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"A messenger just arrived. The Giant … has escaped."

Frexin stiffened. "What? Where is it now?"

"He broke free soon after you left the base," he said,voice dropping. "They chased it, but lost its trail in the forest. They think it might be heading to the mountain…"

"Oh gods," Frexin sounded panicked.

"I've sent Japhire to track it, and an airship to provide support when found," Korym reassured her. "We will recapture it, my lady!"

"Yes, we can't lose him." She looked almost dazed.

The Giant, Baerloe, had escaped? Why were they so afraid of him?

"Take her weapons and throw her in with the others," Frexin snapped to a guard.

Then she walked away, and strong hands grasped my arms, lifting me painfully to my feet. They yanked away the daggers Tye had loaned me and threw me in the cage.

I stumbled into the group already inside, stomach rolling.

Gods, why did everything feel so … wrong?

Closing my eyes, I slipped into the Korra Realm, and bile rose in my throat.

It was as if I were swimming through a pool of rotting flesh.

A chill ran up my spine when I saw the corruption trying to work its way across my bonds —

Fuck. If it got to Tye or Jaiel … or even that bastard, Lynk.

The thought made my stomach wrench, and I immediately lost everything I'd eaten.

"It's alright, dear. You will get used to it." The widowrubbed my back and held my hair as my vision swam and I retched again.

Gods, at this rate, I wouldn't live long enough for that …

Chapter 58

Tye

Pain speared me from all sides as I struggled in darkness, helpless as my mate cried out in pain.

Corruption filled her, but I could do nothing because the fucking metal of my tattoos was tangled around my korra like barbed wire — cutting and slicing at my essence with every move.

Fuck!

Sheneededme — but I was stuck in a damn cave — trapped between forms — nothing more than a ball of mist and pain. I let out a soundless howl into the darkness, desperation filling me.

"Pup? I thought I smelled you."

I froze, hackles rising.

Japhire.

"Wow," he whistled, the sound coming from somewhere outside the dark hell I was stuck in. "What a luckyfind. And to think, I almost didn't catch your scent as I passed …"

I could practicallyfeelhim smirking as he walked around the cave, and I fought against the tearing metal again.

Kaiya doesn't have time for this!