“We have money. We’ll give it all to you.” Graely took a step. “Leave the girl alone. She’s an innocent.”
“Our master needs her,” said Blenden.
Jireo whispered, “They believe Arista is Alora.” Graely nodded, but his gaze never left Blenden and Forsaethe.
“There’s no reason we couldn’t take their money as well,” reasoned Forsaethe.
“Don’t be a fool,” Blenden said between his teeth. “The Master would never allow you to keep the money for yourself. We’re only charged with bringing the girl.” He called over his shoulder, “Disperse the horses!”
At once, the two men brandishing swords ran back to the place where the horses were tethered. Jireo heard shouts in the forest and the whinnies of frightened horses as they scattered in all directions.
Graely continued to advance toward the men. “Let’s be reasonable. You must be aware you will never strike a fair deal with Vindrake. He hasn’t yet forced you to take his bloodbond—it’s not too late for you to escape his deadly hold. Return the girl to us, and we will not prosecute you.”
“Stop right there. Take another step, and Forsaethe will add more force to his knifepoint. The Master prefers we bring her alive, but he would rather have her dead than in your hands.” Blenden’s face contorted in a vicious sneer. “And you should know I willingly took the bondmark you cannot see and serve my master faithfully.”
Graely gasped, but continued to edge forward as the men moved back toward their waiting horses. The other two men appeared behind them, now mounted and leading the horses for Forsaethe and Blenden. When Forsaethe handed Arista to one of the mounted riders, Graely’s hand blurred, sending his knife blade through the air into the man’s throat. But the mounted rider had Arista in his grasp and kicked his horse away, followed closely by the other rider. Blenden aimed his knife at Graely and without waiting to see if he made his mark, drew his sword to quickly hamstring Forsaethe’s horse before mounting his own.
Graely sank to his knees as the knife lodged in his shoulder, but he made no sound. The air was filled with the screams of the maimed horse. Jireo had already flung himself to the ground to retrieve his bow. Rolling up to run after Blenden while nocking an arrow, he let it fly, and Blenden cried out as the arrow embedded in his back. He tumbled off the horse, which continued to gallop riderless through the woods. Jireo ran after the kidnappers, blindly pushing though the brush that tore at his clothes. Finally realizing his efforts were futile, he dropped to his knees and keened with his face to the heavens, “A-ris-ta!” He collapsed to the ground, sobbing into his arms.
*****
Alora felt totally relaxed as she reveled in the pure fun of the energetic dance. With Kaevin on one side and Beth on the other, she flung her feet joyfully to the beat of the Cotton-Eyed Joe. Abruptly, Kaevin stiffened and cried out. She felt a terrible pain emanating from him. Acting on instinct she tried to search his mind for the source of the pain.
“Jireo!” he shouted with anguish.
In a flash, Alora was in a dark forest watching a young man on the ground before her, sobbing in agony. She felt thorns biting into her flesh. She lost her balance, sucking in air in total surprise. Where am I?
Before she could understand what she was seeing, she was back in the dance hall, with the music of the Cotton-eyed Joe blaring. She stumbled, along with her three dance partners, and they tumbled to the floor.
“What just happened? That was crazy!” cried Beth, as they scrambled to escape the onslaught of the other dancers.
“What was that?” asked Wesley. “Did I pass out or something?”
“I think I accidentally transported,” said Alora. “And then when I came back I made you guys fall down.”
“Jireo! It was Jireo!” said Kaevin, visibly shaken by more than their fall.
“I saw it, too,” said Wesley. “Did I just see it? Or did we actually go?”
“I think we all went,” said Beth. “That was so weird. Who was that guy? Why was he crying?”
“You went with me?” asked Alora. “Did all of you see that guy on the ground?”
“I’m telling you, that was Jireo. My friend. Something terrible must have happened.” Kaevin sat down and held his head in his hands.
“I’m bleeding,” said Alora. “I think I landed in a thorn bush.”
“Yep, it got me, too,” said Beth, examining her arm.
“Do you think anyone noticed we were gone?” Wesley asked.
“I need to go back,” Kaevin told Alora. “You need to send me back.”
“Okay, but I’m going with you,” she said. “I’m not risking being separated from you. I’m not good enough at this stuff to know I could get you back.”
“No, that won’t work.” Kaevin stood up, pacing back and forth. “I can’t take you with me. I have to know I can keep you safe from Vindrake.”
“Maybe you should talk to Raelene,” suggested Beth. “She might know what to do.”