**THUD!**

Harper jolts awake, nearly tumbling from her tangled bedsheets. The dark shadows in her spacious room twist into unsettling shapes. Grabbing the cool blade hidden under her pillow, she prepares for anything. As the daughter of the most hated general in history, caution is essential.

Flicking a bracelet on her wrist, a soft, translucent shield surrounds her just as a small object whizzes past, bouncing harmlessly off it.

“Who’s there?” Harper’s voice trembles.

Another object flies through the air, but she dodges it. A silhouette steps into the dim light.

“Harper,” he says gently. “Lower your shield. It’s just me.”

Harper laughs, gripping her blade tighter. “So you can kill me? No, thanks.”

The boy huffs in frustration and flicks on the lights, temporarily blinding her. Even blind, she strikes true, hitting his leg with her blade.

“Why did you do that?” he grumbles, sinking to the floor. “Now I can’t move.”

Her gaze locks onto his striking green eyes. “You were trying to kill me.”

“Attack you? With sticks?” He gestures to two small, dull objects on the floor.

“Then why are you here?” she asks, arms crossed.

He looks bewildered. “I promised to break you out. We tried escaping together before.”

Harper scoffs. “Why would I want that?”

“Harper, you held the guards off for me. I promised I’d return for you.”

“Yeah, okay. For real. Why are you here?” She pulls her blade back from his leg, ignoring his wince.

“Please, you have to remember!” he pleads.

Before she can respond, guards burst in, dragging him away despite his protests.

“Harper, you need to remember!” he calls as they pull him out.

Then her father enters, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. “Don’t trust him. You can only trust me.”

He leaves without another word.