The courtyard was holding. Barely.

Through the bond, I felt Darius locked in combat with Gideon, neither gaining ground. Marcus was still down, convulsing from whatever poison they'd used. And our defenses were stretched so thin that one more push from Gideon's forces would shatter everything.

I made a choice that was probably stupid.

"Caleb!" I caught his attention between strikes. "You have command. Hold this position."

"Where are you going?"

"To get Marcus."

His eyes widened. "That's ...