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He was no hero … but he also wasn't like the other heartless soldiers.Andhe'd saved my ass back there. I owed him at least a little.

Besides, if I refused, what's to say he wouldn't turn me in the second I walked away? This would give me a few more minutes of freedom, at least.

"Fine."

He let out a short breath and let me go, then gestured towards the bar. "Shall we?"

I nodded and followed him back inside.

We made our way to a sturdy fellow snoring loudly on a table in the corner. I looked around to make sure Tyewas still gone. Sure enough, the chair at the bar was still open —

Where did one evengeta tattoo in Frexin-run Dragon's Peak in the middle of the night?

"Come on, Leo," Harry said, grabbing one side of the man, and propping him up. I took the other side, wrapping my arm around his back.

Leo leaned close to my ear, then hiccupped loudly, and slumped back down.

Ugh. And to think, I'd started tonight certain it was going to be a good night!

"One. Two. Three."

Harry and I heaved the man up, his arms wrapped over our shoulders. I grunted as we made our way out of the bar — basically carrying him the entire way. My body protested the extra burden, and I winced. I'd grown so weak on that damn ship! What I wouldn't give for just a bit of Tye's strength right now …

"The barracks are just a few blocks away," Harry said between breaths.

I nodded and focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

As we walked, Leo stirred … and then began to cry …loudly.

"Why'd she do it?" he slurred, blasting me with such rancid breath I feared I'd get drunk from the scent alone. "She knows I fancy her! And with Gyll of all people?!"

"She's an idiot," Harry said with a sigh. "And you'rean idiot, too, for falling for her. Itoldyou not to fall for your teammate."

Leo began to cry again.

"I can't help it," he sobbed. "You love who you love." He looked over at me, expression broken. "You get it, don't you? You'd do whatever your love asked. Right?"

My throat tightened, and I shrugged.

Leo turned back to Harry, then yanked himself away from us both. "Where'er you taking me?"

Harry let out a sigh and helped steady the man. "Back to your rooms so you can sober up and return to your damn post before morning."

"I need a drink." Leo cried, hanging his head, leaning against Harry. "It … hurts too much."

I cocked a brow at Harry, but he just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Leo," he said, reaching over with his free hand to pat the man's shoulder. "No more drinks. And let's keep it quiet. We don't need to alert Frexin."

Leo shivered and sat up straighter. "No, definitely not her." He cocked his head to the side, brow furrowed. "But why do we even guard them? It's not like they're going to suddenly wake up and walk away."

He laughed to himself, and Harry rolled his eyes while I pretended I didn't want to scream with excitement.

Surely, he couldn't mean the bonded prisoners? But who else would be guarded while they "slept."

No. There was no way I could have gotten that lucky!

But that feeling in my gut was back … and it told me this was it.