Katherin felt the cool metal against her throat. She stiffened. 

"That's what I thought," a woman's voice spoke dryly. She sounded familiar.

Katherin didn't respond. She craned her neck subtly; hoping to gauge the number of attackers by listening to her surroundings. It was no use.

The woman smelled like lavender. Katherin's home smelt like lavender on the day of her parent's murder. The police had hypothesised that the killer had worn lavender perfume, though they'd never been able to confirm any suspects based on that profiling.

Katherin's fingers grazed the floor. Her fingers became slick with blood.

The woman crushed Katherin's fingers under the heel of her boot. The slim metal band of Katherin's ring dug into her skin, threatening to snap her bone.

"You killed my friend. You must pay the price."

Somewhere to the left, Morgana muffed protests.

Katherin shot out her arm, grabbing the woman's shirt.

"Don't touch her. Please."

The woman stilled, contemplating her answer.

"Let her go," she spoke eventually, her body twisting to talk to her companion.

Morgana silenced her protests. Her shoes squeaked against the marble floor as she tried to put distance between her and her attacker.

Katherin squeezed her eyes shut. Her breathing was shallow, deep in the pit of her stomach. A strand of hair tickled her cheekbone, reminding Katherin that this wasn't some terrible dream.

Katherin was going to die. They were going to kill her, and then they'd kill Morgana.

People were assholes.

The woman shoved Katherin to her knees. She let herself fall, grunting softly as her knees hit the hard floor. There was no point in struggling. Katherin couldn't fight without her senses.

Besides, Katherin had to think about Morgana. She needed to give her time. Morgana needed to escape, to warn the others to un.

The tip of the knife was pressed against Katherin's stomach.

Katherin clenched her core as if it would protect her from her fate.

The knife pierced her skin. Katherin bit down on her tongue. She tasted blood; metallic, like the tongue piercing Katherin had gotten on a whim when she was in middle school. Katherin had taken it out two days later. Her parents had not been impressed.

A small trickle of blood ran down Katherin's torso, pooling at the waistband of her underwear.

The woman hesitated, deterred by the sight of blood. Her hands shook, preventing her from holding the knife steadily.

The glass behind them shattered.

Katherin took her chance. She pulled the bag from her head, tugging the knife from the woman's hand.

The woman took a step back, her eyes flashing with terror.

Katherin lunged, burying the knife into the stomach of the woman.

The woman gasped in shock, spitting blood onto the floor.

Katherin twisted the blade.

Then, she tore the knife from the woman's body.

The woman dropped to her knees, her hands pressed against her stomach, failing to stop the blood loss.

Katherin couldn't find it within herself to pity the woman.

The woman's companion screamed.

Katherin whirled around, expecting to see Morgana, but was met with Jaxx's cold stare. The handcuff was still attached to his wrist. Blood ran down his chin, dripping onto his shirt.

The companion's neck was gaping open, pulsating as he tried to breathe, a scene from a horror movie.

Jaxx had bitten the man.

Katherin stared in horror.

The man had been right. Jaxx was infected. He was already beginning to turn.

Jaxx's eyes were diluted; an empty pit of blackness.

Katherin approached Jaxx warily, her bloody knife held at the ready, in case it was necessary.

She hoped it wasn't necessary.

"Jaxx?" Katherin murmured.

Jaxx breathed heavily. He twitched, turning to Katherin, seeking her out like she was prey.

"Jaxx. Please," Katherin continued.

Jaxx didn't respond. He wiped the blood from his face, his pupils slowly returning to normal.

Jaxx looked at his palms. At the blood. At the companion.

"What did I just do?" He breathed, staring at Katherin in horror.

"It's okay," Katherin murmured.

"Did I just... bite someone?"

Katherin clenched her jaw.

Jaxx gagged, teetering dangerously.

Katherin grabbed Jaxx's shirt before he hit the floor.

"Don't touch me!" Jaxx hissed, staggering backwards.

Katherin tugged her hand away as if she had been burnt. She understood the message. Katherin wasn't welcome. Jaxx needed space.

Morgana grabbed Katherin's shoulder, ducking swiftly as Katherin swung her fist in self-defence. She pointed behind her, her breathing ragged.

"We have a problem."