She was breathing heavily and he could hear the panic rising in her chest.

"Get lost." Robin growled. He could see three men – all of whom had been in the hall when he'd stabbed Pike. "Where is he? Too weak to face me himself?"

"Nah, he just wanted to give you a warning. Nothing personal, of course – "

"Of course." Robin echoed sarcastically. The man who was speaking stepped forward, smiling calmly.

"You know what he's like. You don't stab him and get away with it. He's called for a rematch, no weapons allowed."

"And he thinks I'll agree? Get lost, Tanner." Robin gently moved Maria so she was behind him, keeping his hand on his arm. He followed the two other men – Mid and Alec – with his eyes. They were getting fearlessly close.

"Well, of course. He said he'd – and I'm quoting, here, so don't choke the messenger – he'd "take your whore" if you didn't. Do you understand, Robin?" Tanner was very close now and the other men had closed in on either side of Robin and Maria. He held her arm even tighter, breathing through his teeth. He felt the same grey sickness as before.

"Tell him to get a life, will you?" Robin nudged Maria backwards slightly as they began to step away from the men.

"I don't think that's possible." Tanner sighed mockingly. "Does this mean we're going to have to take her?"

Robin laughed and swore. "You wish. Leave here. Now."

"Um…" Tanner raised a hand to his chin and pretended to be thinking. He winked at the Mid – on Robin's right. "Do you want your father to hear that the only reason you care about the witch is because you like young girls?" Tanner threatened. Robin snarled, feeling Maria trembling behind him.

"You're talking madness." Robin was braced to fight or run, but he had no idea how to tell Maria when he decided what to do.

"No, Robin – You're being very improper. Either come with us or let us take her." Tanner was standing right in front of Robin now, their faces inches apart. Robin gritted his teeth and shook his head.

"No."

Mid made a lunge for Maria and nearly knocking them all over. Robin span around to face her and yelled as Alec wrapped his arm around his throat, "Run!"

Maria hesitated for a moment, giving Mid the time to right himself. As the De Noir stepped forward again to chase her, Robin kicked out with his feet. This put pressure on his throat where Alec was slowly strangling him, but gave Maria the time she needed to get a head start. As Mid crashed to the ground, Tanner started to chase Maria towards the Moonacre Manor.

"Let her go!" Robin screamed after them. He squirmed to get free of Alec's arms but he was held tight. He watched in horror as Tanner gained on Maria, catching her within seconds.

Mid started towards the captured princess but was knocked over mid-step by a large black shape.

It took Robin slightly longer than Maria to realise what had happened.

Somehow, he must have heard the shouting and come to investigate. Maybe he knew the moon princess was in danger.

Wrolf had landed on Mid, completely winding him and probably breaking a few ribs. He was, after all, a lion now.

As soon as the sight of a black lion sank in with Alec, he released Robin and fled into the trees. Deprived of air, the young De Noir sank to the floor.

He could just see as Wrolf started towards Tanner, but didn't see the man run away. The lion's great bulk blocked that from view. As the pain in Robin's throat grew away from the numbness and became unbearable, he saw something moving towards him.

His head hit the forest floor as he lay there, gasping for breath.