I kept quiet.

He pulled me upright. “This changes nothing. I’ve over a thousand troops.”

“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” The words slipped out without thought. Big mistake.

Fury blazed in his eyes. I braced for pain. Tohon didn’t disappoint. He wrapped his hands around my throat and his power slammed into me like a lightning bolt. I cried out as every inch of my body burned. Even my bones pulsed with an unrelenting pain.

Through the haze of torment, I struggled to counter his magic. To zap him back. I sensed the bond between us and used that to channel his onslaught into him.

He yelped and let go. “You dare attack me!”

“Vice versa, Tohon. You’re only hurting yourself.”

“The bond’s not complete yet. I can kill you without consequence.”

“Go ahead, test your theory.” Because of my little stunt, I’d strengthened the bond and I believed I’d take him with me.

But he was too smart to fall for the taunt. Tohon drew back to punch me. Howls pierced the air, stopping him. His ufa pack had sounded a warning. He hustled to his guards, barking orders. They raced outside.

I sank down. No sense getting my hopes up. Noak and Kerrick would target Tohon’s tent and find fake Avry. Would they even think to look beyond the camp’s boundaries? And then I caught that elusive bit of memory triggered by the chill before I’d entered the cave. Had Noak spotted me? The brush of cold matched when he’d used his magic on me at the infirmary. Or was I indulging in more wishful thinking?

More howls and a yelp echoed off the cavern’s walls. Then a ruckus sounded and a knot of guards wrestled with a struggling man. They threw him to the ground.

Kerrick! Oh, no. I hopped to my feet. Blood and gore stained his torn clothes. Was that an ufa bite on his arm? His ashen face was lined with strain as he sucked in gulps of air. It must have been an immense effort for him to be here.

Once he met my gaze, he relaxed and remained on the floor of the cave. The guards handed Tohon his dadao. Black ichor coated the blade.

Tohon held up the weapon in triumph. “Perfect. Did he attack the tent?” Tohon asked one of his guards.

“No, sire, he came after the ufas.”

Tohon turned a contemplative gaze on me. “How did he know?”

“We share a bond, as well,” I said.

“It’s too weak. You’ve been too busy splitting up and playing heroes. Besides, I imprinted on you before him, my dear.”

Kerrick pushed up on an elbow. “Imprinted?”

Tohon’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, yes. When Avry and I first met. While you were still being Mr. Stony Silence.” He hefted the dadao and approached Kerrick.

“No,” I shouted and flew between them. “You can’t kill him or we’ll all die.”

“Nonsense,” Tohon said.

“Kerrick and I imprinted before I met you. He saved my life when I healed Belen. Kept me from dying.”

An ufa howled. Then growls and yelps filled the air. Tohon gestured to his men to investigate before shoving me aside. He knelt next to Kerrick and grabbed his throat.

“You lied again, my dear. He’s bonded to the forest and not you. And now I’ll pluck—

I yelled and plowed into Tohon, knocking him over. We rolled, but he ended up on top, pinning me to the ground.

“Sire?” A guard cleared his throat.

Tohon’s anger transferred to the interrupter. But then he smiled. He stood and smoothed his shirt. I glanced up. Noak and Flea stood amid a clump of guards. A pack of dead ufas slinked inside, surrounding them all.

It appeared Noak and Flea had been captured. I doubted they would be prisoners for long. I slid over to Kerrick. He gave me a weak grin and unlocked my bindings. I wiggled free.

“Report,” Tohon said.

“We caught these two trying to sneak in here.”

“I do not sneak,” Noak said, sounding affronted.

The guard blanched even though he held Noak’s huge dadao.

“Ah, the ice giant and a boy,” Tohon said. Then his good humor disappeared. “You’re Flea.”

“Yes. And I’m tired of being called a boy.” Flea touched the guard closest to him and froze him in a magical stasis.

“Trap his hands,” Tohon shouted.

But it was too late. Noak moved, knocking guards flat before they could reach Flea.

“Attack,” Tohon ordered the dead ufas.

They didn’t move.

“Protect,” Flea said, and the pack turned to join the fight.

Way to go, Flea! He must have touched them all and transferred their loyalty to him. Too bad we hadn’t figured that out sooner.

Desperate, Tohon darted in and reached for Noak’s bare arm.

“Noak, watch out,” I yelled, scrambling to my feet. I ran.

Tohon clamped onto Noak’s forearm just as I grabbed Tohon’s wrist. Magic exploded around us. Ice, pain, and fire mixed.

“Back off,” Tohon said. His voice cracked with strain.

“You first,” I said.

“Let go, or I’ll kill him,” Tohon puffed.

“No.”

Tohon tugged at Noak’s life. Not if I could help it! I held his life force in place with all my strength. We struggled without sound.

Kerrick hovered at the edges.

“Do it,” Noak ordered.

“Will it kill her?” Kerrick asked.

I met Noak’s gaze. Pained uncertainty.

But not for me. I knew what needed to be done. “No. Do it now, I’m fading fast.”