Flea nodded and, calling for the others to follow him, he ran. The women formed a single line. Many glanced at him as they passed. They regarded him with a variety of expressions, mostly curious, but the ones clutching swords shot him hostile glares as if he’d dare to attack them. No one said a word. Strange and smart.

The women continued to race by. Kerrick scanned the faces, searching for Avry. An amazing number of people gushed from the tunnel. And he fully expected priests to be close on their heels.

After the main surge finished, the slower escapees—the wounded and those supporting them—trickled out. Avry should be with this group. Instead, Odd and his men assisted them.

Kerrick didn’t hesitate. He approached Odd. A woman covered in blood and gripping an equally bloody sword stopped and stepped close to Odd as if to protect him. Kerrick ignored her. “Where’s Avry?” he asked Odd.

Surprised, Odd glanced around. “Didn’t she come out?”

“No.”

“She should have.”

Kerrick stifled the desire to strangle the man. “That doesn’t help.”

Odd exchanged a look with the woman. “I thought she was ahead of us.”

“She was carrying Palma,” the woman said.

“Palma was injured, right?” Kerrick asked even though he knew the answer.

“Yes, badly. She—”

Odd cursed. “She stopped to heal her.”

“But I didn’t see anyone. I made sure we were the last and I extinguished the lanterns,” the woman said.

“Avry probably ducked down a side tunnel so no one would stop to help and risk getting caught,” Kerrick said. “Is anyone chasing you?”

“No one from the monastery—the women were thorough, but I’m sure the priests will organize a posse to come after us,” Odd said. He cursed again. “Fydelia, you catch up with your ladies. Kerrick and I will go back and find Avry before they do.”

If Odd had stabbed him in the stomach, it would have felt better than knowing Avry was in trouble nearby and he couldn’t help her.

“I can’t.” Kerrick forced the words out.

* * *

He watched Odd enter the tunnels. The sergeant carried a torch and Kerrick’s life. If something happened to Avry... He stopped his dire thoughts. Instead, he prepared to intercept the priests and guards from the monastery.

Kerrick expected dozens to chase after the women. What he didn’t expect was Jael exiting the aqueducts holding a bloody sword.

Shocked, he observed her. Jael wore a penitent robe. Surely she hadn’t been incarcerated, too. What was her game? Her beautiful face was creased into a scowl as she scanned the woods. The trail left by the women was clear. At least she was alone. For now.