I’ve successfully frozen all the rebels, with the exception of Krantz. Whatever he consumed, it prevents me from controlling him. He looks around at the immobilized rebel army and grins wide.

“What was it you once said to me? Something about trying the same trick twice?” he sneers before sending dozens of swords hurtling into our trio. Thorne reacts instantly, blocking them with his light shield and bringing about half down to the ground. I obliterate the other half, but it pulls my concentration from stopping the flow of aether in the other rebels. They resume their advance toward us. Allyssia whimpers with fear.

“You focus on Krantz,” Thorne commands, “I’ll take on the rest of them.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, concern evident in my voice.

“Doubting my abilities, witchling?” Thorne asks with a mock shake of his head. Even in the throes of battle, he finds a way to be cocky. I roll my eyes.

“Fine. Allyssia, get back into the cellar, and work on getting Fionn and Silene free. I’ll provide cover. Free them both, send Fionn to me, then stay down there with Silene. The sooner Fionn is fighting with us, the sooner we can get out of here.” The woman looks terrified, but nods. “I’ll come get you when it’s safe. On my count. Three, two, one, go!”

She races away from us, back to the cellar, and I break away from Thorne to shield her with light. A few rebels try to hurl magic into her, mostly spears of water, but the light protects her from their blows. I’m impressed that she doesn’t falter, just keeps running even as magic darts her way. Once she’s down the steps, I plant myself in front of the cellar doors, forming an imaginary line the rebels will not cross with my friends vulnerable behind me.

Quickly scanning the field for Thorne, I find him grinning wide as he slashes through three rebels with a light sword. None can break his impenetrable shield, even as they try running into it six males at a time. Sometimes I forget how powerful he really is. He’ll be fine.

Krantz stalks my way, daggers and swords rotating around him in a swirling orb that acts like a shield. By now I’ve figured out that he’s a dual channeler—metal and air, a rare combination—and I regret not looking into his family history. Most dual channelers descend from powerful families, but Krantz seems to have come from nowhere.