Sarafina’s breath hitched. “Honestly, I don’t know, sir. The Coven’s been attacked by warlocks and the Atrika. She’s there now, in Chicago. I’m here in Kentucky where they’ve been keeping you.” She paused. “Are you all right?”

She needed for him to be all right soon.

“The Atrika? How did the Atrika get Earthside?” He swore low in some strange language. “All I remember is finding out the Duskoff kidnapped Claire. I jumped through a portal to find her and was hit by an overwhelming amount of magick as soon as I was Earthside. Impossible.” He shook his head. “What’s going on?”

Sarafina told him everything. Fast. Luckily, Rue figured out the gravity of the situation and pulled himself out of the coffin. He was shaky on his feet, looked a little green, and was soaked with clammy water. But given the strength of the Ytrayi, she had no doubt he’d recover fast.

Rue took her hands in his. “You’re wounded.”

“A little.” She hesitated. “Okay, a lot. I just fought an Atrika.”

“I can’t restore your magick, but I can make you feel better and heal a few of your wounds.”

“I would appreciate that.”

Warmth emanated from the hands of the Cae into her body, spreading out and soothing the sore and injured parts of her. Her seat still felt barren and cold when he was done, but the acid burns and the massive bruise on her face where she’d been backhanded felt nearly healed.

Right before they jumped to the Coven, they made a stop at Bai’s body. This time Sarafina only wanted to vomit a little. Apparently, jumping through a fold in the space/time continuum, or however they did it, got easier with practice.

Of course, the sight of Bai’s body made her want to vomit a lot.

“Did I kill him?” she asked, staring down at his mangled form with her hand pressed to her mouth. She could hardly believe she’d done all that violence.

Rue flicked his wrist and Bai flamed and then turned to ash. “I don’t know, but now he’s dead for sure.”

They jumped again, this time to Chicago.

THEO’S SPINE CRACKED.

Unbelievable agony shot through his body. He knew this was the end. Having nothing else to lose, he twisted hard in a final, desperate bid for life, using his weight to pitch forward.

It broke the hold of the daaeman.

Off balance, the beast threw him forward. Theo landed hard, his breath knocked out of him. His sword went clattering and sliding across the marble floor.

Theo pushed to his feet, but not before the Atrika was on him again. Together they rolled, fighting until they hit the wall of the corridor behind them.