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The grove shifted around us We were in the reain as he greeted the rove

"Kara, coan to rip

"Wait, please" My heart pounded while I hoped to hell and back that the collar would shieldwhat I was about to do

His grip tightened on rove began to activate, then cursed, face going intense as he literally draggedrove Take me now! Take me to Rhyzkahl!

He stopped as the power rose around us and pivoted to face h clenched teeth "I will co brilliant like, "Bite one before I could even form the words

Chapter 11

It took me a couple of seconds to realize that Mzatal hadn’t simply disappeared "Holy fuckballs," I breathed, then let out a shaky laugh I did it I used the grove I escaped!

The distant bellow of a reyza cah the tree tunnel Rhyzkahl’s demons kneas here, or rather, they knew sohttiid The trees of the grove gave off a soft bluish glow, and sigils that rehts marked the path of the tree tunnel Full of triumph and still pumped with adrenaline, I headed for the tunnel and the freedole of activation as I reached the arch of trees I glanced back, andin the center of the clearing His face contorted into a snarl of deter heart went into hyperdrive Shit! I’d hoped he wouldn’t be able to follow so quickly I broke into a run, heading for the night blackness at the far opening of the tree tunnel Surely Mzatal wouldn’t dare pursue once I was out of the grove and on Rhyzkahl’s turf Or would he? I had no real idea how the dynamics of the lords worked

I cleared the arched trees, and an instant later a lasso of potency snaked around round to try to pull away froainst the dahts of a palace ahead, and lance back at Mzatal, heart dropping at the black anger on his face He advanced quickly, keeping the potency rope taut I continued to struggle, but I kneas only a ain And I’ll never have another chance to escape after this

Before Mzatal could reach me, a reyza landed beside me with a whoosh of air He bellowed at Mzatal, and I breathed in relief when the lord stopped, though I would’ve been even more relieved if the reyza had e the lasso frorowl came from his throat

I thrust my forearm up at hiasped "Help me, please!"

The demon took less than a second to assess the mark, then his eyes lifted to Mzatal He bared his teeth and moved to stand over me protectively

"Rhyzkahl’s marked one in Rhyzkahl’s domain," the reyza snarled and pointed at the lasso "She will not go with you, Mzatal"

My pulse slammed as Mzatal continued to hold the lasso taut The muscles of his jaitched, and the menace of his stare made me wonder if he would actually stop even now

An eternity later he recalled the lasso with a sharp jerk of his hand I finally reain

"I will retrieve you, Kara," he toldto believe I was truly free froaze locked on e wavered in my chest, then faded before I even had a chance to fully realize it was there

Mzatal’s expression grew even darker He clenched his raised hand so hard his knuckles hite Taking a step back, he slowly lowered his fist, eyes on mine "I will retrieve you," he repeated