Zeristal’s destruction gave us the advantage. Unfortunately, it gave Albrecht opportunity.

The howl of frustration at having been beaten by ‘this little slip of a girl’, and the flash of light that followed, meant Alex and I forgot the cardinal rule – never allow yourself to be distracted.

Have you ever had one of those dreams where you have to get to someone, or away from something, but your body moved like you’re running through glue? That’s exactly how I felt when I turned to see my three friends had beaten the demon, then turned back to see Albrecht ram his sword through Alex’s chest.

Alex looked at me, his face a mask of confusion. He stared down at Albrecht’s blade and, of all things, laughed. He looked back at me, shed a single tear, and went completely limp.

I heard Jaime scream, “Alex!” Albrecht pushed Alex off his blade, then turned to me.

“I told him he would be the first to die.”

“Companions!” Will yelled, snapping me back into focus. “Steel and Magic!

“It’s time for this bastard to die!”