He had a point. I mulled over the problem. Perhaps when we stopped at HQ, I could take a look at those maps—I gasped as an idea flashed. When I glanced up, Quain stared at me from Coffee’s back.

“Oh, no,” Quain said. “I recognize that look. It means trouble.”

“It means she has a plan,” Loren corrected.

“Same difference,” Quain muttered.

“Are you going to share?” Flea asked me.

“We’ll meet at Ryne’s HQ,” I said.

Kerrick jumped on that. “Meet?”

“Yes, meet. I can’t connect with Tohon if I’m with you. We’ll split up into two groups.” I touched his shoulder, stopping Kerrick’s outburst. “We should be safe. As long as we avoid Grzebien, there’s nothing between here and Victibus.”

Clearly not happy, Kerrick asked, “Why can’t we travel together and just sleep apart?”

“I think there needs to be some distance between us.”

“Won’t that strengthen his bond with you?”

Ah, the real problem. “A little, but we need to know where he is.”

“It’ll only be five days on horseback,” Quain said.

Kerrick glared at Quain.

“Hush,” Loren said to Quain. “Let Mommy and Daddy fight.”

“Will you be able to keep our secrets from him?” Kerrick asked.

A good question. “He lied to me in the dreams, so I should be able to lie to him, too.” I hoped.

“How about we just separate the last night?”

“The dreams usually start a couple days after you’re gone.” I shifted closer to Kerrick. “It’ll be fine.”

His shoulders sagged. “All right, but I decide who goes with you.”

“Custody battle,” Loren quipped.

I scowled at him, but Loren just smiled. Squeezing Kerrick’s waist, I said, “All right.”

“Belen and the monkeys will go with you. Flea stays with me.”

A protest died in my throat. Hard to split three horses evenly. “Okay.”

“We’ll split up after our first rest stop.”

“Yes, sir.”

Loren beamed. “Aww—”

* * *

Kerrick woke me before checking on the horses. It took me a moment to remember where we were—in the woods. My arms and chest muscles had stiffened while I slept. I pushed up my sleeve and took a quick peek. Purple and red welts ringed the still-tender bite marks. The wounds should have been further along in the healing process, but I’d given most of my magical energy to Kerrick.

Belen approached and I tugged my cuff down, covering the bruises.

He inclined his head at my arm. “Is there a reason you haven’t told anyone about those?”

“I mentioned it yesterday.”

“One bite is a far cry from what he did to you.”

“It’s in the past. No need to worry anyone. They’ll heal.” I stood and rolled up my blanket.

“You mean, no need to worry Kerrick,” he corrected.

“Yes.”

“He’ll find out eventually. Just like the dreams.”