"What do you mean 'it's me?' Of course it's me, you dim wit!" The girl stepped back to look at Seth, confused. She wondered why he would ask her that. "Stop distracting me!" Then she returned the sword to his throat, causing him to back away. "Get to your feet!" she ordered angrily, her jade eyes flaring into a deep, sharper green as she spoke.

"I will if you put down the sword," Seth challenged bravely.

She thought for a moment, and Seth could tell that thoughts of ...