I’d woken at dawn, sat up in my bed, and stared in shock at the Airraid that was hovering outside my window. Wondering why the alarms weren’t sounding, I’d started to get out of bed, but turned at a sense of movement from behind me. Too late. The Airraid had distracted me just long enough. I saw the club descend, and Tove’s evil smile of triumph as the pain crashed through my head. Then, darkness.

The scaly Plundan chief was standing several feet from me, but when he saw that I was awake, he hastily scurried farther away and picked up a crossbow. I tried to ignore him. There was no mistaking the stink of death; I was in the Temple. That both surprised and worried me. I was unarmed, and that worried me even more. I slowly rose to my feet, and had to steady myself against the wall as a surge of weakness went through me. ‘The knock on my head, no doubt,’ I thought. There was an amazing amount of slack to the glowing chains; no wonder the cowardly Tove had moved away. I glanced quickly around. The cell was fairly large, but poorly lit. The floor and walls were of cold, smooth stone. The chains were linked to steel loops set in the wall, closer to the floor than the ceiling.

Tove, still pointing his crossbow at me, edged over to the open cell door and called, "He’s awake, Evil One!" There was no reply. I wasn’t sure whether that was a good sign or a bad one, but Tove seemed undisturbed. I noticed that I still felt weak and tired.

A little while later, Thuron the Demon-Priest entered the cell.

As Thuron entered, I felt the chill that the sight of the evil shapeshifter always gave me. He was in his normal guise: ancient, withered, shriveled by the cycles he’d lived and the evil he’d done. He was swathed in a hooded grey cloak, and walked with the aid of a gnarled stick. He came to stand close to me, grinning up at me, his bloodshot eyes piercing. He stank of death, and his grey robe was splattered with rusty brown patches; blood. I had again the dreadful feeling that the color of his robe had not been grey, but white; that the color was only the blood of all of his victims.

"So," he hissed softly. "Finally." I looked away. He chuckled. "You must be wondering about these unusual chains," he remarked. "They are the result of certain experiments. You know of ranium, of course; it weakens you. These chains are made from a derivative of it." I tried not to shiver. "I’ve spent much effort on them," Thuron continued, "and I’m quite pleased with my results. Ranium only weakens you Cats so much, and it wears off fairly quickly. My derivative does not have these...shortcomings. It works very slowly. It will continue to weaken you until you have not the strength to breathe. If it wears off...and it may not...but if it does, it will take a long time for you to recover fully. Though I don’t intend that you’ll live to find that out for yourself."

I clenched my fists to keep my enemies from seeing my hands shake. My heartbeat had quickened in fear.

"Beginning to feel it, are you?" Thuron chuckled. "Feeling weak? Chains getting heavy? Good. Unfortunately, we cannot stay to watch. I must rest, and Tove must return to his castle to prepare to greet your friends when they come looking for you. Speaking of that..." Thuron pulled a torn strip of cloth from somewhere in his cloak and used it to gag me, tying the knot cruelly tight. I tried to pull away, but came up hard against the wall. "There. Now you won’t be calling your Sword and summoning your friends," he murmured, sounding satisfied. Then he turned to Tove. "You can put the weapon down now. He’s helpless. Return to your Castle. I will transport you and the rest of your rabble here to watch him breathe his last."

Tove nodded, grinned his ugly grin at me, then turned and left the cell.

"You’ll suffocate," Thuron told me casually, but his reddened eyes were full of delight. "You’ll be too weak to take a breath, but not unconscious. Oh, no, Cat...you’ll feel every bit of it." He stood looking at me for a little while; then, finally, he turned and slowly made his way out of the cell. The heavy door boomed shut, but I didn’t hear it lock.

Alone, I fought back my fear. All I had to do was what Thuron himself had suggested. I reached up to pull off the stale-tasting gag. The chain stopped my hand short. I bowed my head, and felt my fingers just barely brush against the cloth. ‘Oh stars...’ I tried with my other hand, with the same result. There wasn’t enough slack. I kept trying, knowing it was futile, but driven to try. The chains quickly grew heavier. No...I was growing weaker. My legs were trembling from the effort of standing. It wasn’t long before I sank to the floor.

