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I lookup through my half-closed eyelids.

The High Priest clearly doesn’t think me and Kit a threat. A lightning ball leaving his hands, he’s focused on the stage, where Cadmael is approaching the bomb.

Puck. My nightmare is threatening to become reality.

Itzel’s grandfather must remember what I told him about the threat of the other gnome. With surprising speed for his age, he turns and shoots a lightning ball into the path of the one flying at his head.

Boom.

Colliding just a few feet from the stage, the two lightning balls violently explode, the blast knocking Cadmael off his feet.

I glare at the High Priest.

Pucking bastard. He’s ruined everything.

There are mere seconds left on the timer—no time for the older gnome to get up and disable the bomb.

Well, if I’m going to die, I’m going to hurt the one responsible before I go. Gritting my teeth at the pain, I raise my knife and stab the High Priest in the foot with all that remains of my strength.

He yells in pain and swings back his other foot to kick me—which is when Kit’s giant fist smashes into his jaw.

The devastating punch causes the High Priest to fly up into the air, and as he lands, I make sure my knife is waiting for his heart.

His body jerks on top of me, a wheezing gasp exploding from his lips, and then he slumps, moving no more.

Kit rushes forward and yanks the bleeding gnome off my body.

For once, I’m not bothered by the bodily fluids on my skin.

Barely conscious, I glance at the stage.

Cadmael is on his feet again, but it’s too late.

The countdown has reached zero.

Sucking in a breath, I brace for the explosion.