of relief that he was only being hunted-again-by a native surface animal. Danifae hadn't taken her revenge after all, certainly not with Jeggred as her second. The weapons master briefly entertained the idea that Halisstra was right about her former servant, but the reality of his situation intruded once again.
The animal leaped at him, and Ryld was ready for it. He had Splitter up and to the side and had just tensed his arms in preparation for a downward slice across his chest to dig at the animal's head when the thing stopped. The animal halted in midair for a heartbeat then fell. It made a sound that was halfway between a growl and a whimper when it hit the ground, already scrambling to regain its feet.
The weapons master hopped back, bringing Splitter quickly in front of him to guard against- "Jeggred," Ryld said.
The draegloth held the huge cat by its tail, his eyes glowing red in the darkness. Even as the animal turned on him, Jeggred's lips pulled back over his teeth in a feral, hate-filled smile.
Halisstra stepped off the stairs onto what she assumed was the highest floor of the slowly crumbling structure and there she saw Danifae. A gasp passed across her parted lips at the sight of her former servant. Danifae had always been beautiful-that was part of what made her such a desirable possession-but though it hardly seemed possible, the girl had grown even more attractive. The ample curves of her strong body made an alluring silhouette in the dark space, and her bright white hair framed her round, beautiful face in a way Halisstra had never seen on her normally pragmatic and simple battle-captive.
"What's wrong?" Danifae asked, her voice quiet. "Do I look different?"
Halisstra nodded and stepped away from the top of the stairs, careful to keep her back to the wall.
"Yes, you do. Freedom agrees with you, Danifae."
"Yes, Halisstra," Danifae replied. Halisstra did not fail to miss the fact that Danifae had called her by name. "Freedom does agree with me," she continued, "but there is much to discuss and precious little time."
Halisstra arced an eyebrow and let a hand slip to the hilt of the Crescent Blade.
"You are in danger here," Danifae warned, her eyes darting to Halisstra's weapon. "I was careless and was found out."
Halisstra's blood went cold, and she said, "Found out?"
"I was gone too long," said Danifae. "I was questioned by the high priestess and the mage, and they . . . did things to me to make me tell them about you, about Ryld, and all of it. All of it that I know."
Halisstra tried to take a deep breath but found her chest tight with anxiety. "Where are they?" Halisstra asked.
"Far away," replied Danifae, "and well prepared for their journey to the Abyss, but they sent Jeggred back with me."
Halisstra's blood ran even colder, and she said, "The draegloth? Why?"
"To kill you both."
Halisstra looked madly around the ruin and found the crack in the wall she'd earlier seen Danifae standing in. Though it meant turning her back on Danifae, Halisstra ran to the crack and began wildly scanning the dark swamp below for any sign of Ryld. There was a pain in her chest she'd never felt before. She couldn't see either the weapons master or the draegloth.
"He's out there, I assure you," said Danifae.
"So you drew me here?" Halisstra asked, not turning from her fruitless search of the swamp below. "You drew us both into a trap?"
"Yes, I did," said the former battle-captive, "but I can save you. I can save you, but I can't save you both."
"How can you stop a draegloth that has been sent to kill?" Halisstra asked. She scowled, still scanning the swamp. There were spaces where the trees were tall and thick enough to hide the surface all together.
Ryld must have gone in there, Halisstra thought, perhaps lured in by Jeggred. "I can't stop a draegloth," Danifae admitted. "If Jeggred means to kill you both, he will, or Ryld will kill him, or I will kill him. Either way, there will be deaths tonight."
Halisstra sighed, not sure what to do and afraid that Ryld was already dead. "I don't have to stop Jeggred," Danifae continued, "or kill him. Just go, and leave the rest to Ryld and me. If the weapons master can best the draegloth, fine. If not, I can convince Jeggred that I killed you."
"Why would he trust you?" asked Halisstra. "He'll want to see my body ... or