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The seconds tick by. Up on his throne, Lord Oblog is visibly nervous – shifting in his seat. I don’t need to be connected to his mind to know what worries the Toad Lord. He’s still concerned that Marcel or Quint might do something heroic.

Finally, Marcel nods. Lord Oblog wisely doesn’t make him surrender out loud. He lets Marcel cling to his dignity.

We all saw how close Lucius got – his limp body lying halfway up the stairs. Oblog hadn’t thought he’d make it two steps – and the knowledge has shaken the craven Toad.

“Now,” Oblog gurgles coldly, staring down at Marcel and Quint, “take your sleeping comrade, and go to the hangar bay. Your Reaver has already been loaded. Youwillmake the delivery to the Grand Temple, as planned, and youwillcome back. Any deviation from that will result in…consequences.”

Consequences. The word triggers the image of Gab’nah in my mind. His aquarium is where I’ll end up if the Aurelians dare to disobey Lord Oblog again.

“Now, take the fool andgo!”

Lord Oblog spits out those words as an order – instantly expecting the Aurelians to do exactly as he demands.

Marcel and Quint don’t make a sound as they slowly walk up the stairs. The Sentinels keep steady aim on them, but the two Toad Lords tense up nonetheless – knowing that if either of the Aurelians sprang forward, they could getreallyclose.

Perhaps even close enough.

I ready myself, just in case it’s time to fight. With the Bond, I’d be able to sense the Aurelian’s intentions. Now I can only stare at the implacable expression of their marble faces, and guess.

Marcel and Quint give me an inscrutable look as they approach. When I could feel them in my mind, I understood such glances. Now, they’re both so alien once again.

Even their newly coloured eyes reveal nothing. I can’t tell if Marcel and Quint are going to follow Oblog’s demand – to turn away, and drag Lucius’s body down the stairs…

…or if they’ll take a chance and try to kill the Toad Lord once and for all.

I breathe a sigh of relief as they choose the former. Marcel and Quint lift up Lucius’s limp body and help him stagger to his feet. The stun-blast is wearing off, but they still have to help their battle-brother down the stairs, turning their huge backs to me as they do so.

Only when they’re at the bottom of the stairs – where even the enhanced speed of the Bond renders them harmless – does the knife leave my throat.

That’s when humor returns to Oblog’s voice.

“You’re Bonded to three idiots, Jamie,” he snorts. “Strong, yes – but idiots, nonetheless.”

He shakes his blubbery jowls.

“As idiotic as the Priesthood and their superstitions. Obsidian! Bah!”

Obsidian? What does that mean?

But Oblog has already changed topics.

“So, nothing to say Jamie? No biting words?” His taunting voice goads me. I know he’s twisting the knife in – forcing my triad to listen to my humiliation as they walk toward the doors.

As Marcel and Quint assist Lucius into the corridor beyond, the Toad Lord grows even more confident. The threat has left, and only his leverage remains –me.

Lord Oblog’s voice is suddenly dripping with dominance again.

“Good girl.”

My shoulders slump. Revealing how strong and fast the Bond had made us was our only shot at freedom – but Lord Oblog’s never going to let the Aurelians get close to him ever again – not now he knows the full extent of their Bond-enhanced power.

I don’t answer the Toad’s taunts. I clench my teeth, hating how empty my mind feels.

Annoyed at my lack of reaction, Lord Oblog grunts and speaks in his own language, spittle spraying the back of my neck with each ear-assaulting syllable. I resist the urge to wipe away the slime…

…and that’s when I realize some part of meunderstandshim.

Am I imagining it? Or do those strange, croaking syllables actually have some meaning?