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Thousands of years of extended life should be a liberation – but, instead, it means the torment that awaits me will be prolonged to what might as well be eternity.

If I don’t break free, Lord Oblog will control us forever – all four of us.

Now, I’m firmly in his grasp – and with my extended lifespan, perhaps I’ll be passed down to Lord Oblog’s ruling offspring when he dies - like a precious heirloom, with the power to control the three Bonded Aurelians whose fate is now inextricably linked to mine.

Suddenly, the doors behind us open.

I spin around. Water comes slushing in, pooling on the stone floor.

There’d been no knock or warning, and Tessa whimpers in terror. The bowl of oatmeal clatters to the ground.

I can see her nerves are shot – and surprises like this aren’t helping matters.

Turning back to the doorway, I watch two Toads guards march in, planting their huge, webbed feet on the wet stone as they loom over us.

They each brandish an electro-prod, aimed in my direction. They begin gurgling in their guttural native language – but while the sounds are unfamiliar and foreign to me, I suddenly feel as if some new part of me actuallyunderstandswhat they’re saying.

Did they tell me to come with them? Or did I only imagine I could understand the words?

I telepath it to my triad.

They’re taking me somewhere.

Perhaps I only understood from the context of their gurgles and snorts – because why else would they be in my room? Beckoning me with the threat of a weapon? It was sure as hell obvious they didn’t want me to remain with Tessa.

They’re taking me somewhere…

…if I let them.

I stiffen, as the plan I’d come up with earlier begins to solidify.

I’m facing two Toads, each with a weapon. I’m alone – with nothing to use except my bare hands.

Under any normal circumstances – even with the teachings of Ling - I wouldn’t have considered trying anything. Yet I feel the Bond has me eager to test out my new body. I feel so strong, and fast – like the Toads are moving in slow motion…

…like I could dart around their clumsy jabs and snatch one of those electro-prods from their slimy hands.

Like I could shove it down their throats.

Keep us updated.

The message comes from Quint, loud and clear inside my mind.

I soften my shoulders. Any move I make must consider Tessa – and she’s not strong like me, mentally or physically.

Tessa’s weak and terrified, and if I don’t take care of her, she’s not making it off this ship alive.

If I made my move now, it wouldn’t just be my own life at stake – it would be the life of the cowering girl still hiding beneath the blankets.

I turn and make eye contact with her.

“I’ll be back,” I promise – before following the Toads into the hallway without resistance.

As I wade through the filthy water, I hike my pants up. I’m still barefoot, which at least makes washing easier.

As I’m led down the corridors, my mind maps them as it did before – remembering each twist and turn, and overlaying this new memory map across the ones I’d created earlier.

At the same time, I can sense the direction of Quint, Marcel, and Lucius – and I realize the Toad guards are marching me towards the Aurelians.