We worked as fast as possible. While the kids went deeper into the garden, I stayed on the outer rows. Because of the plague symptoms, I moved slower than the kids. I hoped I would get them to safety before I entered stage three.

Dawn was only a couple of hours away when we finished. At least I succeeded in one more thing. Tohon would have to plant a whole new garden of Death Lilys and wait for the Lilys to mature before he could start again. Perhaps by then Ryne and Estrid would be victorious.

The three of us cut through the dying garden to the back wall. Danny and Zila hesitated when they spotted the Peace Lilys. I assured them they wouldn’t be snatched. We pushed through to the wall.

Danny climbed over first, then Zila and I followed. As I crested the top, I felt no guilt in breaking my word to Tohon. Kerrick had been right. Tohon was a madman and there was no way I’d leave Danny and Zila in his care.

A surprised cry sounded as I dropped to the ground. I straightened and spun. Standing at the edge of the forest, Tohon held Zila, and Sepp had Danny’s arm twisted behind his back. I almost wilted in defeat right there. Damn.

“So predictable, Avry,” Tohon said. “I puzzled over why you would stay behind once Ryne had been rescued. Then I figured you had discovered my experimental children. Once I understood, all I had to do was assign a nurse to watch and wait. You didn’t disappoint.”

I glanced around, counting the soldiers. He’d brought six guards.

“You don’t think we needed an army to handle a couple of kids and a dying healer?” Sepp’s sneering tone bordered on incredulity.

“A healer who saved your life. As I recall, you almost died because Tohon had his dead soldiers capture me on my way to the cave. If it wasn’t for Kerrick’s timely rescue, you would not have survived your injuries.”

Sepp glanced at Tohon with anger and horror creasing his brow. I used the distraction to pull a couple throwing knives.

“Don’t listen to her,” Tohon said. “I allowed Kerrick to rescue her. I needed to touch her before they discovered Ryne was missing to ensure she’d return to me.” He studied me. “Is that all you have?”

It might not have helped me now, but I had planted a seed of doubt in Sepp’s twisted mind. “I have this.” I brandished my weapons.

“And if you move, I’ll hurt this little girl. So I suggest you drop all your knives on the ground,” Tohon said.

When I didn’t, Zila cried out in pain. I tossed my weapons down.

“Now, lead the way back to the castle. If you try anything stupid, I’ll hurt her again.”

I noticed movement along the ground in my peripheral vision, but I kept my gaze on Tohon. “How could I do anything, Tohon? All I have left are these.” I reached into my pocket slowly and withdrew my stones.

“What are they?” Sepp asked.

“Juggling stones. See?” I juggled the three rocks. Belen was right. They were the perfect size and weight. I did a bunch of tricks, reversing direction, throwing them high, then low, using one hand and doing a spin-throw combination.

Tohon and Sepp looked at me as if I’d lost my mind, but the guards and the kids watched fascinated. Good. No one noticed the vines creeping around their legs. And Kerrick had called me stubborn. The man was supposed to be long gone by now.

At the first shout of alarm, I threw my rocks as hard and fast as I could. One hit Tohon square on the forehead. The second cracked Sepp in his temple. Both men let go of their hostages when hit.

“Run,” I yelled to Danny and Zila.

They bolted into the woods as Kerrick, Ryne, Quain and Loren took advantage of the surprised guards whose feet were entangled in the vines. I dove for my knives.

But Tohon had already read the situation. Knowing his guards wouldn’t last long, he took off with Sepp close on his heels, heading back to the safety of his castle. And a lot more than six guards. I moved to give chase, but Kerrick clamped his hand on my shoulder, stopping me.

“We’re in enemy territory. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of Tohon another day,” he said. “Find the kids, we need to go. It’s not safe here.”

“No, it isn’t. You should be long gone by now.”

“Frustrating when someone doesn’t follow logic and common sense. Isn’t it?”

I opened my mouth, but he said, “We can argue about it later.”

I nodded and searched the woods for Danny and Zila. They hid under a bush. I coaxed them from their hiding spot and held their hands as we followed Kerrick to the north.

It was the longest, hardest, most exhausting trek in my entire life. Every inch of my body ached. Chills followed flashes of heat. Sweat gushed from my skin only to freeze a few minutes later.

The forest blurred into a green-hued watercolor painting. I lost track of time. When my body reached its limit, I tripped over my own feet and fell flat on my face. Content to remain there, I waved the others on. They wouldn’t leave me. Picked up and cradled like a baby, I nestled against Kerrick’s chest and fell asleep.

I woke…later. A bright campfire burned. Shadows danced on stone walls. Another one of Kerrick’s caves. I almost groaned aloud.

“Avry? How do you feel?” Ryne asked.

“Like I’ve been squashed by Belen.”

He laughed. “At least you still have your sense of humor.”

I sat up. The cave spun and I put my head in my hands to keep from passing out.

“Here, eat.” Ryne held out a bowl of meat. “It’s fresh venison.”