Time seemed to blur. Lengths of time like days. Split seconds of terror where I could feel my strength slipping away. I knew my only hope was for someone to notice that I wasn’t in the Den. I also knew that no one would be likely to notice until morningmeal. Did I have that long? How late was it? How long until Thuron returned with the Plundans? And only when I thought of that did it truly hit me. ‘They’ll return...to watch me die! Oh stars-someone help me!’

Time passed. The weakness intensified. I knew I was dying a little more every second, and that terrible thought would not leave me. In my mind, I cried out for my friends, begged for help, pleaded for a chance to live. But I knew that none of them could possibly hear me; not even Kelri. The loneliness and fear and helplessness slowly reduced me to utter despair. At last I no longer hoped for a rescue; the Cats would find me, eventually, but too late. The Plundans would see to that. I only wished that it would end. I just wanted the fear to stop; or so I thought. I realized differently when I heard the footsteps in the hall outside the cell. Sheer terror screamed through me. It took incredible effort, but I managed to turn my head so that I was facing away from the cell door. "You’ll suffocate... feel every bit of it..." Thuron’s words echoed in my mind.

Voices...I didn’t try to identify them. Then a gasp. Rhul’s voice! And Tyr’s! ‘Please... please let it be true! Let it be them!’ Someone pulled the gag away. Metal clashed against metal. The chains broke off. I forced my eyes open and saw Tiyana standing beside me. Her eyes met mine; her expression was anxious. Rhul, on one knee beside me, flung the length of chain away. Against my will, my eyes closed again. Rhul’s voice, soft and

worried: "Can you help him?" "I’ll try..." I felt Tiyana’s warm hands clasp my shoulder and brush against my forehead. There was a faint tingling sensation and I realized she was trying to use her healing ability on me. Then it faded and she sighed. Her hand left my forehead, but she didn’t let go of my shoulder. ‘She’s here,’ I thought. They were here, they had come to rescue me. They wouldn’t let me die.

Strong arms slid under me and lifted me. The scent was Rhul’s. There was the feeling of being carried rapidly, then the warmer and slightly fresher air outside of the Temple. I felt someone else’s arms, Tyr, I thought, and then I felt myself placed on a seat of the Tank. A blanket had been put over the seat, and another was tucked around me. It was good to feel warm after the icy chill of the Temple cell. The Tank rumbled to life and I knew we were headed back to the Den. Had they really managed to rescue me so quickly and easily? Or would something happen...? I felt Tiyana’s hands on me, trying again to heal me, perhaps. Then they were gone. There were voices nearby, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying over the hum of the engine. Rhul’s voice called out, and the voices stopped. Danger? Would they have to fight?

Tiyana’s hand returned to rest on my shoulder. I felt her gently brush the sweat-damp hair off my forehead. It was a kind gesture, but I shivered inside, partly from being so helpless, and partly from the memory of Thuron’s words. "If it wears off...and it may not..." ‘No, I won’t let myself believe that. It has to wear off,’ I decided firmly. I got my eyes open and looked at the healer. I must have looked scared; the stars knew I still felt it. Her voice spoke softly in my mind: <You’re safe, Lar. You’ll be all right. We’re taking you home. Just rest.> "You’ll be all right." "You’re safe." The two things I most needed to hear. Reassured, I closed my eyes. Her hand clasped mine, and as I drifted off, I wondered how such a simple thing could be so comforting.

When I woke, I didn’t immediately open my eyes. Could I have dreamed it? Had I just dreamed that Thuron had had Tove capture me and take me to the Death Temple? The terrible chains - had they been a nightmare? But I knew from the weakness in my body that it had been all too real. I opened my eyes and squinted a little at the dawn light coming through my window. Then I became aware that someone was beside me. I turned as quickly as I could and looked up at Tiyana.

She was sitting in a chair drawn up to my bed, gazing over at the sunrise. I studied her face, noticing again the differences between her and us. Her eyes were not even slightly tilted at the ends, and they were a soft, clear green that was totally unlike ours. Our eyes tended to be shades of gray or blue or brown. Her cheekbones were lower, and her face wider because of it. Her nose wasn’t as long, but her chin was almost as pointed as a Thenians’. She was intriguing, exotic, and strangely beautiful. Her hair fascinated me; I had touched it once and found it sleek and smooth and remarkably heavy. It wasn’t the out of control mess that ours could become. The color was fascinating, too; a mix of colors. Dark brown and rich deep red and a hint of something metallic. Almost the color of that stuff that the Hill tribe was so fond of...gold.

