The area was wind and mist and the sick feeling of falling through nothing.Draven plummeted through the fog like a rock, his stomach somewhere up near his throat. The air rushed past him so fast it was hard to breathe, hard to think, hard to do anything but fall."Okay," he said to himself, trying to stay calm. "This was definitely one of my stupider ideas."But panic wouldn't help him now. He needed to think. Figure out how to survive this mess he'd gotten himself into.The blood magic was completely gone. He could feel the exhaustion creeping into his muscles, the price of using forbidden techniques. But he still had his regular fire magic. That had to count for something.The problem was he couldn't see anything. The fog was so thick he might as well have been falling through soup. No way to tell how far he'd fallen or how much farther he had to go."Come on, think," he muttered to himself. "What can I do here?"Draven spread his arms and legs wide, trying to catch as much air as

Morning light filtered through the thick canopy, turning the fog into golden ribbons that danced between the giant trees. Draven had barely slept, keeping watch through the night for any sign of Elena's pursuers returning.The girl stirred against his shoulder, then jerked awake with a gasp."It's okay," Draven said quickly. "You're safe. It's morning."Elena looked around in confusion, taking in the massive branch they were sitting on and the forest floor far below. For a moment she seemed to have forgotten where she was."Oh," she said, pulling his shirt tighter around her shoulders. "The tree. I remember now." She looked at him with worried eyes. "Did they come back?""No. Haven't heard anything since they left last night." Draven stretched carefully, his injured shoulder protesting the movement. "But they'll probably start searching again soon. We should get moving."Elena nodded and started to hand him back his shirt."Keep it for now," he said. "You need it more than I do.""Tha

The knocking stopped.Draven held his breath, listening. Footsteps moved away from their door, but he could hear them circling the cabin. Someone was checking the windows, testing for other ways in."What's happening?" Elena whispered."Shh." Draven moved to the window and peered out. A figure in dark clothes was examining their cabin from the outside, moving quietly around the perimeter.After a few minutes, the person gave up and walked away. But Draven noticed they didn't go back to the main camp. They headed toward a building on the edge of the settlement."False alarm," he lied to Elena. "Probably just someone checking on us."She looked skeptical but climbed back into bed. "See? They're just being careful. Looking out for us."Draven didn't sleep the rest of the night.Morning came with more of the same overwhelming friendliness. Marcus showed up with fresh bread and coffee, grinning like they were his favorite people in the world."Sleep well?" he asked, stepping into their cab

The heavy footsteps stopped right outside their door. Draven could hear at least four different people, maybe more. His sword felt good in his hand, familiar and deadly."Elena," he whispered. "Can you hear me?"She managed a weak nod, but her eyes were glazed and unfocused. Whatever drug they'd given her was strong. Too strong for her to be any help in a fight."Elena," Marcus called through the door, his voice now completely different. Cold, professional, threatening. "We know you're the Voss girl. Your father's been very worried about you."Draven's jaw clenched. They'd known all along exactly who she was."In fact," Marcus continued, "he's offered quite a reward for your safe return. We thought we might collect that reward.""Go to hell," Draven called back."Now, now. No need for harsh language. We're all reasonable people here. Business people."There was a pause, then Marcus spoke again. "Elena, dear, are you feeling alright? You sounded a bit under the weather earlier."Elena

The bandit leader's sword came down hard, forcing Draven to step back. The man was stronger than he looked, and his technique was solid. Not just some thug who'd picked up a blade. This was someone who'd trained properly."Kill him!" the leader shouted to his men. "All of you, now!"The bandits surged forward as one, abandoning any pretense of a fair fight. Fifteen armed men crowded into and around the small cabin, weapons flashing in the firelight.Draven's sword became a blur of motion as he fought for his life. Block, parry, strike. His training took over, every movement precise and deadly. The pendant against his chest burned hot, feeding him memories of battles fought by warriors long dead.A bandit with a club rushed him from the left. Draven ducked under the swing and drove his sword up through the man's chest. Before the body even hit the ground, he'd spun to face the next attacker.A spear thrust came at his face. He deflected it with his blade and grabbed the shaft, yanking