The trees closed in around Katelina. Jorick slowed but didn't stop. Sorino crashed through the vegetation behind them, Kai on his heels. Suddenly Ronnell appeared long enough to slam Kai into a tree and slash at him with a knife. Then he was gone and the boy crumpled to the ground, only to pick himself up and wipe the blood from his cheek.

Sorino pulled a final throwing knife from his coat and flung it into the middle of nowhere. One second Katelina could see it, spinning into ...