I glanced back. No activity at the mouth of the tunnel. Pain clamped around my heart. Maybe the quiet meant my team had retreated deeper in the mines. Beau did know his way around. I clung to that bit of hope.

The hope expanded a smidge when half of Tohon’s men followed us to the guild with the dead ufas trotting beside them, leaving only a dozen soldiers behind. From the angle of the sun, it was just past midafternoon. I also clutched the fact Kerrick knew about my dreams. Never had I been so glad to be lied to.

Tohon chatted about what he’d learned about the bond. Half-distracted with worry for Kerrick and my team, I didn’t fully listen. Noak had told me Tohon’s death would break the bond and that was all I needed.

“...will result in the immediate death of the other,” Tohon said.

That caught my attention. “Even if the other isn’t hurt?”

“Yes. So it’ll be in my best interest to keep you alive, my dear. And vice versa.”

A tightness ringed my chest. Breathing became difficult. Don’t panic, I repeated in my mind. “Except we’re not... We haven’t...completed the process.”

“Not yet. Kerrick must die or go dormant. After that, we’ll be bonded.”

“And I’ll have an excellent reason to commit suicide.”

“Now, now, my dear. Don’t be nasty. Do you remember how your body reacts to my touch?”

“Unfortunately.”

“I believe your words were scatterbrained and swooning. Well, I tried clearheaded and cooperative, and was tricked. Then I tried threatening you, scaring you, and killing your sister. Yet, you resisted every effort and almost killed me in the process.” He tsked. “Once we’re bonded, I will ensure that quick intelligence of yours is turned to goo. I will enjoy scatterbrained and swooning Avry very much.”

Even more motive to commit suicide, but I clamped my mouth shut for the remainder of the trip to the Healer’s Guild.

When we arrived, Tohon shook his head. “Such a waste. The buildings were magnificent. Perhaps I’ll have them rebuilt. Would you like that, my dear?”

Actually, I would. Very much. “Yes.”

“Don’t sound so surprised. I do care about the Fifteen Realms. So much so that I want to unite us all so we can prosper and grow.”

Again, I refrained from commenting. While his goal was admirable, his methods were not. No amount of arguing would change his mind. He’d convinced himself that his actions had been with the purest intentions. That murdering six million people wasn’t a crime when you called it biological warfare. That reanimating the dead was making the most of your limited resources and not morally repugnant.

Instead, I asked, “How did you protect your...er...friends from the first plague virus?”

“Ah. I wondered when you’d ask me that. Although, I think you’ve already figured it out.”