Danny hopped to his feet. “Avry’s alive! You can’t fight now. If you lose, she’ll be devastated.”

He took the boy’s hand. “There’s another reason.” Kerrick waited until he had his full attention. “If Rakel is forced to marry Olave, he will eventually become the leader of the tribes, and getting rid of me is the first thing on his to-do list. Better now than later.”

“Do you really believe that?” Danny asked.

“We both know it’s just a matter of time. And don’t forget, if Rakel wins, we’ll have our freedom.”

“Isn’t there any other way?”

“Not that I can think of.”

Danny stared at him for a moment. “You’ve given up. But I won’t.” He left.

Kerrick debated going after him but decided to let Danny have some time to accept the inevitable. Suddenly ravenous, he devoured the food and then lay back on the pillow.

Despite what Danny believed, he hadn’t given up. Not at all. And he planned to fight as if his life depended on it. Because...well, it did.

* * *

The next day Kerrick stood at the edge of a large circle that had been etched into the ground. The tribespeople surrounded the area, all hoping to get a good view of the action. According to Rakel, they’d been told that a challenge had been presented, but not by whom. They also didn’t know the circle had been located near the forest so Kerrick could access his magic.

Danny pressed against him as they waited for the ceremonial challenge to be called and accepted. Rakel strode into the middle of the circle and formally announced her intention to assume leadership of the tribes. A ripple of disapproval rolled through the crowd.

The murmurs ceased when Canute stepped into the circle, accepting the contest.

“I call my second,” Canute said, gesturing to the edge. “My son, Noak.”

By the shocked gasps, Kerrick wasn’t the only one expecting Olave to be named. Pulling his dadao, Noak joined his father.

Kerrick’s hopes sank. This would be a short fight.

“Who will defy tradition and be your second, girl?” Canute asked.

Before Rakel could answer, Danny dashed into the circle. “I’m her second.”

“No!”

Kerrick moved to chase him, but the people around him held him back. He fought them, but the man next to him said, “Cross the threshold and her attempt will be forfeit, and the boy will die.”

He was going to die anyway. Unless Noak refused to fight. No expression showed on the man’s face. Not good.

Jeers, hisses and angry words rose from the crowd.

Canute silenced them all with a glare. “What is this? A farce?”

“No,” Danny said. “As her second, I request you concede the match in our favor.”

Laughter ringed the circle, and even Canute cracked a smile. “Why would I be so foolish, boy?”

“Because if you don’t, your tribe will cease to exist.”

The noise level dimmed in an instant.

“You’re sick and dying. Half your tribe lies abed.” Danny strode to the edge. He jabbed a finger at a man. “He’s coughing up blood. This other man is hours away from collapsing. And she can’t stop bleeding. Without Rakel and me to heal them, they’ll all die.”

Kerrick beamed with pride. Well played. But would Canute heed the wisdom of Danny’s words?

CHAPTER 20

“No,” Jael said. “I’m not falling for your tricks. I know nothing cures Death Lily toxin. She’ll either die or survive.”

“But if Noelle dies, this will prevent Tohon from turning her into one of his dead,” I said.

“He won’t.” Jael’s hard expression softened. “I’ll ensure she has a proper burial.”

Anger surged. If my hands hadn’t been secured behind my back, I would have lunged for her throat. Instead, I said, “Tohon’s not going to agree to your terms, Jael. He doesn’t want me that badly.”

“And I’ve had enough of your whining.” She waved a hand. “Take her back to the barn.”

Gilson grabbed my upper arm. He escorted me to the old barn. All the windows had been boarded over and the door locked from the outside. At least he removed the manacles before pushing me inside.

The door clicked shut behind me. Sunlight glinted through the wooden slats and streaked the straw with yellow lines. Having already explored every inch of the one-story structure this morning, I sat on a pile of hay bales, considering my limited options, which included actions such as should I lie down or bang my head against the boards?

Enric had been happy to discover Gilson and his squad reported to General Jael and had quickly joined their ranks. Jael had the foresight to send her loyal troops away before Tohon could tighten his noose. The squad had ushered us to Jael’s hideout at a rapid pace. Noelle had to be carried and it had taken us a full day to reach the small abandoned settlement southeast of Zabin.

Noelle had then been whisked away as soon as we had arrived, and, except for my brief audience with Jael in the farmhouse, I’d been locked in the barn. Enric actually believed I had been incarcerated for my own protection.

Although I knew I should be angry at Noelle for betraying me again, I couldn’t produce the feelings. She was dying, and she was my sister. Everything but anger pulsed in my chest. I needed to get her to a Peace Lily. Maybe this time it would save her as it had saved me, but Jael wouldn’t listen.

My shoulder ached, and a bone-deep fatigue pressed on me. I dug through my pack. Gilson had confiscated my dagger and syringe, but I still had the toxin sack. Too bad I couldn’t do anything with it, as I’d never inject it into a living person.