Aidan’s arms ached from pushing on the confines of the net to make more room so as not to crush Rhianna. The invisible trap hugged the five of them tightly, and he worked it so she would at least be on top.

Theodora placed them on display in the center of town, hanging the net from a large hook that extended from the facade of the library. She had obviously done this before. Now more than ever, Katsu’s comment about torture niggled at Aidan.

The people didn’t come out of the dwellings, but he could see their eyes watching from behind the windows. A few heads extended beyond doorways, then quickly ducked back inside.

“Sharpen your weapons. At five o’clock, there will be an extra special Game Day,” Theodora announced.

Aidan fisted his hands. “Theodora, how about something a bit different? Why don’t you just pit me against your best fighter? I’m certain it would be a good show.”

He’d expected some form of retribution for their attempt to escape, but he was worried about Rhianna. He needed to shift the sorceress’s attention.

“I don’t give a damn about their entertainment,” Theodora bit out. “I will not be deserted. You should not have tried to leave.” Her voice had a insane quality to it.

He put his lips beside Rhianna’s ear and whispered, “If we fight, stay behind me. And if you must fight, position yourself around those who have many marks on their neck. They will be the weakest. With your fighting skills, you will do well.” He attempted to build her confidence. It might be the only thing she had going for her.

She glanced sideways at him. “Okay.”

He let his lips brush her cheek. He didn’t want her to fight at all, dammit. A fire started to burn in his gut at his helplessness.

Theodora took a position on a terrace in the middle of the square. She waved a hand. A strange, eerie sound echoed along the street, it was like a high-pitched horn, signaling the fight to begin. Then her voice boomed. “Kill the Guardian and you earn an extra boon!”

Aidan wondered how the people would know he was a Guardian. Then he recalled that he’d transformed into his eagle form during the last war.

Theodora lifted her scepter, the net vanished, and the five of them dropped to the ground. Aidan landed on his feet and helped Rhianna up from the ground. A cloud of dirt swirled around them, getting in his eyes and making Rhianna cough. He pushed her behind him as he heard the battle cries of the people.

Men and women alike burst from the buildings, converging on them but clearly aiming for him. Which was good, he thought. It would take the pressure off Rhianna.

One man in particular caught his attention as he rushed toward them with a samurai sword—Rhianna’s great-grandfather. Katsu positioned himself next to Rhianna. She nodded at him and assumed a fighting stance, her feet wide apart, one foot forward, and the other back to easily shift her weight.

Her great-grandfather wielded his sword, taking down any opponent that came near Rhianna. When there were so many he couldn’t fend them all off, one slipped through. Rhianna was ready, though, and she swung around in a karate jump, fanning her leg and knocking her attacker off his feet. Katsu finished the man off with a clean stab to the heart.

Six men charged at Aidan then. With a bend and jump, he shifted into his tiger form. The change was enough to throw the fighters off guard and cause them to hesitate. He leaped over them and burst into a full run. Men darted into his path, swinging their swords, striking wildly as he passed, hoping to do damage. He roared, bared his teeth, and dodged each attack.

Out of the corner of his eye, he kept watch on Theodora and the scepter. If they were going to get out of here, that was the key.

He sprinted for the elevated terrace from where she observed the battle.

Theodora watched him approach. His great paws thudded over the ground as he got closer and closer. Her gaze slid back to the fighting.

“The woman! Kill the woman!” Theodora ordered her subjects.

Aidan looked back. “No!” he screamed.

But the crowd didn’t hesitate, and they shifted their attack. Katsu slashed every opponent that came within range of his blade. But two men with bloodlust on their eyes got past. Rhianna hit them hard, using her karate and weapons training, but one man spun clear of her kick and struck her down with a blow to the side of her neck. It was enough topple her. Rhianna fell, blood seeping from the wound, and her eyes rolled back into her head as it hit the ground.

A roar ripped from Aidan’s throat, so violent that the taste of blood invaded his mouth. A throbbing pain squeezed his chest at her unmoving body, an ache he couldn’t bear racking through his body. Focusing all of his abilities on her, he tried to distinguish her heartbeat.

Nothing. A volcano of agony erupted inside of him. He had lost her before he had ever truly had her.

He used all his rage and anguish to vault himself off the dais, transforming into his eagle and launching into flight. He soared, and soared, and soared, trying to push past the agony to think clearly. He couldn’t make an attempt for the scepter now. He had to wait until Theodora brought Rhianna back to life. So what did he do now?

Another fear hit him. Would the sorceress even bring her back?