The woman gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. “No, you won’t.” She made a sharp gesture with her fingers. The cats lowered their heads and growled. Again, Tristam reached for his blade. He’d go for the woman first. Run her through before the cats fell on him.

“Call off your pets.” Martin’s voice sounded clearly through the trees. Tristam turned to see him with an arrow nocked and aimed at the Demon Rider.

Her eyes narrowed. As if responding to some unseen signal, the still-growling cats stepped back. For a moment, Tristam stared dumbfounded. Then he scrambled into action, drawing his dagger and moving behind the Demon Rider, careful never to step between her and Martin’s bow.

“Martin’s an excellent shot.” He forced the woman’s arms behind her and pressed the dagger into her back. He had never seen Martin at the archery range, but confidence, real or feigned, was the only way they’d get out of there alive. “Don’t test him. You’re coming with us.” He turned to Martin. “You have a rope?”

Martin slowly lowered his bow and untied a rope from his belt. Tristam watched the cats nervously as he bound the woman’s hands. She didn’t resist him, but there wasn’t a hint of fear in her muscles. Though—he snuck another glance at the demon cats—why would she be afraid? She wasn’t the one holding two gigantic beasts at bay with a dagger.

One of the wildcats hissed.

“If your cats come any closer, you’re dead,” Tristam said, pulling the rope tight. “You better make sure they behave themselves.”

“The cats will kill you if you try to take me.”

“I believe you,” said Tristam. “But you’re still going to escort us safely to the road. We’ll let you go when we get there.”

The woman’s eyes passed over the two of them, calculating, and Tristam started her moving before she had a chance to call their bluff. To Tristam’s relief, the cats stayed back. He hardly breathed as they dragged their prisoner toward the horses. The cats followed them from a distance, never getting too close, but always poised to spring. There was an unsettling intelligence in their eyes. Tristam somehow got the sense that they knew exactly what was going on.

“Martin, keep an eye on those…creatures.” Last thing he needed was for one to ignore his master’s command and come to her rescue.