Liana smiled as she heard the satisfying thwack! of her arrow hitting the center circle, quivering until it settled in place.

"Nice try," Charlie huffed, pinning her arrow in the bullseye. "But I will always be reigning Champion of Archery."

"Not if I can help it!" Iris challenged, sending hers whistling through the air. It landed just off the center, and she grumbled. "Drat."

"Haha! I am still Champion!" Charlie waved her bow in Iris's face, gloating. "Losers are on bathroom duty!"

"No way!" Liana protested, yanking Charlie's arrow out with her mind. Haughtily she stuck it on the edge of the target. "Now I'm Champion!"

Charlie gave her an artfully crafted eye roll and went to retrieve their arrows. "You're a bad sport."

"You're just sour," Liana teased, watching Iris stare at something in the distance. She followed her gaze to where Kian was hiking up to their range. "Aw, I thought this was for just the girls!"

"Sorry to ruin your fun, but Jerik wants you," he said, glancing at Liana. Although his tone was mocking, his face was grim.

"Is it about Taylor?"

He shook his head. "I think he'd better tell you."

She followed him towards the main building, surprised they wouldn't be meeting in Jerik's tent. He normally liked the privacy of the thick, pearly cloth.

Liana's mind drifted, guessing that he wanted to ask her about her progress with the acid fog. She'd been able to solidify the mist that had wafted into the camp, but that was nothing compared to the fog that would smother the entire island.

Jerik's face was clouded with worry as he met them inside the main hall. He quickly dipped his head to Kian, dismissing him. Liana noted that the other representatives were there as well.

"Why are we telling her this again?" A black- haired man asked, sighing. "This is private information."

"Because I believe she can find him. I don't doubt her abilities, Morgan."

"Find who?" Liana asked, glancing at the four representatives.

Jerik took a deep breath, pursing his lips. "Blackthorne escaped."

Thanks for 3K! Hehe. Sorry for the cliffhanger