Chapter 21

Sometimes it was best to act first and ask questions later, Robert learnt that lesson the hard way. Taken aback by his foe's last sentence he paused, his grip on the gun loosen without his knowledge. His grip loosened for a mere matter of seconds, but that was all it took. As he just stared a Jacob a flash of silver darted across his vision. He felt a searing pain for his hand and, out of instinct, he pulled his bleeding hand close which caused him to drop the gun. He looked to his left he could see nobody but when he looked to the right something or rather someone dropped on top of him. The assailant kicked him hard in the shoulders, sending him crashing to the ground. Looking up Robert glared at the person he'd least expected to see, not after the encounter earlier. Evie was standing protectively in front of her brother, who seemed to be struggling to get to his feet.
"Well you're full of surprises aren't you Miss Frye." He said, as he got to his feet.
"I rarely do what's expected of me." Evie replied, folding her arms.
"Why do you protect him? Have you forgotten what he did to you?"
"I remember, but he's still my brother and I will not allow you to harm him."
Robert sneered, "I don't think you will be able to stop me, I can see in your eyes. You're too weak. But if you like I shall take you down first. Then you will be able to watch me end your brother's life whilst lying helpless in a pool of your own blood."
Evie only had a second to react as Robert launched himself at her, pulling a blade from his coat pocket which she had not realised he'd processed. She managed to deflect the first strike but narrowly missed the second. She was not so fortunate on the third strike, she should have known that Robert would play dirty. He grabbed hold of Evie's injured arm, his blade slashed across his opponent causing blood to soak her already blood soaked coat. Fortunately, Evie's instincts came to her rescue and although she had not been able to prevent the blow to her chest she had managed to move her body so that the blade cut through her right flank. She managed to pull out of his grip and tried prepared herself to strike back but someone or rather someone get there first. Jacob had tackled Robert to the ground where once again the two exchanged punches once more.

The pair thrashed around on the floor neither of them willing to show weakness. But just as Evie came running over to help, Jacob managed to pin Robert to the ground. With his hands braced on his enemy's shoulders, preventing movement, Jacob glared at the man.
"It's over Robert, finished. You will leave London and we shall never set eyes on you again."
Robert was glaring straight back at Jacob, but although he was refusing to respond to Jacob that did not mean he was beaten.
"I should kill you." Jacob was saying, "You tried to kill me. You paid the Blighters to kill my sister.
Unbeknownst to either of the Frye Twins Robert's hand was moving. Jacob was staring intently at Robert's face and Evie had taken a moment to try and stop her wound bleeding.
"The only reason I shall spare your life today is for old time's sake. After all that we had growing up. But if I ever set eyes on you again, I will kill you."
Robert smirked, "Not if I kill you first."
But either of the twins could react there was a loud bang and a cry of pain. Jacob staggered backwards, he almost fell but his twin caught him in the nick of time. Blood was pouring from his abdomen. Robert had got to his feet, he was backing away from the twins with a victorious look on his face.
"After all these years Jacob. You haven't changed. You are still the naïve idiot that I once saw as a friend."
With that Robert disappeared. Jacob glanced at his hand, it was covered in blood. That was the final straw, Jacob should have known that Robert would have gone down fighting. He had to die.
"Go after him Evie, before he gets away."
Evie stared down at her twin, "No I can't do that now, we have to get you some help."
Jacob shook his head, "No. Go. I'm fine, I will follow in a moment but we can't let him get away."
To try and provide his point Jacob stumbled to his feet. With a hand still pressed to his bleeding abdomen he looked at her.
"Go."
Evie hesitated her eye locked on her brother but when he once again insisted that she go, she complied.

Running for the alley which Robert had retreated down she soon came to the street. Pausing for a second she used her Eagle Vision to search for any sign of Robert. All she could see was a glimpse of red as it dashed up the road. She gave chase, running as fast of her battered body would let her. Her body was screaming but she had to carry on, she could not let the man escape. Ahead of her Robert was darting down an alleyway, in an attempt to shake Evie from his trail. But she was not going to allow this. Robert had the speed as in her current state she would be unable to run as fast as normal, but she was clever and Robert always underestimated her. Evie pulled one of her throwing knives from the inside pocket of her jacket and expertly threw it at Robert. The blade was not intended to kill Robert, instead it sliced through Robert's right leg causing him to stumble. This was enough to allow Evie to catch up. Drawing her cane sword from the inside of her coat she made to deliver a blow to Robert, the games were over, however the latter was expecting this. Ducking Robert swiped the legs Hof his opponent causing her to fall to the ground. Leaping forwards, he dragged Evie to her feet but her hair and held his own blade across her throat. He pressed the blade ever so slightly causing a bead of blood to trickle down from her neck.
"You know Evie, I was wrong about something." He panted, "I shouldn't have paid the Blighters to kill you. Firstly, they did a terrible job but secondly this is far more fun."
He did not give her the opportunity to speak. Using all his strength he threw Evie as far as he could. Evie may have been a Master Assassin but her lean and slender build was her downfall in this situation. Evie could not do anything to stop what happened. She was thrown into a wooden wagon where the her left side collided painfully with the wagon. She crumpled to the ground as the wagon was knocked backwards into some scaffolding which collapsed. Wood and metal rained down on Evie and soon she was trapped underneath what remained of both wagon and scaffolding. Although Evie was unaware of this, she had been thrown back into the blissful realm of unconsciousness.

