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Winn’s breath caught. Seeing him there, battered but alive, sent a surge of both relief and fury through her. Relief, because despite everything, he was still alive. Fury, because his presence here—bound, bloodied, and humiliated—was a stark reminder of their captors’ cruelty. She could only hope his wink meant the apples had worked.

Her heart ached to reach out to him, to offer comfort. She started to rise, but Elara grabbed her arm and yanked her backdown.

“Don’t,” she hissed. “There’s nothing you can do and you don’t want to attract attention.”

Skarrp sauntered closer to Jo’Nay, his single eye gleaming with malicious amusement, one clawed hand caressing the hilt of the Vettian sword hooked to his belt. He gestured toward Winn with his other hand, his voice a venomous growl. “You’re coming with me, human. Time for a little chat.”

Before Winn could react two of Skarrp’s men, their movements swift and brutal, grabbed her, dragging her from the group of women. She struggled against their grip, but their hold was too strong.

“Let go!” she cried out, fighting them every inch of the way. “I have nothing to say.”

Skarrp, sensing Jo’Nay’s fury, laughed, aharsh, grating sound that sent shivers down Winn’s spine. He shoved Winn forward, his hand gripping her arm, the gleaming Vettian sword pressed against her throat.

“Tell me, Vettian,” he drawled. “Do you think your comrades will come for you? Are they that loyal? Or have they abandoned you to your fate?”

Jo’Nay’s gaze burned with defiance. “You know nothing of loyalty, Skarrp.”

Skarrp chuckled, his laughter grating. “Oh, Iknow plenty. And I know a warrior like you is worth more alive than dead. But if you refuse to cooperate, Imight change my mind.”

He turned to Winn, his gaze predatory. “And this one. She’s special to you, isn’t she? Ican see it in the way you look at her. Tell me what I want to know, and I might let her live.”

Winn’s heart pounded, but she met Skarrp’s gaze with unflinching defiance. “You won’t get anything from him,” she said, her voice steady. “And you’ll regret underestimating him.”

Skarrp’s smile twisted into a snarl. He grabbed Winn’s arm and yanked her in front of him. Jo’Nay surged forward, but the bindings and the Marauders’ weapons held himback.

“Let her go, Skarrp,” Jo’Nay growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Or I will make you regret it.”

Skarrp smiled, acruel, mocking expression that twisted his scarred face. “I don’t think so, Vettian,” he said, his voice a silken whisper. “I think you’re in no position to make demands.”

He tightened his grip on Winn, the sword digging into her skin. “Now, be a good little warrior and tell me what I want to know. Or she suffers the consequences.”

Winn closed her eyes, her body trembling, the cold metal of the sword sending shivers down her spine. She had never felt so helpless and vulnerable, so utterly terrified.

“Where is your unit, Jo’Nay?”

“I have no idea. We went our separate ways in preparation for our Final Flight.”

A low growl rumbled deep in Skarrp’s throat. “I might consider that a possibility if you were showing any signs of your Final Flight. But you are not. Your hair and eyes are those of a full-fledged warrior. Explain that, if you can.”

“The physical change isn’t the only sign of an impending Final Flight. I’ve been experiencing heat flashes. That’s why I left my unit.”

“If you were truly facing your Final Flight, then how are you able to recover from wounds that would kill any other creature?” Skarrp pressed, his voice a menacing purr. “Tell me, and I’ll let her go. Lie to me, and she dies.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he insisted defiantly.

It was a gamble, Winn sensed. Adesperate attempt to buy time and find a way out of their impossible situation.

Skarrp’s eye narrowed, his grip on Winn tightening. “Don’t play games with me, Vettian,” he bit out, aharsh warning underscoring his words. “Your recovery is nothing short of miraculous. How is it happening?”

“I do not—”

“Enough! Iwill get the information out of you one way or another.” He tapped the gauntlet he wore. Arow of buttons blinked ominously. “And I have an alternate plan should things not go my way.”

He leaned closer to Winn, the sword pressing harder against her skin, drawing a thin line of blood. “You’re a beautiful creature, human,” he murmured, his voice a sickening caress. “It would be a shame to waste such… potential.”

Winn’s mind raced. She had to think of something, anything, to defuse the situation. “The buyers,” she said quickly. “They’ll pay more if we’re unharmed. If he’s unharmed. You know that.”

Skarrp hesitated, his greed momentarily overriding his cruelty. With a growl, he shoved Winn back toward the women. She stumbled but stayed on her feet, her gaze locking with Jo’Nay’s, steadfast and reassuring. “Don’t tell,” she mouthed.

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