The coolness of night setting in did nothing to revive me. And the ache in my throat only reminded me how long I’d gone without water.

My skin burned where fire-legged flies landed. I shooed them away and told myself to keep watching Dimic ahead of me. My survival depended on keeping up with him. Though I had no idea what exactly I was going to say when I did confront the Desert Boys. Maybe something along the lines of needing their help to defeat Rodric. They certainly would be on board based on what I’d witnessed in the alcove.

I was playing out the conversation in my mind when I realized Dimic no longer appeared ahead of me.

I ground to a stop.

I crept up the next dune cautiously, my sword out and ready. But when I peered into the next valley, Dimic wasn’t waiting to ambush me. His footsteps led halfway up the next dune and simply stopped.

I half rolled, half walked down the dune to the spot. There was nothing there. There was no one there. I slammed my hands into the sand, but I knew he didn’t have time to bury himself.

I spun in circles. I climbed up the next dune. Nothing. No footprints. I waded back down into the valley.

Could the Desert Boys really dissolve into sand? I shook my head clear. That wasn’t possible. He was here somewhere. He had to be.

“Dimic,” I cried, my hoarse voice crashing out over the waves of sand.

Silence answered me.

“Please,” I cried. “I need your help to defeat Rodric.”

I stalked the edges of the valley waiting. Hoping.

Still nothing.

Exhausted, I collapsed on my knees. I’d lost him. Even worse, I’d been so intent on following him that I hadn’t even thought to take out Tamlin’s map and track the location.

I’d been stupid to believe he’d lead me to his hideout. He’d led me as far out as he could just to leave me to die.

I never should’ve trusted the stupid little street urchin.

The only map I had now was my scattered footprints leading back to the city, and thanks to the wind even those were disappearing every moment I sat here. Not to mention my path had grown harder and harder to see as the last bits of sunlight fled.

I slammed my fists into the ground.

“I saved your life,” I cried. But I knew it was useless.

I hauled myself to my feet and stared listlessly at the sand, trying to decide what direction to take, what to do.

Then, the earth around me shifted.

Hot bursts of sand sprayed up in all directions. I flung my hand over my eyes as they cascaded over me. I shook it off as quickly as I could. When I could finally see again, I was circled by boys of all ages and sizes. Most of the boys looked younger than me. One had a scar running from his scalp all the way down his face. Another was missing both his thumbs—a price sometimes paid for stealing water.