Ram, ram, ram. Yes! New cracks spread. So close to freedom. The closest he’d ever come. Emboldened, he rolled back and lurched forward. Again. And again.

Suddenly, large wedges of ice tumbled from Knox’s pillar, freeing his head and torso. As the male popped the bones in his neck and rotated his shoulders, breath misted in front of his face and rapture lit his features.

Envy and fear consumed Bane. Hurry! He fought harder, ignoring every prickle of agony. RAM, RAM.

The females must have heard the commotion. They returned in a rush, their shock and terror palpable.

Urgency owned Bane. Get to Nolalee. Protect her, protect your vengeance.

Knox pointed at the women and snapped, “You will stay put. Do not run.”

“You’re talking. You’re talking, and you’re alive,” Vale babbled. “You’re alive, and you’re real.”

Bane thought he picked up Nolalee’s thoughts.

—Part of me knew they were real, but the other part of me was so sure I was wrong. Yes. I must be wrong, my delusion strong enough to affect Vale.—

A crazed gleam entered her starry eyes. Voice rising several octaves, she said, “He’s not real. He’s just...not.” She clasped Vale’s hand, as if desperate for a lifeline. “Right? Hypothermia causes hallucinations. Right?”

What had made her think she’d be better off without a real warrior at her side?

Once again, Bane projected his voice into her head. —Run! The freeman is Knox, a dangerous killer. I will escape and find you.—

She remained in place, her mouth floundering open and closed.

Fury and fear collided inside him. He tried again. —Do you want to die, you foolish girl? Help me help you. Run!—

Again, she remained in place and worked her mouth. Had fright stolen her wits?

How was this girl going to defeat Aveline?

Knox kicked away the final block of ice and stalked across the cavern, a dagger in each hand. The warrior’s target: the Rod of Clima.

Erik the Widow Maker had left the weapon close yet beyond the assembly’s boundary, ensuring it remained active, summoning a continual snowfall. Even still, the past few years, the frost had started to melt on its own. Either the temperature outside had risen, or the weapon’s potency had dulled. Perhaps the females were responsible.

Either way, Erik was the only one able to activate and deactivate the Rod, but everyone else could break it, removing it from the war.

“We need to leave.” A pallid Vale tugged Nola toward the exit, insistent. “Now!”

Her words spurred Knox to change directions. He strode to the females and reached out. Bane bellowed with rage, going silent only when the bastard caressed the blonde’s cheek, ignoring Nolalee.

A look of utter bliss softened Knox’s overly harsh features. Vale’s eyes widened, black spilling over hazel. Nolalee gaped, tremors threatening to knock her off her feet.