Fear and revulsion fueled my efforts to break free. Frantic I pressed my hand on one man’s face, zapping him. Of course, it didn’t slow my progress. I covered another’s eyes. No effect.

If only they obeyed me like Yuri. But he didn’t obey me until I touched him again. Why not? I gasped. Flea! Flea had checked Yuri’s pulse after I awoke him to confirm Yuri’s status. That was why Yuri didn’t listen to me until after I touched him the second time.

I reached for the closest dead flesh and yelled, “Stop!”

He did. Ecstatic, I touched the ones near me, ordering them to stop. However, others pressed in, trapping my arms. They passed me up the steep slope and right into the waiting arms of Tohon.

* * *

Tohon smiled. “Fancy meeting you here, my dear.”

I grabbed his throat, intending to squeeze the life from him. But two living soldiers pulled me off him and yanked my arms behind my back. At least two dozen others fanned out around the tunnel’s exit along with a half dozen dead ufas.

“Bind her hands,” Tohon ordered. “You try my patience, my dear.”

Cold metal bit into my wrists—an all-too-familiar feeling.

“How did you know?” I asked.

“Your sleep powder actually worked in my favor. I could rifle through your thoughts without your waking or remembering my presence.” Tohon gestured to his guards. “Take care of anyone who makes it out of the tunnel.”

“Yes, sire.”

“No!” I said.

They all ignored me.

“Don’t, Tohon, I’ll...”

“You’ll what?” Tohon asked. “Cooperate? Promise not to kill me? Agree to be my queen? It’s too late for that.” He stepped closer to me. “No doubt you’re smart. It’s no surprise you figured out that the dead obey whichever magician touches them last. So let’s not pretend you don’t know what else is going on between us.”

“You can’t claim me, Tohon. You tried before and failed.”

“And now I know why. With two magicians, one can’t force it on the other. It grows with time and the use of magic. That’s the beauty of this...bond.” He savored the word.

My stomach churned with bile.

“Do you remember the first time we met?” Tohon asked.

“Unfortunately.” It had also been my first run-in with his dead.

“During our brief encounter, I imprinted on you and started the process. Sheer happenstance.” He swung his arm wide. “I’ve been learning all about this wonderful quirk of our magic while waiting for you.”

Ah. The real reason he’d been camping in the ruins of the Healer’s Guild—the underground storage room with all those crates full of research notes.

Tohon linked his arm through mine. “Now, let’s go get into position so we’re ready for Team Kerrick. I believe they’re attacking two hours after midnight.”