Tiyana must have sensed me looking at her, for she looked down and smiled at me. Only then did I become aware that she was holding my hand. "How are you feeling?" she asked gently. I hesitated. I didn’t feel as weak as I had in the Temple, but I was nowhere near normal strength. In fact, I wasn’t completely sure I could talk yet. ‘Well, might’s well try...’

"All...right. ...Just...w-weak..." It took so much effort, and the result was just a faint

whisper. And then, without even thinking, I told her the truth. "Scared." I expected... well, I wasn’t sure what I expected, but I didn’t expect a squeeze of my hand and a look of sympathetic understanding. <Maybe sending would be easier for you.>

<Maybe...yes, it definitely is,> I agreed. <Not that I ever thought talking would be so difficult,> I added rather bitterly.

Tiyana nodded, looking a little surprised.

<It was the Plundans who took you to the Temple?> she asked softly.

<Yes. Well, it was Tove, the chief of the Plundans,> I explained. I told her of waking... of the Airraid... of being knocked out... and before I realized what I was doing, I was caught in the vivid memory. I hadn’t intended to do it, but I told her everything. I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to scare her, or to re-live it myself. But I hadn’t left myself much of a choice. The fear was with me again...but now Tiyana was with me too, and her presence and compassion helped so much. She squeezed my hand gently, reminding me that I was safe in the Den, not laying chained on the cold floor of the Temple.

<...I thought it was Thuron and the Plundans coming. Tiyana, when I saw you there, when you tried to heal me...I didn’t know if you could, but I knew I wasn’t going to die. And then I thought that Thuron might return and find you all, and that thought really scared me for awhile. I wanted to shout, Hurry, they might be coming. I couldn’t believe we got away so easily.> I paused, trying to find the words I wanted. I wanted to tell her how grateful I was, how much she had helped me. That was when I felt something odd. My eyes were hot and blurry. <What’s wrong with my eyes?> I asked abruptly.

<Nothing,> Tiyana answered. I don’t know what made me realize what had happened, but suddenly I did, and felt myself blush. I was humiliated; to be seen crying-like a kitten...and by Tiyana of all people... <I don’t understand why you’re so embarrassed,> Tiyana remarked gently.

<I don’t understand why you aren’t,> I answered unhappily.

<Well, perhaps because I see nothing wrong with showing how you feel... whether it’s sad or scared...or anything.>

<Maybe you don’t, but...>

<But you do?>

<I’m the Leader! I have to be strong! To set the example.>

<That doesn’t make sense. What does not showing feelings have to do with being strong?>

I stared at Tiyana for a few heartbeats. They were one and the same! < If I show any weakness, like fear, they would lose respect for me, maybe decide that someone else would be a better Leader. One who didn’t let feelings get the better of them. It’s a matter of self control.>

She frowned. <You don’t think they’d respect you more for being honest? And for trusting them?>

That had never occurred to me. I thought it over for awhile. <I don’t know,> I admitted at last.

<You all call yourselves friends, but I certainly can’t see it. What kind of friends would only follow you because you look stronger than them?>

She’d put her finger on it, I thought with a mental sigh. <I’ve asked myself that a lot of times,> I confessed.

Tiyana nodded. <It’s all very well to depend on yourself, but you can’t rely completely on yourself all the time. You need to share unpleasant things with people, to make them easier to bear.> I agreed. I’d just had that proven to me.

<I’ve sometimes wanted to say, ‘I’m me, not just a leader. Treat me normally, let me be a friend.’ But I can’t say it...and I certainly can’t-> I blushed again.

<Cry? Crying is normal, Lar. If you weren’t meant to cry sometimes, you wouldn’t have tears. I bet you haven’t cried in a long time, that you’ve been shutting your feelings inside and hoping they’d go away. They won’t, you know. They’ll just build up.> That was true, too.

<Maybe you’re right.> I knew she was right; I was being stubborn.

<Are you going to tell me that you don’t feel a little better now?> she asked with a smile.

I smiled back and sent boldly, <I thought it was the company, but you’re right. I do feel better. Not as scared.> Our gazes met for a long moment. The company...her company.

<By the way...where is everyone?>

<Out rilium searching. They asked me to stay with Sarth and keep an eye on things. And the other one on you.> Tiyana smiled, and I returned the smile. <I got the impression that rilium is hard to find,> she added.

