I pushed myself against the wall, but Took's knife went wide. It flew past me and slapped into a throwing knife flying at my shoulder.

Lira!

I twisted to my left, wrapping my short sword in flames and attacking with a wild slash. The diagonal arc of fire flew down the alley, but the technique was too new, too uncontrolled. Embers from the attack drifted onto my left sleeve, and the phantom pain in my hand became real. I dropped to my knees, rubbing my forearm in the dirt to smother the flames.

I shouted out a stream of curses.

It was silent.

I didn't get her.

When the flames on my sleeve went out, a large shadow loomed over me.

Took…

He stared down with a tight-lipped smile.

Oh, he was loving this.

I pushed down a rising wave of anger and held my tongue.

What was the point if he couldn't hear me?

I tapped my short sword against the wall and pointed down the alley.

The humour drained from his face.

He nodded, understanding my message.

The enemy was over there, and for now, we were allies.

# # #

Took took the lead, walking in front with his long knife in a defensive position. His wide frame blocked most of the alleyway. I stood behind him, on his right, with my dagger raised to throw. When, not if, Took was attacked, I would be ready.

I tensed at the first intersection between the tightly clustered houses.

Should we keep going straight or turn left?

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Took turned left without hesitation. It was the direction of his wagon—the direction of the capital and Rugar.

Not for the first time, I imagined sinking my short sword into his back.

Took looked over his shoulder and scowled at me.

How did he always know what I was thinking?

I flashed my most innocent smile.

There would be time to double-cross each other later.

I let Took lead the way, walking back to back down the alley. Each step took me further South, away from the battle and away from Isla and the others.

Was Lira still after me, or did she decide to go after the others?

Not knowing twisted my stomach.

I ignored it, focusing on the shadowy corners of each intersection, the warm lights overhead and the crunch on Took's boots on the hard earth.

Wait a minute…

"We're out."

Took looked over his shoulder.

"About time. What was that?"

"Not what who. That was Lira, another mage."

"Dahlgeshi?"

I shook my head.

"A Southerner."

Took spat on the ground.

"Southerners, they're almost as bad."

"Is there anyone you don't hate, Took?"

He frowned.

"My mother."

I raised my eyebrows. That was one area he may have me beat.

"Where are your guards?" Took asked.

"Dead."

"Who killed em?"

I smiled.

"Elven bastard."

He raised his long knife.

"If Rugar didn't make that deal-"

"Unfortunately for you, he did."

His frown turned into a look of disgust.

"We're leaving."

"What about your friends?"

"They have their orders."

He stabbed the air with his knife.

"You walk up front. Take this left back to the road."

I raised an eyebrow.

For all his tough talk, Took was on his last legs. His face was slick with sweat, and blood dripped from the wound I gave him on his forearm. Even without my Landbound abilities, I could beat him, but some things were more important.

It turned left and walked between two houses into the lip of the main road. I leaned forward, sticking out my head to get a view of the battlefield in the distance.

There was still fighting in the area. Small groups of warriors clashed in violent melees. Many of the Lagos cartel were on foot, continuing to fight after the deaths of their horses.

The scene filled me with dread for one simple reason: I could see them.

Where was Isla's fog?

Did she lose focus? Was she injured? Was she dead?!

"I'm going back."

"You're going to the wagon!"

A sharp, metal tip prodded me to move forward.

I snarled, turning around to knock away the knife and face the large man.

"Took, they're your people, too."

I blinked.

Took stared past me with vacant eyes, a trickle of blood pouring from the corner of his mouth.

I leapt back as his body fell forward with a soundless thud.

And there was my answer. Lira was still after me, and she just killed my walking shield.

My initial surge of panic turned into relief. If Lira was following me, Isla and others were safe.

Well, safer.

But that only worked if I continued to be bait.

I pointed my short sword at the alley.

"Lira, fight me and I'll tell you where I hid the gold."

That should get her attention.

Now, all I had to do was survive.

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