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She shrugged. “Suit yourself, but the moment it goes down, I’m running. That’s what my brother told me to do. The Ravens will protect their king if it breaks and they are overrun. They will get Thane out and he will meet us at the rendezvous point.”

Pausing her pacing, she felt sick to her stomach. Would Thane leave to fight another day, or would he go down with his people?

A thud outside the door in the hallway made the hairs on her arms stand. “What was that?” Katana whispered.

“It sounded like someone fell.” Tif swung down from the vine and landed on the stone floor. “I’ll go check.”

“No,” Katana hissed and snatched the little gnome by the middle and held her against her chest.

She clutched at Katana’s hand and with big brown eyes looked up at her. “What is it?”

Talon slowly stepped away from the window and moved toward the door. “What if someone got through the wall. We didn’t lock it…”

The door handle clicked, and Talon froze in the center of the room. The hinges slowly creaked as the door crept open. Katana’s heart plummeted to her toes, and she backed into the window.

Synick stood just outside the bedroom, hands poised on the threshold. The guard posted outside laid unmoving on the ground.

“I finally found the room with the sword and look what else there is. My favorite goddess to torture, along with friends.” He stared at the softly illuminated sword, the very thing keeping this city from being destroyed.

“Anyone who wishes Valeen harm can’t get in here,” Katana reassured Talon and Tif as much as herself. It didn’t stop Talon from backing away or even herself from pushing back against the window and reaching for a latch.

“I want out of this city.” He tried to walk through the threshold of the door and slammed into an invisible wall. He pressed his hands to it and curled his upper lip baring his teeth. “More magic tricks, I see.” She expected him to start screamingat them to let him in or cursing their names, but he didn’t. He lifted his good eye to Talon. “Princess,” his voice took on a melodic, resonant tone, one Katana knew well, “pull the sword free from the crack in the stone.”

As if in a daze, Talon walked forward.

“NO!” Katana tossed Tif onto the bed and darted in front of Talon. The gift of persuasion was one she hadn’t used in too long, but she grabbed Talon’s shoulders and stared her in the face. Her blue eyes were unfocused. “Hold still,” she commanded.

“I said, pull the sword. Pull it now. Push her out of the way if you must.”

Talon shoved against Katana, knocking her off balance. Katana stumbled backward but regained her footing. The princess was stronger than she expected her to be. “Talon, you can’t touch that sword. Everyone will die.” Katana grabbed her arm and swung her backward until Talon hit the chest at the end of the bed and fell onto the mattress.

“Get up, Princess,” Synick’s voice seemed to echo through the room. “Get that sword and give it to me.” His persuasion was much stronger than Katana’s because he was used to doing it. Even before she died, she rarely ever used the gift. It had always felt wrong.

With her feet slightly wider than shoulder width and her hands out in front of her, she prepared to fight Talon off again. Under Synick’s control she’d have no choice but to do as he told her to. “Talon, stay where you are.”

“Kill her if you have to,” Synick demanded.

Talon charged at her and slammed her shoulder into Katana, taking her to the ground. Her breath whooshed out. Talon was suddenly on top of her with her hands around Katana’s throat. The intense grip cut into her windpipe.

“Choke her until she doesn’t move.”

Katana screamed and bucked, slamming her fists into Talon’s arms to break the hold. “Let go of me!” Katana felt her power in her own voice, and Talon released her. She would not kill Thane’s sister no matter what happened. Shoving her hips up, she tossed Talon onto the ground. Talon scrambled up and dove for the sword’s handle.

“No, don’t!”

She grabbed hold of it and pulled. It moved an inch, and Katana wrapped her hands above Talon’s and pushed down.

A flash of Thane slammed into her mind.

He was completely surrounded. Valeen knelt on the ground beside Dax and Prince Ronan, the pain in his face said more than words. Tears welled up.

Dax was gone… They were in trouble. So many, there were so many to fight, and she felt Thane’s fear like it was wrapping around her. Doubt of victory crept into him, into her.

Choking on a sob, Katana pushed against Talon, her mind torn.Thane, keep fighting!

She wouldn’t hurt Talon to stop her, but she had to do something. She glanced back at Synick and the triumph in his eyes. Talon growled and pulled harder. Katana’s arms shook trying to keep the sword in place. She promised Valeen, she would protect it, protect the city.

Another flash of Thane—he screamed as he sunk his sword into someone and then a dagger stuck into his forearm.THANE!