Omar galloped at full speed. Avian held on to him, keeping herself from bouncing off. I glanced at the apprentice, making sure he didn’t wiggle free from his binding. I doubted Omar’s horse moved this fast naturally. If not for the potions I fed our horses, I don’t know if they could have matched our speed.

  I looked behind us while keeping up with the Void Wigon. Not expecting anyone to follow, I was surprised to see a rider in the distance. They managed to close the gap, which made me believe their horse also used a potion. Perhaps Kiri had caught up sooner than I thought. While I wanted her to rejoin the group, I had hoped she would find us after Omar departed. Explaining her sudden presence could be difficult. When I lied about working for Dante, I didn’t think to mention a fifth member of our group.

  Omar stopped a shot from the wall, in an area with heavy brush. He kicked at the ground as if searching for something.

  I glanced over my shoulder. Kiri got closer, but slowed. She had a second person on the horse. The details were difficult to make out from here, but I assumed it was the Rasmun she went to Palla Cahua to fetch. I waved my hand at her, signaling for them to wait. I wasn’t sure what the Rasmun would say, but he wouldn’t realize the lies I had already told, nor would Kiri.

  They stopped behind a tree, then emerged a moment later, creeping through the trees towards us, now on foot.

  I turned to Omar. “What are you looking for?”

  His foot struck something solid. “The hatch.” He grinned. “Tie the horses.”

  “We wanted to bring them back to Dante,” I said.

  He shook his head. “We saw you on the wagon with Yauri. We can’t risk fracturing our business relationship with her by allowing you to escape with her property.” He shrugged. “Besides, they won’t fit through the opening.” He bent down and struggled with the hatch, lifting the iron lid and sliding it across the ground. By the looks of it, it must weigh as much as a horse. No man could lift such a thing, not without a strength spell.

  Avian stepped forward and peered into the tunnel. “Tight,” she said. “Will you fit?”

  Omar nodded. “I’ll follow after you make it through.”

  I moved forward and stared into the small dark passage. We’d have to crawl. Most of us would have a little wiggle room, but both of Omar’s shoulders would be rubbing against the dirt. Glancing back at the apprentice, I asked, “How are we going to get him to cooperate long enough to make it through the tunnel?”

  “We won’t.” He drew his sword. “Dante can always make another.” While approaching the apprentice, he raised his blade.”

  “Don’t,” I said.

  He glared at me. “You have become fond of this thing.” He grinned. “You know it is only the shell of a yaksha.”

  “Listen to him,” Kiri said, stepping from behind a tree.

  He turned his focus on her. “Another spy?”

  “She’s with the Rasmun she accompanies.” Avian said. “Layla must have sent her to bring me a message.”

  An older man wearing a black robe stepped beside Kiri. He studied our faces before speaking. “She asked me to deliver a message directly. For Avian’s ears only.”

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  Omar pointed his sword at the man. “And who are you?”

  “Bedri.” He bowed his head. “From the order of Rasmun.”

  “I’ve heard the name.” Omar lowered his sword.

  I spoke up. “Dante would want us to bring the apprentice back with the human when we return him.” I glanced at Kiri and raised my eyebrows.

  Her eyes widened for a moment, but then sparkled with realization. “Yes, he has another task meant for this one.” She locked eyes with Omar.

  “I thought you were to use him as a distraction if needed?” Omar’s forehead crinkled as he glared at Kiri. “What lovely eyes you have my dear.” His nostrils flared. “A human, a yaksha, and a green-eyed harlot.” He scoffed. “You must think me dense.” He lifted his sword.

  “You don’t want to do that my son,” Bedri said. “For the order will punish anyone who harms a member.”

  “You and your fidi spy should step out of the way.” He smiled. “I only mean to slay the three bandits.” He locked eyes with the man. “A Rasmun is not to interfere unless a contract is being broken. And I have no such contract.” Pointing his head toward Avian, he added, “She is safe as well, as long as she doesn’t interfere.”

  Bedri nodded and stepped back. “Avian, stand down. Your interference won’t change their fate.”

  Sani pulled his spear and leaped forward. Before he was within range, Omar threw powder into his face. Sani’s movements slowed as if he slogged through mud.

  I grabbed a handful of powder that I had stolen from Dante, throwing it at Omar.

  He hollered and blinked his eyes, then swung wildly, hitting only air. “Sight isn’t necessary to beat the likes of you.” He chugged a vial of black liquid. His muscles tightened, then rippled. His veins protruded from his skin, as thick as fingers. The ground trembled when he stomped his foot.

  Kiri lunged forward, still fast because of the human blood she had drunk.

  Omar was faster. He spun, throwing his hands out like two battering rams. His fist sent Kiri flying back.

  I drew my sword. Before I could raise it, Omar charged, tearing out tufts of soil as he moved. Spinning, I barely escaped his reach. My sword deflected off his face, leaving no mark.

  Kiri stepped forward, but Bedri grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

  Sani still oozed forward, so slow that I could barely register his movement.

  Kiri soared through the air, seeming to come from the trees. She landed feet first on Omar’s head.

  He flinched slightly, swatting at her with his enormous arms. She spun around him, evading his attacks and maneuvering to Omar’s back. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and her arms squeezed his neck.

  Omar bucked like a long bear, trying to shake her from himself. He slapped back at her head, making contact, and drawing some blood from her nose.

  I lunged forward, swinging my sword like a war hammer, clubbing Omar against the bridge of the nose.

  He made a slight sound as his hand flew to his nose, rubbing it.

  Whatever he took made him tough to hurt, but his skin could be penetrated.

  Omar rushed backward, smashing against a tree, with Kiri between him and it. I lunged again, swinging hard at the man’s nose. Contact again.

  This time he grabbed me, missing my head but catching my leather armor. I tried to pull back but couldn’t break his grip.

  Kiri continued to squeeze his thick neck. But he appeared unfazed.

  A dagger flew past me, sticking between two of his fingers. He let go of me and shook his hand, knocking the dagger free.

  I didn’t look back to see Avian, but realized she had interceded on my behalf.

  Omar reached back with both hands, managing to grab both of Kiri’s shoulders. He stepped forward and threw, prying her off his back and sending her into a tree. Raising both of his hands into the air, he hollered like a beast.

  A beast hollered back. The sound came from behind us.

  Omar charged me.

  I dropped to the ground, dodging his large fist and rolling away.

  As I regained my feet, I saw two figures leap from the trees. Kiri and the Sasquatch. He must have felt Kiri’s distress and climbed the wall.

  They landed on each side of Omar, raining blows and dodging his attacks. I rushed up from the front, jumped in the air, and came down with everything I had, stabbing my sword forward, landing the tip directly in the yaksha’s eye. The blade broke through, sinking as deep as my finger.

  Omar screamed, flailing his arms like a madman. He made contact with both the sasquatch and Kiri, knocking them to the ground. With his now-free hands, he grabbed both of my shoulders and pulled. I felt my muscles stretch and my bones start to slip from the sockets. He was trying to rip me in half with his bare hands.

  I struggled to move my arms, unable to lift them. I reached for his waist instead, trying to grasp the pouches swinging from his belt.