a rapid succession of orders towards Daniel, who wraps an arm around Gwin's shoulders and hustles her over to a section of paneling on the wall. He pushes it inward, revealing a hidden passage. Elizabeth reaches out and grasps my wrist, pulling me close to her and my attention away from Daniel. Her free hand grips mine, pressing a knife into my grasp.

"There is no time," she whispers, mouth moving quickly. "This is Asitr, the Ace Blade of the House of Swords. Keep it safe for me, just in case."

I glance at the small weapon hidden in my fist, the diamond shaped blade poking out of my grasp. I do not need to translate to know what the name means. The corvinaka-Ace Blades-are memorized by all Arcana. This is the Blade of the House of Swords: Asitr, Dagger of Air. "You cannot give me this. It is your weapon. You are the Ace-"

"No," she says, cutting me off. "I was never meant to be the Ace of Swords. I was just the last resort." Her eyes become steel as she releases me. "Too many have died in this war, already, Maeve. We need to end it. Now, go! You aren't safe here anymore. I am sorry we couldn't protect you better."

She lets go of me, turning and pulling a gun from the waistband of her jeans. I scramble to grab on to her.

"No!" I argue. "We are not just going to leave you here!"

Her jaw hardens. "Yes, you are."

Jack reaches out and grabs my bicep. "Come on. We have to get out of here."

"No!" I attempt to yank my arm out of his grasp, but he holds fast. "I cannot let her sacrifice—Elizabeth! You cannot do this!"

I barely register the sounds of gunshots and footsteps rapidly approaching the gym. Shouts and screams from upper floors begin to leech down, ringing in my ears.

This has happened once before. I will not let it happen again.

I struggle against Jack's grip, desperately pleading with Elizabeth.

"Just grab her, Jack," Daniel shouts. "We don't have time for this nonsense."

Jack wraps an arm around my middle, tugging me away from Elizabeth. I beat at his arm trying to get him to let me go, but after a moment of struggle, he simply picks me up and drags me away, down the tunnel that Daniel has disappeared into. Daniel waits just beyond the entrance, slamming it shut behind us.

"Let me go!" I scream, beating my fist against Jack's arm. "Let me go, you bastard! They do not want anyone here but me! Just let them take me, and then no one else has to die!"

The words have an immediate effect, though not the one I was hoping for. Jack lets me go, only to take me by the shoulders and slam my back against the wall of the passage. My breath rushes from my body, leaving me gasping for air. He leans in close, glaring down at me, purple eyes blazing. Past his shoulder, I see Daniel pause, his hand on Gwin's arm fingers twitching for his gun.

"Never-ever-say anything like that again," Jack threatens, voice low and threatening. I feel the knot in my stomach seize. "Don't act like a selfish brat and try to disguise it as righteousness. There is more than just your life at stake in this. They don't just want you. They want me, and they want the Lovers, and they want the Aces. And no matter what you do, people will die, but if you die, it will have been for nothing. And I am not going to let that happen."

I am silent for a moment in response, the only noises coming from our heavy breathing and the sounds of fighting leaking in through the walls.

When I do speak, my voice shakes. "It is not selfish to want to save people's lives."