When I was sure he was running at a steady-enough pace from his injuries, I stared at Kalinier's back, "'I took out all the guards nearby'?" I shouted through pants. Kalinier gave me a shrug as he ran to the front of the group.

"Guess I missed some!" He shouted cheerfully back. I laughed.

Xylin caught up to me with a panicked look spreading across his features, "How are you so calm? We could be captured any moment."

"Sorry. The thrill of the chase always gets me. It's a thief thing."

He smiled brightly despite our situation and I took his hand, running together. We were running in sync as the group slowed to a stop. I peered over Nikolei's shoulder.

"Kal?" I said hesitantly.

He let out an amused breath, "This dead-end seems safe enough to disappear?" He looked at Kyra for permission. I didn't know what he meant.

"Do it," she replied.

"Do what?" I prodded.

Kalinier began to open his mouth. But Kanin cut in: "Explain later. Let's—"

"HAND OVER THE PRINCE AND SURRENDER!" A guard roared, rounding the corner, more of his fellow companions gathering behind him.

"Kronixian," Clane growled, low and deep, steady streams of fire appearing at his hands. The guards shifted uneasily, but the leader of the group raised a hand and a gust of wind extinguished the bright flames.

"Yep, we're going!" Kalinier shouted just before the room began to dissipate into black mist and fog. The guards shouted and ran forward, some trying to tackle us to the ground, but we were already too far gone. The leader of the group charged and raised his hands, distorting the mist as Kalinier swore and tried to teleport us out of here again.

I didn't know what I was possibly thinking, but I raised my hands automatically while the others were too busy shooting Kalinier worried looks.

I knew I didn't have powers, but I felt a surge of... something around the head guard and thrust my hands out, burrowing down and down into that surge of energy until I tugged hard and extended my arms all the way forward. A ripple of power blasted through the leader, and suddenly he was on his knees clawing at his throat, gasping and falling onto the floor as he curled into a protective ball.

I returned my hands to my sides in horror as I watched the light leave his eyes and his head lolled to the side. I stood there frozen as I felt—cursed moons, I felt it when his heart stopped beating and the guard died just like that.

And then a whoop of triumph sounded from Kalinier and we disappeared into nothing.

. . .

The seven of us reappeared outside a low-hanging hidden cave entrance covered with moss and hidden from view by looming shadows created by high mountains above us.

"Where are we?" Xylin asked nervously, looking up at the imposing slabs of rocks. He was still holding my hand when Kalinier shot a disgusted look at him. I didn't care about Kalinier at the moment. The only thing keeping me from screaming in horror at what I had done to that guard was Xylin's hand grasping mine.

"We're somewhere safe, prince. We're on the border of Arien and Arnain now." Kanin replied, also looking up at the snowy mountains, but I suspected he was looking for spies and not enjoying the view.

"I know where we are geologically," Xylin snapped, pressing a hand to his side, "I meant where are we on the border? What town?"

"There isn't a town in sight for miles. This is one of the secret bases of the Ithyneian rebellion." Replied Kyra as though she were giving a lesson. She leveled a glare at him as if daring him to run back and tell the Royal Family its location. Xylin met her glare with his own, although it was softer and not as threatening.

"Right. Cool, so now what?" I asked.

Kalinier scoffed, "Now, my dear Raila, we tap on the stone and speak the magic word."

"Seriously?" Xylin asked.

"No." Kalinier and I both said at the same time with frowns directed at Xylin.

"Ah, this is way out of my zone. I think I'll just stay out of all of your way right now."

"Good idea, Princeling," Clane said, eyeing the giant piece of rock, "The patrol should be coming around soon. We did leave the base without permission after all."

"You did what?" Kanin shouted in disbelief, staring at the rebels like they had lost their minds, "Do you even know what's going to happen to you for rescuing me?"

Kyra took his hand, "Hey, we weren't just going to leave you in that cage."

Clane crossed his arms, "Sure we were. It's been a lot more fun without you, Tree-hugger."

"Okay, that's enough!" Kyra hissed, whirling on Clane as he gazed at her innocently, "Admit it Clane, you missed him as much as Nikolei and I."