<It is. Not that it’s highly technical, but it’s labor intensive,> I explained.

<I see,> she mused. Then: <I wonder if there’s anything like it on Debil...>

The pain I felt at that statement shocked me. We’d finally found a route that might take her home; though there was more research to be done, the possibility that she could return to Debil was there. Why did the thought of Tiyana leaving hurt so much?

<What is it?> Tiyana asked. She’d obviously felt the pain, being linked to my mind.

<I...forgot you’d be leaving,> I answered slowly. <We will miss you.>

She gave me a peculiar look. <I’m not going right now, Lar,> she pointed out. <In fact, I may not be able to at all-but you know that. I’m just wondering. In truth...> She paused, and was silent so long I wondered if she’d finish or not. <In truth, I have to make a tough decision,> she said at last.

<You mean you’re considering staying?> I asked cautiously. She nodded. An aching sort of hope took root in me. I wished she’d stay. The thought of never seeing her again was intolerable. But I didn’t want her to be stranded here, far from her home, either. I knew how bad homesickness could be, and I wanted her to be happy. <You know you’re welcome here,> I told her.

Tiyana gazed thoughtfully at me a little longer. <You’ve all treated me very well. No one’s argued with me; no one’s tried to get me to take sides; everyone’s been polite and friendly and patient. What I’m wondering is whether or not this will change once I decide to stay. And whether or not I can endure the arguing!>

I closed my eyes, a little ashamed. We all did argue a lot, no matter how hard we tried to prevent it. <Maybe you can teach us how not to argue,> I suggested, feeling a little shy. When she didn’t answer, I looked at her. She looked very thoughtful.

<Maybe.> Then she looked at me. <You’re tired out,> she sent gently. <Go to sleep, Lar, and call me when you wake up, if I’m not here.>

<I will,> I agreed. Tiyana was right; I was very weary all of a sudden. I closed my eyes and drifted off.

Tiyana was gone when I woke; I shouldn’t have expected her to be there, but her absence seemed to make the nightmare worse. To dream that she left and then wake to find myself alone unnerved me. But she hadn’t left; she’d told me to send to her. I tried. Five times I tried and failed. Irrational fear swept over me. Was I doing it wrong, or was she out of range? Had she left the Den? Was she doing something else, ignoring me so she wouldn’t be interrupted? Why couldn’t I resign myself to waiting until she came to check on me? ‘Because she might not check.’ Maybe she wouldn’t think of it; or maybe she just didn’t want to...Why did that thought hurt so much? ‘Because you like her, you idiot. And you want her near you.’

I tried to send again and failed again. I gave up for a while; I probably wasn’t doing it right. That was when I got my first ‘glimpse’; the sudden sharp, vivid memory flashes of traumatic events that all Thenians suffered. For several heartbeats I was standing in the Temple, staring at Tove’s crossbow as I listened to Thuron lecture about his accursed chains.

I came out of the vision with a gasp and immediately tried to send to Tiyana. Again it didn’t work, and I lay there in terror, dreading the next image that might appear in my mind. ‘Sometimes,’ I thought miserably, ‘a sharp memory is a curse.’ And this memory was unusually sharp; it would probably be several rotations before the visions ceased to plague me. I reached for Tiyana’s mind again. Far better to be doing something, even trying unsuccessfully to send.

<Tiyana...> There! It had felt different, that time. I felt her acknowledgment and closed my eyes for a moment. My eyes...’Oh, no! Not again-!’

It wasn’t long before Tiyana walked into the room and sat down in the chair. <I don’t know why you said I should call you,> I told her. I was trying to keep her from noticing how badly shaken I was. Then I felt guilty. It was technically true; I didn’t know if she’d had a particular reason or not. But I noticed how arrogant the remark sounded; I might as well have said, <I don’t know why you think I need your help or company.> A stupid thing to do anyway, she already knew how shaken I was.

<Just to give you some practice, and help you develop some range. Sending can come in handy,> she replied calmly. <Kelri’s already picked it up; she’s very good. Strong.>

I had to smile at that. <She should be, she is a telepath,> I pointed out. <She also has the sixth sense, but it takes a lot out of her to use it.> Tiyana nodded in response.

