Evin swallowed, twisting the quill and working it deeper into the knot. The shaft of the quill was softer than any other tool he’d used before and he felt it begin to snap from the stress. Holding his breath, he made one last twist.

“Hmm,” Hennea said as she stood and tapped her finger against her sagging chin. “Eenie, meenie, miney … you.” Lowering her finger, she pointed directly at Betilivatis.

“No!” Jorick cried.

“No!” Bet’s scream echoed as the Swamp Witch kneeled over her and grabbed her by the middle. Bet struggled, worming her way out of Hennea’s grasp, and the woman clucked in irritation.

“Dear!” she shouted. “Are you quite certain I can’t use any paralyzing spells on these three?”

“If you do, I will have to kill you, my dear wife!” Sefron’s voice called down from the roof of the keep. “Any spells cast on these children so soon before the ritual will taint their blood and thus taint my ritual.”

“Blast,” Hennea muttered, then shifted to get a better grip on Bet.

“Leave me alone!” Bet cried.

“Get off of her!” Jorick shouted. He struggled to get to his feet, his back still against the bookcase.

Hennea finally manage to pick up the girl in two meaty arms and slam her down against the metal slab with a heavy thud. Moving fast, she strapped Bet’s arms above her head with the leather strap, then moved to her feet.

As she did, the knot keeping Evin’s hands tied finally loosened, and his fingers untangled the rope around his wrist. Letting the rope fall to the carpet, he shot his arms forward and quickly worked to untie the rope around his ankles.

Bet struggled to breathe on the slab as Hennea pulled the strap around her legs, holding her in place. The woman dusted off her hands, surveying her work, her back to Evin.

“Perfect,” she said, craning her neck to look up at the round grating above. “She is ready, my dear!”

“Then stand back,” Sefron called down.

On his feet now, Jorick hopped forward, then stumbled over his feet and fell to the floor. “No!”

At the same time, the tip of a clear spear appeared in a hole in the center of the grating. In a flash, the spear sliced down through the room, directly at Bet’s heart.

Her lips parted to let out a scream, though no sound escaped.

Hennea cackled as she watched the spear fall—and then let out a startled cry as Evin barreled into her back. The squat, round woman landed on top of Bet, her vast body completely covering Bet’s torso.

Evin leaped back as the crystal spear impaled the Swamp Witch through her chest, killing her instantly.