Terrik was burly, but the A’li-uud behind him were downright huge. Their muscles bulged so thickly that I could see the veins pulsating through their royal blue skin, purplish lines protruding, and their shoulders were so wide that one of them could have stood behind Terrik and completely overshadow him. I felt an immediate desire to run, just to turn around and take off at a sprint and hope that I could find my way out of the tunnels. But that wasn't an option. Even if I managed to get a head start, there was no way I could outrun one, let alone four, violent A’li-uud.

Zuran looked meaner than I had ever seen him. He looked fierce normally, as all A’li-uud did, but I couldn't see his pupils at all as they had dilated into minuscule pinpricks in the center of his white irises. His fists were clenched, and his own muscles were beginning to bulge with veins. He was even swaying slightly on the spot as if he was considering hauling off and punching Terrik in the face. I hoped he wouldn't. I didn't know a lot about what was going on, but I did know enough to realize that wouldn't end well for either of us.

“I do not believe there's anything to talk about, Terrik,” Zuran said. “As I mentioned before, I am on time-sensitive business.”

“You have had your conversation,” Terrik retorted. “It is now time we have ours.”

Zuran placed an arm around my waist and pulled me so close to him that my bare skin poking through the holes in the silks pressed flat against his torso and grew warm instantly. His fingers dug into my side as if they still wanted to be a fist. I grimaced, but he did not loosen his hold.

“May I ask what you would like to discuss?” Zuran asked through nearly closed lips.

Terrik continued to leer. “We had an agreement, and, if I recall, that agreement required weekly delivery from you.”

“There was nothing to deliver. There was no news.”

“We needed the key to the vault.” Terrik cocked his head. “Or did you forget? Were you too caught up in becoming a good little warrior than remaining loyal to the people that took care of you from the time you left home?”

“You never took care of me,” Zuran snarled. His fingers now clawed so deep that I was certain I was going to have nail marks. “I had to learn how to take care of myself. Everything you taught me only led to more trouble.”

He was inching backward, bit by bit, and I wouldn't have realized if I didn’t stumble with the sudden distance between us. I took a step back, but it was not unnoticed by Terrik. He closed the space that Zuran had made. “If that is truly how you feel, maybe our discussion should be going rather differently.”

“I feel we need not be having a discussion at all,” shot back Zuran.

“Well, unfortunately, you have never held the position of authority in which you had the right to make that decision.” Terrik grinned broadly. “I do.”

Zuran was silent for a moment. His fingers repeatedly squeezed my side like he was thinking with his hand. Terrik waited, which surprised me because I did not take him for a patient person. Finally, Zuran nodded.

“May I have a moment?” he asked.

Terrik quirked a brow. “Quickly,” he said.

Zuran turned me around and walked several steps away from Terrik and his band of hooligans. He leaned very close to me so only I could hear him. “When I say run,” he whispered, “run.”

“What?” I exclaimed as quietly as I could. “You don't seriously think we can outrun them?”

“No, I do not.” He darted a look over his shoulder at them to ensure they were not listening, and then looked back at me. “But I do not intend to outrun them.”

I realized then what he meant. He wanted me to run while he fought. Or else he was going to go with them willingly, and that meant I probably wouldn't see him again. In fact, either way, there was a good chance I wouldn't see him again. I shook my head wildly.

“No,” I protested. “No, no, no.”

“Phoebe,” he muttered urgently. “This is not a time to argue. The most important thing is getting you out of here to safety.”

“I don't even know where I'm going. I'll end up lost in the tunnels.”

“Better lost in the tunnels than Terrik’s prisoner.” He cupped my chin in his hand, and he leaned down. When his lips met mine, I felt the familiar rush of adrenaline and desire, but I also felt a sense of foreboding. It was like this was our kiss goodbye, and I didn't want it to stop. He pulled back, though, and brushed a stray strand of hair from my forehead. “Try to remember how we came in. If you make it out, go to the colony. Do not stay on the walk. If you get lost, I will find you.”

“What if you can't?” I whispered. I suddenly felt near tears.

“Terrik has never bested me before,” he whispered reassuringly. “And I have done much training since the last time we sparred.”

“There’s four of them. There's one of you. This isn't difficult math.”

“I am asking you to do what I need you to do in order to stay safe,” he intoned firmly. “This is not only for your safety, Phoebe. This is also for mine. I cannot be distracted by my need to protect you.”

It was the first time he had voiced anything about needing to protect me, but I understood what he meant. If I were there, he would not be focused. He would be too caught up in making sure I wasn't hurt, taken, or killed. His best chance at survival, as much as I didn't want to admit it, was without me.

“Okay,” I agreed willingly.

He kissed me again and then turned around. Terrik was still there waiting.

“Have you finished?” he asked snidely.

“Yes,” Zuran replied. “I am ready.”

“I am pleased to have your human join us,” Terrik remarked, refocusing his seedy eyes on me.

“Oh, no,” Zuran interjected. “She will not be staying.”

Terrik’s lip curled. The same brow he lifted earlier lifted again, and his eyes flashed. “I do believe she will, Zuran. I think it is time I learn a little something about humans.”

“I said no,” Zuran repeated. Then, so loudly the walls of the lair practically shook, he yelled, “Run!”