So Angel related the details of her battle with Culph’s companion, the four-legged demon that had tracked her all the way from Los Angeles, first as the spiky-haired blond female and later as a wolfish beast. How much farther it might have evolved was a matter of speculation, but it had been dangerous enough at the end to almost finish her. As it was, she had been unable to do more than crawl uphill in the general direction of the entrance to the ice caves before she passed out. For her part, she said nothing of her dream of Johnny and the sense that he had led her to a waiting death to which she had been willing to give herself over.

She took a deep breath against the inevitable pain and tried to raise herself to a sitting position. She failed and lay back again. “You’ll have to help me up,” she told them.

“We’ll have to carry you, is what we’ll have to do,” Simralin observed. “Don’t try to rush this.”

“I’m trying not to. But I know what’s at stake. Kirisin has to get back to the Cintra. He has to use the Loden to save the Elves. Otherwise, this has all been for nothing.”

Simralin nodded. “Kirisin will get his chance. But first we have to do something about you.”

“You have to take me with you.”

Simralin actually laughed. “Now there’s a good plan. Why didn’t I think of it?”

“I mean it, Simralin. You have to take me with you. It is the mission I was given—to be your protector. I can’t let you go alone.”

“Well, I don’t think this is your decision.” The Tracker bent close again. “I’ve seen dead people in better shape than you are. If you try to go with us, you’ll be more hindrance than help. I can’t protect you and him. And you can’t protect either of us until you’re healed. I’m taking you to someone who can make you well again. Then I’m taking Little K back into the Cintra where he can do what he is supposed to do.”

Angel shook her head stubbornly. “Not without me.”

Simralin sighed. “I thought you promised not to make this so hard on us.”

“I don’t care what I said. I’m going.”

“I’m afraid not, Angel.”

She reached down, pressed her fingers into the other’s exposed neck at the base of her skull, and held them in place. Angel’s eyes fluttered momentarily and closed.

Simralin stood up. “She’s unconscious. I’ll give her something in a little while to keep her that way. Stubborn, isn’t she? Determined. No wonder she’s still alive.” She motioned to Kirisin. “Take the staff from her hands, Little K. Be gentle.”