The sword reflected in the sunlight. Without a second thought, Serena seized Ethan's hand and flung him to the side, just as the attacker's sword came crashing down.
The clash of steel rang sharp in the air as Serena blocked the blow with the sword she had wrenched from Ethan's grasp moments earlier. The force of it jarred her arm, making her stumble back a step, but she gritted her teeth and shoved forward, forcing the man to retreat a pace.
She feigned a high strike, lifting her sword to bait his defense- and he took it, raising his blade instinctively.
Good.
Without hesitation, Serena dropped low and swept his legs out from under him with a swift kick. The man hit the ground with a dull thud, and Serena was on him in an instant, the tip of her sword pressed firmly against his throat.
