Rawn perked at the mention. Dyna gave him a slight smile. Did that mean he might join them after all? He had helped Cassiel, and the sorceress had helped her. Both needed something from Mount Ida and inexplicably, she trusted them.
“We owe it to her,” Dyna said.
Cassiel scowled. “She has already received her payment.”
He didn’t explain further than that.
“I don’t need your help. I’m well aware of its location,” the sorceress said. Her white hair flared as she spun around and walked away, heading for the shore. Within the following second, she winked out of view.
“Wait—” Dyna tried to stand but whimpered at the sharp jab of pain in her ankle and throbbing at the base of her skull.
“What’s wrong?” Zev crouched by her again. “I smell blood.”
She winced and touched her head. Now that she had moved, something wet trickled down her scalp to her neck. The blow against the log must have been worse than she thought.
Rawn approached her. “May I?”
She nodded, and his gentle fingers slipped through her hair, probing the back of her head until she flinched. His hand came away with red smears.
Zev growled and he bounded for Von.
Dyna saw his wolf claw at the surface in demand to kill. To protect his pack, to protect her. “No, Zev!”
“Commander didn’t hurt her!” Geon shouted at the same time.
“It’s the truth,” she said. “I fell. He didn’t mean for it to happen.”
“He kidnapped you!” Zev snarled.
“Von was only doing as our master bid!” Geon said.
“Who?”
“Von called him Master Tarn,” Dyna said.
Rawn’s expression grew alarmed. “My lady, if Tarn is pursuing you, then you are in grave danger.”
“What do you mean?” Cassiel demanded.
“Who is he?” Zev asked next.
Rawn gathered Dyna’s things into her satchel. “A discussion for another time. We must depart from here forthwith.”
“Help me stand, please,” Dyna said. Cassiel hoisted her up, and she stumbled against him, whimpering at the painful jolt that ran up her leg.
He hooked her arm around his neck for support. “You can’t walk on that ankle.”
“What do we do about him?” Zev asked the others, glaring at Geon.
The boy cowed against the tree, sweat dripping down his gaunt face. “I’m sorry we took her. We had to!”
Rawn laid a hand on Zev’s shoulder. “We have spilled enough blood today.”
“Are they all gone?” Geon asked. “The Raiders?”
No one answered him. He dropped his head.
“Cassiel, take me to him,” Dyna said. “Please.”
