TETH WAS EXHAUSTED long before he stopped his exercises. Sweat rolled from his brow to his chin as he alternated between sit-ups, push-ups, and lunges. His muscles screamed in protest, but he ignored them, pushing harder still.

Be stronger, he thought. Be faster. For her.

"RUN!"

Teth tripped over his own shoelaces, smacking his ear against the ground. Pyra's small hand slipped from his grasp, but he was back on his feet in an instant. He turned, shouting ...