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I turn and look back desperately, trying to see through the grey barrier that cut me off from my triad – but they’re lost to me.

Jamie!What’s happening!

I gasp, as Marcel’s voice sounds in my mind. He’s speaking to me wordlessly, like Lucius did before.

I cling to the echo of his voice, and I can feel the auras of the triad flood with terror and rage as they fight relentlessly and mercilessly against the onslaught of Bullfrogs. Beneath all that emotion, I can also detect the pain of being pummeled by huge, hard fists and powerful, webbed feet.

I scream: “Stop hurting them!”

Lord Oblog stares me down as I turn to him – half-commanding, and half-begging. He laughs sharply – that disgusting, gurgle-like chuckle.

“Tell them to stop resisting, and they’ll not be hurt any further – for now.”

I don’t even hesitate.

“Stop fighting!” I scream out loud – but then realize my mistake. The Aurelians couldn’t hear me – not over the sound of blood and battle.

Instead, I try to focus my mind – to communicate with Lucius and Marcel the same way they just did with me.

Stopfighting. Stop fighting.

I squeeze shut my eyes and concentrate.

Marcel! Lucius! Quint!STOP FIGHTING!

Finally, I sense my words reaching them. Reluctantly, I sense the Aurelians cease fighting as my message gets through to them. I feel the battle quiet down as the three warriors reluctantly surrender.

I can feel their rage, humiliation, and anger – but my triad, strong as they are, couldn’t possibly fight against that endless onslaught of Bullfrogs. Who’s to say how many of the warrior elite of his species that Lord Oblog has under his command.

Seeing the reaction on my face, Lord Oblog leans back in his raised throne.

“So – you’reBondedto them.”

My cheeks burn at his mocking tone.

“I never could have predicted it,” the disgusting creature gurgles. “A one in a million chance – a billion!” He shakes his blubbery head. “Oh, Jamie. Poor, poor little Jamie. You’re the key to everything – and you don’t even realize it!”

His voice is icy cold. I feel sick as Oblog looks at me. His gaze is even more disgusting to me than the rough, slimy hands of the two Bullfrogs holding me in place.

The terror of the three Aurelians pours through the Bond – but they don’t fear losing themselves.

They fear losing me.

Three huge, alien warriors – who fearlessly faced down a horde of Bullfrogs – are scared forme. They’re beasts of perfect, rippling muscle – driven by sharp instincts, born and molded into angels of death…

…and yet, these Gods of war have been made mortal byme.

Iam their Achilles heel. The three of them are now responsible for a fourth member of what had been a triad –me. We’re inextricably linked now, and their fate rests with mine.

I clench my fists. I wish there was something I could do – but while I might have been made stronger by the weird, transformative power of the Bond, I still know my limits. I’m still human – and I wasn’t built for battle against gigantic, deadly creatures like Bullfrogs.

I have no weapons, and I’m not as strong as an Aurelian – but then the poison of hope seeps into my bloodstream.

Neither was Ling!

I’d give my late best friend even odds against one of those Bullfrogs – perhaps even better. What’s more, she taught me everything she knew before she was stolen from me – like how there’s more to a fight than brute strength and muscle; and only a fool fights fair.

What’s happening to you? Is he hurting you?