When time ran out, Kerrick returned to the rendezvous point. Frustrated and sick to his stomach, he hoped one of the others had found her.
The monkeys returned first and just by their expressions, he knew they’d struck out, too. Belen arrived next. His massive shoulders drooped and he shook his head.
After a few tense minutes, Flea joined them. His pale face held tragic news.
“No,” Kerrick whispered, meeting Flea’s gaze.
“I saw her with my own eyes, lying there...” Flea blinked back tears.
“But—”
“Her eyes were open. Even in the dim light, I knew.”
“You can’t—”
“I can, Kerrick. I’m a death magician. I know.”
“No. We’ve been wrong before. Show me.” And when Flea hesitated, he ordered, “Show me right now.”
Flea led them to a small unremarkable tent among a group of them. No guard stood at the entrance and not much activity surrounded the area. Kerrick told the others to wait in the woods. Not caring if anyone heard him, Kerrick headed straight to the tent and flung open the flaps.
Moonlight illuminated Avry’s prone form. She stared at the ceiling with dead eyes. Agony sliced through him. Flea was right.
CHAPTER 19
The expression on Kerrick’s face as he stared at me matched Flea’s. In his mind, a lifeless body combined with unseeing eyes equaled dead girl. But I was far from dead—just disconnected from my body due to the Death Lily toxin. Although thrilled that nothing had happened to him during his mission to Mom’s, I willed him closer.
Come on, Kerrick! You of all people should know better.
He stepped toward me. Too slow. Come on! My frustration built as he took his sweet time to kneel beside me. Kerrick reached to close my eyes.
The instant he touched my skin, I flowed into him. I’m not dead, I said in his mind.
He jerked back, breaking contact. I popped out, returning to an intangible cloud above my head.
Come on, figure it out. I urged. Time wasn’t a luxury.
The deep lines of grief around his eyes eased as realization sparked. Kerrick cupped my cheek. “Avry?”
Yes. Get out of here. It’s a trap!
Not without you. He scooped me into his arms and stood. My body blended in with the surroundings, matching him. But we’d lost our skin contact and I hovered again. Not good.
The tent flaps snapped, boots shuffled on the dirt and a bright lantern light flooded the room, casting our shadows onto the ground and the back wall of the tent. Kerrick turned to face the four soldiers who had entered.
“Now,” a voice ordered.
Two soldiers heaved a thick rope net over us. Kerrick staggered with the extra weight and before he could recover, the men rushed him, knocking us to the ground. The struggle lasted mere minutes. Useless and a dead weight, my body hindered Kerrick’s movements just as effectively as the net. They took his sword and then all four men sat on him, pinning him down. Just what I had hoped to avoid.
“All clear,” the same voice called.
The tent flaps parted and Wynn strode in with two more soldiers. “Let’s see who we caught in our Baby Face trap.” She peered at the net in confusion.
“They’re camouflaged,” a soldier said.
“Baby Face, have you learned a new trick?” Wynn asked, even though she knew I couldn’t answer. “No. That’s not a healing power, but a... Kerrick! You lived. Come on and show yourself.”
I waited for him to use his forest magic, imagining the place filling with vines, but nothing happened. Instead, Kerrick dropped the camouflage. Did he have a plan?
“I can’t believe it,” Wynn said, moving closer. “You survived the toxin. Are you a healer now?”
Kerrick refused to answer her.
She pulled a dart from her pocket and held it up. “This is Avry’s next dose, but I’m more than willing to try an experiment. If you’re a healer, you’ll live, if not...” Wynn shrugged.
“I’m not a healer,” Kerrick said in a strained voice.
“Then how did you live?”
“Avry sucked all the toxin out.”
“I’m not sure I believe that. Let’s try anyway.” Wynn bent down to prick Kerrick.
I screamed without sound.
“Wynn, stop,” Sepp said as he entered the tent.
“But don’t you—”
“Yes, I want him dead, but the Skeleton King wants to do the honors. Seems he caused some trouble in Mengels. I’m to freeze him until we rendezvous with our king.” Sepp’s voice sneered over those last words.
Not much love there. Interesting.
Wynn stepped away from Kerrick.
While everyone’s attention had been focused on Sepp and Wynn, Kerrick had tugged at my shirt, exposing my back. He touched my skin and we connected.
Did I hear that right? Are Sepp and Wynn working for the Skeleton King? Kerrick asked.
Yes.
That’s just great. His tone implied otherwise.
Why aren’t you using your magic? I asked.
It’s winter. Too cold.
What does—
How much longer will you be...detached?
No idea. Sorry.
No, Avry, I’m sorry for not getting back—
Hush. You came to rescue me.
Some rescue.
Sepp approached.
Love you with all my heart, Avry.
And I love you, but don’t you dare give up or I’ll be mad at you!
Who said anything about giving up? “Even with the Skeleton King’s help, you’ll never outsmart Tohon, Sepp,” Kerrick said.