Others Are Watching

My fingers twitched, and my grip on Twin Stars snapped open. The blade fell to the ground with a clatter.

"Bai Ye!" I jerked away from him. "Did I hurt you? I'm so sorry … Did I—"

The rest of my words were replaced by a gasp when he pulled me back into him, holding me so tight that I could barely breathe. "You made it, Qing-er." His voice trembled, and I couldn't tell if it was from excitement or belated fear. "You did it. She's gone now … You did it."

He cupped the back of my head, burying my face against his shoulder. The crisp scent of his hair wafted into my nostrils, making the moment feel a bit surreal. It was so peaceful … So peaceful that it forced all the savage scenes I had just seen in my mind's eye out of my head. So peaceful that I finally realized everything had already ended.

"… It's over now?" I asked, coming back down to reality. "We won?"

"Yes. Once and for all." He patted my back. "How are you feeling?"