The Shadow Guard gasped, blood spurting from her mouth as the blade sank deep into her chest. The man grinned and twisted the hilt before savagely kicking the body aside to free his sword. The Shadow Guard collapsed to the floor, lifeless, her eyes staring hollowly to Xena.
"No!" Xena shouted, not out of fear, but fury. She charged forward, her twin daggers slicing through the air with a sharp whistle.
The leader reacted instantly. He spun on his heel, blocking the first strike with his curved sword. Before the second dagger could reach him, his other hand shot out and grabbed Xena by the throat. With a grunt, he hurled her across the room. Her body slammed into a shelf filled with liquor bottles, sending dozens crashing to the floor. Glass shattered. Alcohol spilled.
