Flashbacks of Kallie beneath the tree flooded her mind.

She would not be rendered helpless.

She kicked, struggled, and made it as hard as possible for Dani to get a hold of her.

Ahead of her, Graeson rippedthe shard of glass from his side, and sticky blood coated his fingers. He pressed his hand against the wound and stepped forward, doubling over.

Kallie's heart thundered, sweat beaded at the base of her next, soaking the back of her hair.

She had to get out of here.

Kallie grabbed onto the tendrils of her gift, tightening them within her hold as Dani snapped metal cuffs to her wrists, the chain connecting them clanging together.

"Grab him!" Dani shouted.

As chaos erupted around her, Kallie released the command, and the sound of pounding boots filled the air as figures dashed past her.

Chapter 19

GRAESON

Most thoughtrage was like drowning in flames. But true rage was a pool of ice--a numbness coating your skin and blinding you from all sense.

A flood of Tetrian guards ran into the room, running past Dani and Kalisandre on the floor.

"What do you think you are doing?" Graeson spat as the guards tugged him backward.

No one answered him, though. Instead, Ellie stepped between Graeson and Kalisandre. Her fingers flexed around the hilt of a throwing knife, and her expression was cold as she commanded the guards. "Dani, take her now!"

"Ellie," Graeson warned, voice grave.

Kalisandre's muffled screams filled the room as she struggled against Dani's hold. Then, suddenly, Dani stood, her hands falling from Kalisandre.

Ellie gasped as Kalisandre struggled to her feet. "Dani, what are you doing? Grab her!" she demanded.

A sound akin to a laugh fell around the gag lodged into Kalisandre's mouth. Her brown locks fell in front of her face, and she stared at them with an ire-filled gaze, a storm roaring.

Graeson's eyes widened in horror. "She's manipulating her!" Graeson shouted.

"What? That's not possible," Ellie shrieked. "Guards!"

At her command, more guards immediately barreled into the room as if they had been waiting outside.

Graeson jerked from the guards' grip, his shoulder twisting and popping with a sickening sound. But before he could escape, another guard lunged forward, grabbing onto him.

One of the women came at Kalisandre and snatched her arm. Kalisandre swiftly spun around, her tangled brown hair swirling through the air. In an instant, the guard released her and redirected his attention towards Ellie.

"Ellie!" Graeson yelled as the guard ran toward her. Ellie spun, blocking the woman's swing and then knocking her out.

"Get off me!" Graeson shouted at the guards holding him. "I'm the only one she can't control!"

The guards did not let go of him. Their grips only tightened.

Guards continued to attack Kallie, snatching her limbs and tugging her. Each one though, quickly fell under her command, releasing her and charging after Ellie. But not without twisting her limbs and forcing out a high-pitched scream from her lungs.

A deep rumble vibrated through his throat as he was forced to watch. He had promised that she would not get hurt.

"Fucking knock her out already!" Ellie shouted as guards surrounded her, their swords unsheathed.