I put the spurs to my horse and fly across the field toward the forest. The shadows of darkness are descending fast, the red-orange ball of the sun barely clinging to the horizon. The cool wind picks up; nightfall will carry a frigid breath that could prove fatal to the Elowen. Running away this late in the day was the most foolish thing. If I don't get to her, hypothermia will.

As the trees surround me in a protective embrace, I pull the reins harshly. My horse slows to a halt. Dismounting, I squat down and run my fingertips over the green carpet of the small meadow.

"What do we have here?"

The ground has been trampled but not enough to break the blades of the grass, yet the tracks are too large for an animal. A barefooted person, even more foolish than the escape itself. Does the girl want to lose her toes?

With the click of my tongue, I rise to my feet and let my gaze roam. A few rays of the setting sun cut through the thick roof of the trees and cover the meadow in an ominous glow. From a distance, the screech of a bird-of-prey filters through the serene stillness and raises the hairs on my neck. I sense the aura of a strong magical presence that doesn't belong in these woods. An enemy to look out for.

I turn toward the trees. "Tell me what happened? Did you see a girl?"

Their long shadows sweep down, wrap around my conscious mind, their whispers filled with giggles. I cock my head and listen, my brows rising with incredulity.

"Really, a manure cart?"

The girl earned a point for originality.

Plus I would've paid gold to see her covered in shite.

"Where did she go?"

The shadows curl over the ground, twisting and cutting into each other in zealous rivalry to serve their master. Their trail leads me to a small hole in the underbrush. I raise my palm and the branches shrink away. Whistling for my horse to follow, I step through the dense brambles. On the other side, I almost stumble over a pile of torn clothes that were hastily discarded.

Now this is going to be interesting.

With one hand on the halter of my horse, I trudge through the woods, shuddering as a cool breeze whips through my long hair. The sky is painted in a colorful explosion of red and orange hues that slowly fade with every step. Another screech of the bird has me pause; the creature is nearby. The air sizzles with the magnetism of their power. I pull my sword. This one is worth checking out before I continue my search for the Elowen girl.

I stroke the nose of the horse. "Stay here."

The mare neighs its understanding.

Following the spark of magic growing in intensity, I approach a tall bush wall. The shrubbery disentangles its arms upon my command, allowing passage with a little bit of prompting. Almost through to the other side, the shadows of the night caution my steps. They whirl with news, their whispers an incoherent jumble. One swoop of my hand shuts them up. Hiding behind the thick shrubs, I peek through a hole, just as the Elowen girl drops to the ground.

For a few beats, the man who knocked her out stares down on her. He is light for a mage, filled with magic that is too strong for a scout but too weak for a leader stepping freely onto enemy turf without an army. That leaves a rogue, and since he appears to be connected to the screeching bird, he must be a Tisi. I scan the clearing for a feathered ally but only find a horse emitting calmness. I can't tell if it's a magical creature or not.

The man hunkers down to pick up the Elowen girl, which would give him a claim to her. I decide to put an end to this. Stepping out of my hiding place, I raise my chin. "Hey, why don't you pick on someone your own size?"

He halts in his tracks and gets back to his feet. As he looks me over, his magic spikes. Clearly, he's out to intimidate me, a tactic that's not very impressive. "This doesn't concern you, shadow warlock." His voice holds the purring sophistication of a noble; a picture that doesn't match the dirt under his fingernails.

I fold my arms and stretch to my full height. "Oh, but it does. Not only are you on my land, but you are messing with my slave."

He cocks a brow and chuckles. "Are you asserting to be her master?"

"I don't need to assert anything. I am her master."

"Then what is she doing out here on her own?"

I snort. "Like I said, this is my land, so I damn well don't have to justify myself to you."

He smiles, drawing me in with a hypnotic stare. Our minds collide, sending throbs across my skull. In the next breath, he attempts to exert his primary power by paralyzing me with his glare, but my shields deter the attack.

That's the best you can do?

Time to show him who rules the Anou Dynasty.

The shadows around me cackle with laughter as they block out the last light of the sun. With darkness falling, my eyes adjust. I open my mind and allow my powers to escape. They will wreak havoc. Mist curls around the Tisi's ankles and crawls up his thighs, caressing his hips and midsection as they close in on his spirit. Searching through years of past memories to find his ultimate weakness—his greatest fear. As realization settles in, his eyes widen. I open up his nightmares and he drops to the ground. His body convulses.

"Get on your knees." I will take his head with my sword.

A new power source hits me out of nowhere and energy waves drive me into the bushes. My connection with the man is cut at its roots. The horse whickers, its nostrils flaring. It scrapes its hooves over the ground. There's no more doubt that the animal is another Tisi, but the coward doesn't shift forms. The man is back to his feet and our eyes meet. I'm about to regain control when he transforms with a puff into a cloud of smoke. A little rodent scurries away.

I squint. Seriously? A field mouse.

That's his animal form?

I scoff.

What a loser.

The horse rears, one of its hooves scraping my face. I cut my blade upward, but the frigger avoids my blow. Lightening brightens the sky, followed by rolling thunder. Fat drops fall on my head. With one more flare of its nostrils, the horse gallops into the forest, pulling the rain with it. I lift a brow. That was some fancy magic.

Turning my attention to the Elowen girl, I kneel down beside her. She's still out cold.

I gently slap her face. "C'mon, little sparrow, wake up."

Her eyelids flutter and she groans.

I smack her a little harder. When her gaze meets mine, she shrieks. Backpedaling, she scoots over the ground with amazing speed, her renewed attempt to flee stopped by the trunk of a mammoth tree. Her eyes are so wide with panic that I almost feel sorry for her.

Almost but not quite.

Punishment is forthcoming.

As I stroll over to her, she quivers like a flimsy flag of surrender.

I chuckle. "Did you seriously think you could escape?"

She has sense enough to drop her gaze.

"Answer me!" I thunder.

The shake of her head is a feeble attempt to save her pathetic life.

"On your knees."

She obliges within a breath. Shivering in her thin clothes that only cover the bare minimum, she's totally at my mercy. I could strike her down, force myself on her, beat her to a pulp, and the gods would take no issue. As an Elowen, she doesn't even rise to the level of soap scum.

I turn my sword around and raise her chin with the hilt. Jori was right; she is prettier than most of them. A golden glow coats her skin and her eyes are the darker color of wild honey. Her long, blond hair is in a bird-nest jumble with a hint of manure still sticking to it, plus her lip is chewed bloody, but overall, she appears salvageable.

"What were you thinking, running away?  You would've frozen to death during the night."

She doesn't respond, though her eyes fill with tears.

I lower the sword. "Are you that afraid of me, little sparrow?"

A few tears roll down her cheeks.

I hunker down, my words no louder than a whisper. "You think I'm scary, but you've seen nothing yet. My powers can break you without killing you." I stroke a few strands of hair out of her face, savoring the scent of fear pouring out of every pore. Her whole frame shakes in painful anticipation; it's the type of terror that pumps me full of adrenaline. I'll relish every second of her torment.

Rising to my feet, I look down at her trembling body and chuckle. "Let me show you what will happen if you're ever foolish enough to make me angry again."

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