Minutes later, some kind of starting bell sounded. The warriors leaped into action, attacking each other. As Bane had warned, there was blood, and a lot of it. There was violence and pain. To her awe and amazement, Vale held her own against every opponent. Anytime she needed help, Bane rushed to the rescue. Not that she or Knox realized it.

Moving with the controlled grace of a jungle cat, Bane took out anyone who locked their sights on the couple, even when he had to injure Knox to remove him from the line of fire. Even when his own life was endangered, with different warriors making a play for his head and an army hidden on the mountaintops, firing long-range rifles. As bullets ripped through Bane and Zion, Nola’s stomach churned.

“Erik rallied another army,” she said, appalled.

“Yes,” Bane replied, his teeth gritted.

In the memory, Bane plowed into a man who was sneaking up on Zion. The two fell, the wound in Bane’s shoulder deepening. Blood loss slowed his reflexes and erased his control.

A glowing whip wrapped around his wrist and yanked him backward. He shuddered, looking like he was trapped in a grand mal seizure. The whip had an electrical charge.

Nola had to remind herself Bane had survived, and he was with her now. But oh, if she could dive into the memory and kill the one with the whip, she would do it with a smile. The pain her beasty-boy must have experienced as he’d fought his way free.

When that wreck-causing witch Petra challenged Bane and Vale, things got dicey. Knox sprinted over to help her sister, but Petra slammed her sword into the ground. An ice tower grew, blocking his progress. Unfortunately, the tower served double duty, hiding Ronan, who shadowed Knox’s every move, waiting for the perfect time to strike. Bane saw him, though.

Merely pushing Knox out of the way would do no good; the guy was far too strong. So, Bane did the only thing he could. He slashed Knox with his claws. The wound sent the warrior crashing to the ground, Ronan’s sword swinging over his head.

Vale raced around the tower, saw what Bane had done and assumed the worst. Unleashing a battle cry, she stabbed him in the gut. And he let her. Because the alternative was hurting her.

Nola groaned, a hand fluttering to her mouth. “Oh, Bane. I’m so sorry.”

“There was some kind of poison on her blade. I went motionless for several seconds, unable to move.”

Yes, she watched as Knox lifted a sword of his own, intending to remove the motionless Bane’s head. But Zion saved the day, knocking Bane out of harm’s way.

“Colt escapes,” past Zion said, vaulting to his feet. He, too, bore countless injuries.