“That’s a no,” Jadren said.

“That’s a maybe,” Gabriel retorted. Assured that Nic had her situation in hand, he swung up on Vale. “Getting on your horse now ups our chances,” he told Jadren.

Jadren squinted at the onrushing river of hunters. “I’ll play rearguard,” he decided.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Nic fired at him. “You can’t fight them.”

He brandished his machete with a broad grin. “We made more enchanted weapons, Lady Phel. I’m a wicked-good hunter slayer now.”

Gabriel nearly rolled his eyes, gratified when Nic actually did.

“You can’t stay,” Alise said, sidling her horse close. “You’ll be slaughtered.”

“I didn’t know you cared, baby Elal.” He snickered.

Alise’s eyes flashed. “I’ll stay with you, then.”

“No.” Jadren was firm. “You have to stay with them, guard them from those spirits of your father’s. This is something I can do.”

“I’ll stay,” Han offered, still on the ground, holding his sword. “I can offer magic and a second enchanted blade.”

“I’m staying, too,” Selly declared, dismounting again. “I still have a lot of magic left, if Jadren can figure out something useful to do with it.”

“Charming,” he retorted, and she grinned, brandishing her bow and quiver.

“Plus I have a lot of arrows,” she added. Gabriel was opening his mouth to argue when she pinned him with a severe look. “Don’t try to tell me not to do this,” she warned. “You have Nic back. Get her home and safe. We’ll be right behind you.”

He had to swallow his fear for her, but he nodded. “See you at home.”

Selly faltered, as if she’d been prepared to argue more, then nodded. “Tell Mom not to worry so much.”

A laugh burst out of Gabriel. “I’ll let you tell her that.”

“Coward.”

“You know it.” They shared a smile, and it was if the years had faded away, memories rushing back of how close he and Selly had once been. “It’s good to have you back,” he told her. “Don’t screw that up.”

“I hate to say it,” Nic put in, “but Han should come with us. If House Sammael gets their hands on him, Sabrina will bond him, or they’ll use him as leverage.”

“We know how determined those hunters will be to take him,” Gabriel agreed.

Han hesitated, clearly torn. Jadren clapped him on the shoulder. “Give me a last shot of magic and go. Lady Phel is right on this one.”

In another moment, they were off, leaving Jadren and Selly with all the enchanted weapons they could spare. Gabriel had to force himself not to look over his shoulder, hoping it wouldn’t be his last glimpse of the sister he’d only just regained.

Riding hard with nothing between her and the saddle was an excruciating experience, but Nic gritted down and revealed no sign of discomfort. Gabriel, Alise, and the others, who owed her nothing, had suffered more to rescue her. Besides, any pain was worth being free again. In truth, she could hardly believe that she was free. Part of her suspected she remained in the tower room, imprisoned and tormented, hallucinating about being with her husband, family, and friends again. It would be exactly the sort of mental torment a Hanneil thought-seeker would use to break her spirit and will. Offer her everything, only to yank it away.