She shook her head in anguish, not wanting to believe them. Her erratic fists pummeled against him again. “Let me go! I don’t have the map!”
He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her still. “What did you say?”
She glared at him through her tears. “You assumed I had it.”
“Geon, check the bag.”
The boy removed her confiscated satchel from his shoulder and rummaged through it. “The journal isn’t here, Commander.”
Von’s fingers tightened on Dyna’s shoulders, making her wince. “Where is it?”
Boldness settled over her. She sealed her lips shut, raising her chin. Von worked his jaw as he interpreted her smugness. She already knew her Celestial was captured, so that left only one other.
“The Lycan has the map.”
“Lycan?” Her brows furrowed at the word.
“A half-breed werewolf.”
Dyna scowled. “Go anywhere near him, and he willeviscerateyou.”
“Aye, or perhaps I’ll wait for the next full moon when he is shackled in those chains of his.”
She gasped, her confidence falling away. “You would be so low as to murder him when he can’t defend himself? Is that the kind of man you are?”
Von grit his teeth. “You know nothing of what I have done or what I am capable of. Exploiting vulnerabilities is the least of what I’ll do. Make no mistake. I serve Master Tarn in all that he desires, including removing those in his way.”
“Tarn?” Dyna breathed the name. “Tarn Morken? The man the Azure Guard searches for?”
Von swore at his careless mistake. “Get up. We need to move.” He grabbed her forearm, and she lunged, digging her teeth into his hand. He tore away and Dyna kicked at his shins, but her face suddenly contorted at the impact. She let out a whimper, reaching for her leg. It had grown pink and puffy.
“You’re hurt.” He reached for her foot but she jerked back, hissing at the pain the movement caused her. “I need to remove your boot before the swelling sets in.”
She bit her trembling lip and gave him a tight nod. Lowering to a crouch, he carefully took her heel. She braced her hands on the ground, grinding her teeth as he gently slipped the boot off. He frowned at her inflamed foot.
“You’ve sprained your ankle. Must have happened in the tumble down the hill.” Von stood and faced Geon. “We’ll have to carry her down. Scout ahead and find the ferryman. Mind your steps.”
“Aye, Commander.” Geon vanished into the mist.
Von glowered at the teeth indentations on his hand. “You’ve got a pair of fangs on you, little minx. You may be more trouble than you’re worth.”
Dyna grimaced as she shifted against the log for support. “Why does Tarn seek Mount Ida?”
He gave her his back, watching the swirl of fog. “It’s an island full of treasure.”
Her brief silence told him she didn’t believe a word. “He could attain gold without risking his life. To have gone to the fae for divination means he seeks something more.”
She was too sharp for her own good.
“Mount Ida is an island of wonder. Of great magic and unknown peril.”
“You are headed there as well. Why?”
Her expression withdrew, and she stared blankly past him. “To dissipate the shadows.”
Before he could ask what that meant, a shocked cry rang on the hill. The fog thickened, darkening their surroundings. Dyna gasped, and peered nervously into the mist.
“Lad?” Von called out. He armed himself with a knife and took a wary step forward. There was another shout, followed by branches snapping as something crashed through the shrubs.“Geon!”
