“It’s just berries,” he said, holding them out as best he could. The cat growled and came closer, tail swishing as it stuck its nose into Tristam’s hand. Tristam held very still. There was a movement in the corner of his eye, but instinctively he knew not to look. A moment later, he heard a loud crack. The cat staggered back to reveal Kyra brandishing a rock. She followed her first blow with another to the beast’s head. For a moment, the cat looked dazed. Then it launched itself at Kyra. The girl barely had time to dart away—right into Tristam. Pain streaked through his shoulder. He felt something heavy drop into his palm. Kyra wobbled and looked into his eyes as she steadied herself. Then she ran, the demon cat close on her heels.

Tristam closed his fingers over the new object. It was a knife—Kyra had found his knife. His guard, as far as he could tell, was still chasing Kyra and hadn’t noticed. Tristam took a slow breath. His arms were completely bound, and he could only move his wrists and fingers. If he dropped the dagger…well, he wouldn’t. Slowly, he eased off the leather sheath and let it fall. If he twisted his wrist, he could just graze the ropes with the blade.

The cat chased Kyra up a tree and into the higher branches. Tristam kept an eye on them as he worked. As strand by strand gave way, the ropes loosened, and he sawed more quickly. Finally, his arms came free and Tristam pulled at the rest until they lay in a pile on the ground. He took a step and grabbed the tree for support as a million invisible needles attacked his limbs.

There was a loud crack, followed by a crash. Tristam looked up to find Kyra crumpled on the ground, surrounded by leaves and twigs. A few paces away, the demon cat crouched, also disoriented. Then it stood up, shook itself, and limped toward Kyra. The girl lifted her head, making no move to defend herself.

Tristam lurched toward the cat with the knife, aiming for the tender flesh under its neck. The beast whipped around, and Tristam brought the knife down, angling the blade so it slipped between strands of fur. The dagger lodged in the demon cat’s shoulder. The animal roared in fury. Desperately scrambling for another weapon, Tristam grabbed a large branch and put all his remaining strength behind his attack, pummeling the creature as hard as he could. One hit connected with the base of the demon cat’s skull, and the beast sank to the ground.

Kyra groaned, and Tristam turned to see her slowly push herself to her feet.

“That was a bad idea,” she said.

“Was our earlier conversation all an act?”