"No, I didn't." He laced his hands behind his head, "Fire and wood don't usually mix well."

Kanin gave a sigh of the long-suffering, "Clane, I didn't expect you to miss me—"

"Good, 'cause I didn't. Not as much as these two anyways."

Kanin frowned, "But know that I am still your captain."

Nikolei let out a laugh and punched Clane lightly in the arm, "He got you there, Brokivere."

Clane scowled at the brown-skinned man. Kanin and I shot each other grins. I let go of Xylin's hand and clasped my own together in front of me, "So. Why don't we just invite ourselves in instead of waiting?"

Kalinier laughed and slung an arm around my shoulders, "I forgot what it was like to talk to another thief." I pushed his arm off, scowling.

"That's not what I meant."

Kyra and Kanin shared a look, "Well, to answer your question," Kanin started, "There's a patrol right there." We all looked at where he was pointing and Clane immediately let out a moan.

"Him. It just had to be him meeting us."

   "Him. It just had to be him meeting us."

"Who's that?" I asked, shivering at the sight of the cold-faced man currently walking towards us.

"That's the leader of the Ithyneian rebellion himself." Kyra said casually, but I caught the slight hitch in her voice.

Kanin shot them all a look, "And I wonder why he's here in person."

Clane shrugged, "Don't fret so much, Hylenius. He's also my father. I can be reasonable when I want to."

Kalinier snorted, "How often does that happen?" Clane scowled but didn't object.

We all watched warily as the tall, broad-shouldered man with chestnut-coloured hair came walking from around the mountain side with three rebels flanking him on either side. He stopped and frowned when he saw us, a hand going to grasp the dagger at his side. Clane offered a small wave in return as the man approached, holding himself tall and chin rigidly up.

He stopped in front of Kyra and gave her a disgusted look, "Miss Stromier, you have returned."

"Sir, I apologize for disobeying your direct orders, but—"

"I'll hear your excuse later." He turned his attention to Kanin, who was holding himself up proudly. Clane winced when that gaze briefly stopped and looked at him, but the leader of the Ithyneian rebellion heeded his son no further attention, "You have returned to us, Captain Hylenius. I sadly cannot say that I am overly pleased."

"I didn't expect you to be, sir." I gave him a sideways look at the formality he was using, "I know my team acted against your orders, but—"

"They disobeyed my orders because they are foolish. Everyone who joined this rebellion knows that we do not rescue our own unless the captured are of great number," He snapped.

Kanin lowered his eyes in submission and I suddenly wanted to punch the rebel leader myself for shoving Kanin's spirit into the ground, "I know, sir. I was captured during a routine mission and I should have spent my time in that cell for the rest of my life," his voice grew more confident, "but even if you forget about me, I will always be apart of the Ithyneian rebellion, and that you cannot change."

I stepped forward and everyone's attention went to me. I stubbornly crossed my arms and planted myself like a tree, staring the rebel leader directly in the eye, "Besides, he already got rescued. Are you just going to dump him in a prison again because you don't like him?"

Everyone was eerily quiet as I went over what I had just said. The man in front of me glared at me through slitted silver eyes, "And who might you be?"

Kalinier was instantly at my side, "She's my partner. She was also in prison."

"The last thing I need, Mister Kronixian, is another thief running loose."

"Hey!" I exclaimed. It just came out.

Clane's father shot me a look that would have sent lesser men running away, but I returned it with my own, purposefully lifting my brow slightly, daring him to try something. He grunted and at last broke eye contact, either impressed or annoyed at my confidence. He motioned at the rebels flanking him and briskly walked up to the stone entrance, tapping once and sliding a finger over a hidden latch that I had completely missed even with all my thieving skills.

He looked over a shoulder, "Clane, make sure the prince's injuries are tended too." Then he ducked under the low-hanging vines, brushing them aside and disappeared, the seven of us trailing after him as the boulder slid back into place.

I was met with a brief flash of darkness surrounding us, letting my eyes adjust before I let out a breath of relief.

We are finally safe.