I counted the steps. One. Two. Three. I surged to my feet and lunged for the closest figure, wrapping my hands around my attacker’s thick neck. A good idea, except he wore a hood that also protected his throat. In fact, the man was completely covered. Other than a thin slit for his eyes, no skin showed.

Not that it mattered now that I’d lost the element of surprise. His companions pulled me off him. I struggled and shouted for help until one of them pressed a sweet-smelling cloth over my face.

The cave spun as the sticky odor invaded my nose. My muscles turned to liquid and I giggled.

“Take her out,” the man said. “I’ll make sure no one follows.”

Scary words, but I didn’t care. Instead, I marveled as I floated over the floor. If only they’d release me, I’d fly to the ceiling. We left the cavern and snaked through the cave. Lanterns hung along the walls, casting a sickly yellow glow.

“Wow, good thinking,” I said to my captors. “Using the back entrance. Did Wynn tell you to do that?”

They ignored me.

I tsked. “Didn’t your mothers teach you any manners?”

We kept moving.

“Phew! What stinks?”

They shushed me, which just made me shout louder. Finally a gloved hand clamped over my mouth. My head cleared by the time we neared the back exit. Fear returned full force. Even though I dragged my feet and fought, our pace never slowed.

Panicked, I increased my efforts despite the pain in my ribs.

Nothing worked. They had me in a firm grip and weren’t letting go.

CHAPTER 4

Fresh air brushed my sweaty forehead and cleared the stink of the privy from my nostrils. Normally welcomed, fresh air in this case meant my chances of rescue decreased. Still held tight, I’d stopped struggling as the two men dragged me out the back entrance of the cave. My efforts to escape hadn’t made any difference, so I’d decided to save my strength for later. If there was a later. Fear pulsed through me.

They halted to let their eyes adjust in the predawn light. Four others waited for us. All wearing black clothing and hoods that exposed no skin, like my captors. The three soldiers who had been stationed to guard the cave lay on the ground. Knocked unconscious and not dead, I hoped.

“This way,” one said, gesturing. “Quickly.”

We followed. After a few steps, the trees rustled. Thuds followed curses and yells. The two holding me fell forward, pushing me down as something heavy landed on top of us. Pain ringed my chest and all my breath whooshed out.

More cries sounded before the weight lifted off my back. I curled into a ball, gasping for air. Once my noisy inhalations eased, other noises of a scuffle reached me.

“Area secured,” a voice said.

“Send a team to sweep the cave,” another ordered.

“What’s the status on the frontal assault?” a familiar voice asked.

Odd? I sat up, wiping dirt from my face. Odd stood amid a group of soldiers.

“The remaining ambushers have retreated. Should we give chase, Sergeant?”

Odd glanced at me. “No. Join the others and help with the evacuation.”

Evacuation? I struggled to my feet.

Odd helped me stand. He pulled a leaf from my hair. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Thanks. What’s—”

“I’ll explain later. Come on.” He sheathed his sword and strode away.

I didn’t follow.

Odd stopped. “You’re a target, Avry. We need to get you to a more secured location.”

“And I need my boots and pack.” The rising sun wouldn’t dispel the cold air until much later.

“Prince Ryne ordered—”

“I don’t care.”

“You should. If it wasn’t for him, my squad wouldn’t have been here to rescue you.”

Interesting. “How long have you been here?” I asked.

“A couple days. He suspected Cellina would send a unit after you.”

“So you allowed them inside the cave?” Had I been used for another one of Ryne’s tactics?

“Uh...” He rubbed a hand over his face.

And that would be a yes. I waited.

“Prince Ryne wanted us to make sure they—”

Refusing to listen to the rest, I checked on the three soldiers who’d been guarding the cave. All alive, but with nasty bumps on their heads. Relieved, I called over a handful of soldiers and asked them to carry the men inside. They looked at Odd for permission. He fisted his hands, but then nodded.

I headed into the cave and almost ran into the monkeys and Flea.

“Told you,” Flea said. “I knew she wouldn’t leave.”

“Why would I leave?” I asked.

“For your safety.” Loren glanced at Odd looming behind me.

I rounded on Loren. “So you knew about this, too?”

“Only since one of his men informed us of their plans.”

“When was this?” I demanded.

“About five minutes ago.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“You should still go.” Quain held my pack and boots out.

“Not until I make sure my patients are in good shape to travel.”

“They are. You know that, Avry,” Flea said.

And he knew it, too. Shoot. No one else had their packs. “What about you guys?”

“We’ll help with the evacuation and meet you at the new site,” Loren said.

“Fine.” I snatched my stuff from Quain. Sitting down, I yanked on my boots then stood. I gave each of them a stern look. “You be extra careful. Okay?”