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Their auras strengthen as I get closer to them – their location pinpointed in my mind. I look down at the mental map I’ve created in my mind’s eye, and map out their location in relation to mine. Lord Oblog has them kept in a cell near the throne room. He must like to keep a close eye on his prized possessions.

They’re taking me to you, I telepath.

I keep my emotions hidden from my aura – something I didn’t consciously know how to do, but which comes to me instinctively. I don’t want to give anything away – not even to my triad.

They probably imagine I’m scared and helpless – but inside, I’m actually aching to surprise the Toads with my newfound strength. They probably view me the same way Lord Oblog does – as a weak, little girl.

Let him. I’ll hide my strength – for now.

But there will be a moment I use it – and that will be the moment Lord Oblog regrets underestimating me.

I rein in my emotions – from the Aurelians, and myself. I can’t let the anger take control of me. True, I hate Lord Oblog – but he uses that hate against me. He knows how to make a man or woman furious, and start acting with emotion rather than information. He knows how to make anyone lose their self-control, and it’s one of his deadliest weapons.

Yes, he can press our buttons like he’s programming us. That brilliant, disgusting bastard has been three steps ahead of us since before I even met him…

…but one day, he will stumble – and I have thousands of years to wait for that moment.

When Lord Oblong finally falls, I’ll be the one standing ready to put a knife in his back.

It takes only five minutes of walking to reach the throne room. The huge doors stand before me, guarded by two of the biggest Bullfrogs I’ve ever seen – their Orb-Axes already activated and humming with malevolent, otherworldly energy – as if the weapons themselves are eager to carve me like a roast Womp.

The Bullfrog guards recognize me. I can see it in their dull eyes that they remember watching me get roughly mated by my triad of Aurelians – but they say nothing.

The Toads guarding me tense, nervous in the presence of the warriors of their race. They step back, offering me to the Bullfrogs like a prize – before disappearing off into the fetid darkness of the ship, glad to be far away.

I know how they feel. I wish I was anywhere, but here.

Through those doors is the bastard himself – Lord Oblog.

He’s the puppet master – and my three magnificent, noble warriors dangling from his strings.

At the same time, I can sense the auras of Quint, Lucius and Marcel – physically now so close to me. I can feel their presence – and that means I’m no longer alone.

The Bullfrogs wordlessly stand aside as the doors open. Even with my Bond-enhanced body, I know this is not my moment to strike. I don’t want to try and take on a single Bullfrog – let alone two of them, and armed with Orb-Axes, no less.

Taking on two startled Toad guards would be one thing. Two Bullfrogs with Orb-Axes is another story. I don’t want to test my muscles against over a thousand pounds of beastly, blubbery muscle.

The doors open, and through them I see my Aurelians.

My heart swells. Even bruised, beat-up, and pissed-off, they’re safe, alive, andmine.

I realize it’s not just the Bond that links me to them – it’s the three of them, all by themselves. I canfeeltheir protectiveness. I canfeeltheir honor. They stare at me, grateful that I’m alive, and I look back with pride.

I’m not smiling – but I feel the warmth of their presence, and I know they can feel it, too.

Lord Oblog looms above them on his throne, right at the top of the stairs. To his right floats the other Toad Finger, Lord Qavar.

I remember his name, and every detail of his hideous face. My mind’s sharper now. Details float up to me effortlessly, when before they’d be lost in the maelstrom of my memories.

The doors shut behind me – but the guards don’t follow me in.

I suddenly realize that there are no Bullfrogs in the throne room – only Sentinels.

Why?

I guess Lord Oblog doesn’t want any organic ears to hear what’s about to happen next.Good.

He’d want his men to witness if he was going to execute us – he’s that kind of egomaniac, eager to demonstrate the power of life and death he wields.