“Who gave you permission to speak?”

This time I kept my mouth shut.

“That’s better. Next time I hear a sound from you or your friend, I’ll take you both down to the crypt. Understand?” He gave me a significant look.

I nodded. Odd wanted me and Melina to get into trouble together. Perhaps he’d worked out an escape route from the crypt.

When, I mouthed.

“Before prayers,” he whispered then pushed me back into line, disrupting the flow.

Cheered by the thought of getting out of here, I ate without gagging at the taste of the food. Now I needed to convince Fydelia to deliver that message to Melina. And if she wouldn’t, I’d try another tactic.

However, in the slight confusion of visiting the privy before reporting to our towers, Melina found me.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me aside. No guards lurked in this section of the corridor, but it wouldn’t last.

“What are you doing here?” she whispered. No time for niceties.

“I came to rescue you. Again.” I couldn’t resist adding that.

Incredulous, she gaped at me.

“Get taken to the crypts before prayers tomorrow. Trust me, we have it all worked out.” I hoped.

“Rescue me?” she asked.

“Of course.”

“No.”

Now it was my turn to gape. “You want to stay here?”

“No, but I can’t leave them, Avry. You’ve seen what goes on in here. We have to rescue them all.”

Kerrick

KERRICK

For the third time since he’d known Avry, he watched her walk away, heading right into danger. Each time, he’d felt powerless and sick to his stomach despite the very good reasons for him to stay behind. Or, in the case of her going undercover in Estrid’s holy army, for them to split up. Ignoring the logic for a moment, Kerrick wished he could go all caveman on her. Drag her to a safe location, order her to not leave his sight, and protect her.

Of course, she’d fight and he’d only get two steps before she’d zap him. And if he’d been attracted to meek women, he’d have married that beautiful mouse his mother had tried to push on him ten years ago. Not for him. And those qualities he loved about Avry—smart, independent, selfless, and stubborn—were what drove her to risk her life for others.

Kerrick had followed Avry and the others until they’d reached Chinska Mare. Then he stood at the edge of the forest as they waited in line to enter the city. After they passed through the gate, he returned to the horses.

Once they rescued Melina, they wouldn’t need the horses. Better to elude pursuers without the noisy creatures. Yet... Kerrick studied the big russet male. Despite his size, the stallion walked with a light graceful step. And he hadn’t spooked. Not once.