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It imbeds in the wood with a satisfying sound. I pull another dagger, imagine Threydan’s face and throw.

Thwack.

My breathing comes quicker as I reach for more knives, giving my sore arms a workout and my mind something to focus on. A healthy outlet for all the nervous energy I’m dealing with.

A way to attack all the negative thoughts that permeate my mind.

Can’t feel anything.Thwack.

Can’t die by cold or heat.Thwack.

Stuck on this island.Thwack.

Still have no hope of finding Alosa’s missing girls.Thwack.

I was the wrong woman for this job.Thwack.

I’ve failed everyone.Thwack.

And now Threydan thinks I can break Kearan? Ha!Thwack.

He gives me too much power. I am powerless. I can do nothing.Thwack.

On and on I throw. When my remaining twelve daggers are imbedded in the wood, I retrieve them before wreaking havoc on the trunk again.

Soon I see Kearan’s face and his wicked grin.Throwuntilyoumiss.

Danger excites him. I excite him because I’m dangerous. And he clearly doesn’t care about getting hurt. He didn’t even flinch when that last knife cut him. No, he smiled.

Because he’s mad.

And unpredictable, which is why he unsettles me so. What will he do when I tell him the King of the Undersea wants him to back off?

Doesn’t matter. It was the agreement for letting me go, so I’ll follow up in case the undead are spying on me. If Kearan’s life weren’t hanging in the balance, I wouldn’t bother. But he’s under my protection. I just have to figure out how to broach such a ridiculous topic once again.

Captain, stop flattering yourself.

Ugh.

I fling all my knives for a third time.

A fourth.

A fifth.

At a rustling behind me, I duck behind the tree I’m using for target practice, but when a snowy fox darts past, I relax. Then I remember I’m not bothering to be quiet because Threydan will find me regardless of what I do. Still, old habits are hard to break.

I retrieve my knives and sheathe them one by one inside my clothing as the world finally feels more manageable.

There is much that is out of my control.

My own body.

Threydan’s intentions.

The Drifta’s threats.

But I need to focus on what is within my power to change.