But staying with Bane meant endangering him. What if Zion’s dream came true? Once, Nola would have laughed about the very idea. Her? Kill someone? Please! But if ever she lost control of her dark side...

Someone’s gonna get cut.

“The magic pills must be working,” Zion said, racing up, up a dark hill with Nola clutched against his chest. “You haven’t vomited on me...again.”

Her cheeks heated. Earlier this morning, she’d barfed on his shoes as he’d portaled her to the heart of Denver, Colorado. “Are you complaining? I’m sure I can rustle up more bile, if it’ll brighten your day.”

“No, thank you.” With awe-inspiring stamina, Zion maintained a swift, steady pace, never huffing or puffing. He dodged towering trees, bits of cotton twirling on a soft breeze.

Looked like snow was falling. Reminded her of Russia. Russia reminded her of Bane. Beautiful Bane, who’d claimed he only wanted to screw her. Knowledgeable Bane, who had answers about her past, present and future. Injured Bane, who she’d abandoned yet again. Vulnerable Bane, the warrior she kinda sorta already...missed.

A crown of foliage blocked beams of moonlight. Frogs, locusts and crickets sang a midnight lullaby. Croak. Buzz. Chirp.

“I’m sure you have questions,” Zion said.

Where to start? “You can freeze time, huh?” The people who’d milled around them had halted, not even seeming to breathe. Then, as Zion had carted her away, they’d started moving again, unaware minutes had passed.

“No. I manipulate energy, a far better skill.” He looked left, right, then over his shoulder, on the lookout for a certain golden shadow. Then he used his free hand to open a portal. Just before he stepped through, he tensed and muttered, “Someone other than Bane invaded my dimension.”

“How do you know?” Nothing looked out of place.

He motioned to a spot beyond a cluster of trees, and Nola cast her gaze over the lush, sunlit jungle—a hard breath clogged her throat. A severed leg dangled from a gnarled limb, blood dripping, pooling on the ground.

Her stomach performed a series of backflips. Had Bane opened a portal for someone else, since he’d been unable to visit the dimension himself, thanks to her command?

She wouldn’t put anything past him. His savagery... The man had disemboweled Zion and stabbed him between the eyes...and she’d been both horrified and excited by it, a shocking combination.

Maybe she had multiple personalities? Light Nola and Dark Nola.

“This is Erik’s doing,” Zion snarled.

“How do you know?” she repeated.

“He’s the one who placed cameras throughout the ice mountains. He must have watched me enter or leave the dimension. Without my knowledge.” He sounded incredulous.

The portal closed, wind whooshing, locks of hair dancing against her cheek.

He trudged down the other side of the hill, saying, “We will remain in this dimension, but leave Colorado.”