Robert was advancing towards the wooden wreckage intent on finishing Evie for good but he stopped when he heard a voice behind him. Turning, he was genuinely surprised to see the younger of the Frye Twins standing there. Jacob's coat was stained with blood which was still oozing from the wound that Robert had inflicted. But there was something in his eyes, a look which said that he was not finished yet. Jacob's gaze flicked between Robert and the wreckage behind him. He'd seen what happened, he'd seen Evie being crushed beneath it. He had to finish this quickly and get her out of it.
"Enough is enough Robert." He said, drawing out his blade, "Let's finish this."
Leaving no room for his opponent to say a word Jacob sprung forwards. Drawing his fist back he delivered a punch to Robert's face which knocked the latter backwards. Robert immediately retaliated by attempting to deliver a strike of his own which was deflected by the Assassin. The two men fought what seemed like hours, neither willing to give the other the upper hand. But eventually the pure skill of the Master Assassin prevailed. They once more found themselves in the position they had been in mere minutes ago, with Jacob pinning Robert to the floor. However, this time Jacob made sure to not allow Robert the chance to escape. Extending his hidden blade, he plunged it into Robert's shoulder. The blade pieced the delicate area of skin between shoulder and neck. A fatal strike. Jacob smirked down as bright red blood poured out of his once friend.
"I'm not sure this is quite how you pictured this going." Jacob said, moving to kneel next to Robert, "But you should have known that we are not defeated so easily."
"You're right, this is not how I pictured this encounter going." Robert replied weakly, "Although I will take comfort in knowing that I have fatally injured the both of you. I may be going first but you will soon follow."
Jacob stood, "If that's what you want to believe then believe what you wish. I have nothing more to say to you. There is nothing to say. Goodbye Robert."
Robert glared at Jacob until the darkness swallowed him and his eyes closed for the final time.

Jacob let out a sigh of relief, pressing a hand to his injury. Now that the danger had past he allowed his body to give into its pain. A grimace appeared on his face and he turned to face the wreckage that Evie was buried underneath. Trying to walk over to it turned out to be impossible when his knees gave out from under him. Falling to the ground Jacob let out a moan of pain. Closing his eyes Jacob tried his best to gain control of his pain. A noise in front of him made him look up. The wooden debris was moving. He watched with bated breath as some of the wood was pushed aside. His twin sister emerged from underneath the wreckage, she too was wearing a pained expression. Her face bore new cuts. She already had the wound to her right cheek from where Jacob had stuck her. But now on her left temple there was a nasty gaze which was bleeding although with other smaller cuts which all must have been inflicted when the scaffolding had collapsed. Evie yelped in pain as she pulled herself free from the wreckage.
"Evie!" Jacob cried, weakly, "Are you alright?"
He watched as she let out a pain breath. Evie let her façade finally fall and she shook her head.
"I think I've broken a couple of ribs." She said.
"We've got to get out of here." Jacob said.
Evie nodded in agreement but neither of them moved. Both too tired and weak to attempt to stand. Evie had closed her eyes to try and combat the pain but Jacob was aware that he was losing consciousness. The toll of his injury was finally taking over. But he had to say something to his twin, there was something he needed to say to her.
"Evie…" He said, weakly.
She looked at him and immediately saw what was about to happen. Trying to ignore the pain she was feeling, Evie pulled herself across to her brother. Jacob's gaze locked with her own.
"Evie… I…"
Jacob did not manage to finish that sentence before he was consumed by darkness. His eyes fluttered shut and his body when limp.
"No.. Jacob!"
Putting out a hand the elder twin shook her brother's shoulder but it nothing to rouse him. Evie continued her efforts to rouse her brother despite knowing that there was nothing she could do. Gritting her teeth, she carefully rolled onto her back, her ribs felt like they were on fire. As much as she wanted to she could not just lie here. She had to get them both to safety but at the moment she could not see how. If she did not have a couple of broken ribs then she might have been able to drag Jacob to the street where hopefully the Rooks would find them.

Evie could not tell how much time had passed as she lay there. It might have been hours for all she knew. But soon she became aware of approaching footsteps and a figure appeared in her eye line. Henry was looking down at her with a concerned expression.
"We have to stop meeting like this." He said.
Evie smiled slightly and accepted the offered hand. With Henry's help she managed to painfully pull herself into a sitting position. Upon sitting up she discovered that Henry wasn't alone, a small handful of Rooks were also there. Henry moved over to Jacob, placing two fingers to his neck.
"He's not…." Evie tried to ask, but her voice failed her with the fear of potentially losing her brother.
Much to her relief, Henry shook his head.
"No he's not, just unconscious. Now, come let's get you two back to the train."
She watched as the Rooks carefully lifted Jacob and carried him away. Henry had moved back to her side where he helped her to his feet. But before leaving the alley Evie cast her eyes back to take a final look at Robert. He was motionless on the ground in a pool of his own blood. He was dead. It was over… it was finally over.