Noak’s grip tightened. “There’s another.”

“Another what?”

“Bond. Deep inside, but there.” Noak thumped his chest.

“Bond?”

“You are linked to Magic Man and this other.”

Fear melted the ice. “Who?”

“Another man of magic. Stronger than Magic Man, but his link to you is weaker for now.”

Tohon? But he was encased in a stasis. Or so we believed. “How do I break that link?”

“This other must die.”

Kerrick

KERRICK

A teapot crashed to the hearth, shattering into pieces—just like Kerrick’s thoughts.

“Belen’s here?” he asked Mom.

Mom frowned at the destroyed teapot. Small shards littered the bricks around Flea’s feet. “No. He left a few days ago.”

Flea jumped down. “Where did he go?”

“South to spy on that nasty Skeleton King.” Mom tsked. “I told him to wait until he was fully healed, but the big oaf had it in his thick head to go investigate.”

Now Kerrick needed to sit down. He sank into a chair. “Wait. Belen’s injured?”

She glanced at Kerrick and then Flea. “My goodness, didn’t you get my message?” Mom clasped her hands together. “No wonder you’re in such a state.”

“Can you start at the beginning, please?” Kerrick asked.

“Of course, dearie. Mr. Belen arrived at my door about a week after midsummer’s day. The poor man’s head was cracked open. He had dozens of cuts, bruises, and a handful of stab wounds. His right arm had been broken in two places and his left ankle was shredded. Something had chewed right through his leather boot.” She shook her head. “Those injuries should have killed him. But there he stood, swaying on his feet, dripping blood on my clean floors and insisting all he needed was a piece of pie and a good night’s sleep.”

Kerrick smiled. “That’s Belen.”

“We managed to get him into a bed before he collapsed. He slept for so long, I’d feared he’d never wake up.”

“How long?” Flea asked.

“Two months! I sent a message to Avry right after he’d arrived.”

“Zabin was under attack then,” Flea said.

“I heard the news later, and figured it was the reason Avry didn’t come. But I’d hoped the note made it to her.”

Kerrick considered. The message was probably intercepted by Tohon’s army, which would explain why Tohon lied to Avry about Belen getting captured. He’d known Belen’s situation and location.