“No!” A scream echoed, bouncing off the trees and hills around us. My eyes shot open, my body going rigid when the ax didn’t meet my skin. I looked for the source of the shout, though I already knew in my bones who it was. He had been watching. He guessed my intentions. His scream caused Victious to hesitate for the slightest of moments, and it was all Tolek needed. I watched in horror as he pushed himself to his feet atop Astania’s back and launched himself before me, in line with Victious’s sharpened blade.
