“I’ve got him, queenie,” Fionn says, wrapping his good shoulder around mine to support my sagging weight. Laurel hisses when he touches me and conjures a dagger made of ice that she presses against his throat. There’s nothing in her eyes but a beast. Fionn falters for only a moment, and I give him credit for staying firmly by my side despite the lethal look she gives him. He’s come a long way since we arrived in Thayaria. I take her hands in mine, stroking soft circles over her thumbs.

“I’m okay, witchling. Fionn is my friend. He won’t hurt me. Turn that sexy rage the other way.” I give her a wink and a half smile, trying to use the irreverent and cheeky tone I know she loves so much to break through the mating bond. Her eyes lose some of their blown-out inkiness, and a small sliver of green rings them. She slowly backs away, keeping her eyes locked on mine as she crosses to the other side of the thick shield she keeps up around Silene, Fionn, and me. As soon as she’s outside of it, water and wind join the swirling mass of light that protects us.

She turns back to the rebels, thankfully at the exact right moment to see weapons hurtling her way. They wink out of existence, and she stalks toward them, a predator caging her prey. Lightning cracks down from the sky in an astonishing display I’ve never seen her manage, branching out in all directions. Right before it strikes, the small group of rebels disappear, reappearing ten feet away. Krantz laughs coldly.

“Impressive, Witch,” he says with a hiss. “But I told you I had secrets of my own. You didn’t expect a powerful dual channeler from amongst your commoners, did you?” Laurel is completely still, eyes narrowed on Krantz in a rapacious stare.

“I’m going to kill you,” she spits with the icy rage of the Witch Queen of legend. Krantz only sneers.

“I’ve heard that before, and yet here I still stand.” He brings his arms wide, cocky smirk on his face. “I see Prince Hawthorne was never on our side. Can’t say I’m surprised. But you wound me, Your Highness.” Krantz places his hand over his heart in mock offense. I only bare my teeth at him, though even the small movement makes my vision swim from the pain.