<Oh-. I forgot, I turned off the alarm in here, so that if it went off it wouldn’t disturb you. But...>

<-Now you’d better turn it back on,> I finished. She nodded, then, to my surprise, she closed her eyes. The mental link between us broke.

<There,> she said after a pause. I frowned at her, puzzled. <I guess I didn’t tell you...I discovered, yesterday morning...I’m kinetic.> Tiyana looked suddenly shy. She explained how she’d unexpectedly levitated the tool that Tyr needed. She grinned as she described his and Rhul’s reactions: <They looked like they expected it to bite them!> She said she’d never suspected that she had such a talent. <I wonder,> she mused after a brief silence,<what brought out all these talents. And then I wonder if ‘all’ is accurate. Who knows what else might be hidden up here.> She touched her forehead in explanation.

<Do you think it was something here on Rendila that caused it?> I asked, intrigued. If she thought it was, perhaps she’d be more reluctant to leave.

<Well, I had telepath potential, and perhaps kinetic, too, but the healing is baffling me. I don’t know if I’ll keep that, if I return.>

I mulled that over, wondering about my own ability to communicate mind to mind. Kelri had never raised the possibility with me. Perhaps there was something here that affected a latent mental talent, I thought. I certainly wished I’d discovered the sending sooner.

I became aware that Tiyana’s hand was clasping mine again. ‘When-?’ I wondered, startled. What right did I have to be so familiar? Was she just humoring me? If so, it could not be long before her feeling of obligation became resentment. I reluctantly let go of the healer’s hand and sent, <You don’t have to stay if you don’t want. It’s bound to get boring, just sitting there.>

<I told them I’d keep an eye on you,> she said lightly. Then her voice became more serious. <It’s not boring,> she assured me. <Wandering through the Den or sitting in the control room would be lonely and boring...and I’d feel pretty low if I just left you alone.>

I wasn’t sure how to reply, but I was grateful. Tiyana’s hand lifted and she gently brushed my hair out of my eyes.

<Thanks, but I warn you, it’s a losing battle.>

Tiyana laughed softly, and sent, <I’ve begun to notice that. I don’t know how you put up with it.>

<I ignore it. It goes away. > I smiled at her.

We were quiet for awhile; our minds were still linked, but neither of us said anything.

<Oh- I should’ve thought to ask you earlier, Lar...is there anything you need? Something to eat or drink?>

I considered that. I wasn’t hungry, despite not eating at all the previous day, but I was starting to get thirsty. Then something else occurred to me. <Something to drink would be good. And...would you send Sarth in?> Tiyana looked perplexed; then she understood. She hurried out of the room, and I felt myself blush again.

<Lar...>

<Yes?>

<Sarth’s not in the Den. He’s about a mile away. I tried to send to him, but I can’t connect.>

I didn’t like that at all, but there wasn’t anything to be done about it. Waiting until Sarth returned was not an option. It had not occurred to me before just how useful kinesis could be. It was also useful when Tiyana returned with a cup of water and helped me drink.

<You got skilled with that talent in a hurry,> I remarked when I was done. We had discovered that Tiyana could not use telepathy and kinesis simultaneously. Tiyana

shrugged at my comment.

<The telepaths training involved kinetic training as well,> she explained. <I’m just putting theory into practice.>

<Just be careful until you find your limits,> I warned her. I’d seen what happened to Kelri when she pushed herself too far. She nodded, and silence fell between us again. Maybe I was being overprotective, I admitted to myself, but I still remembered how fragile she’d seemed to me when I’d carried her from her wrecked spaceship. I had seen her come back from a food gathering expedition with Kelri and the kittens, and been rather impressed with the bags and baskets I’d seen her carrying on her return; I knew she was strong. Still...

I looked up at Tiyana again. She was gazing out the window at the blue sky, and seemed to be a long way away. Her green eyes were so beautiful. She blinked suddenly and looked down at me. <I thought you were going back to sleep, > she remarked.

<Tiyana, I just woke up. Why would I go right back to sleep?>

That was probably the most foolish thing I’d said in six rotes and I expected a calm and cutting retort. Tiyana, however, just looked at me. We both knew why I’d be asleep again; I was weak! I tried to salvage a speck of dignity. <If I were trying to talk instead of send, it would be different.>

Tiyana shook her head and smiled a little. Then she reached out and touched my cheek. I turned my head a little so I could feel her hand better. A soft intake of breath, and her hand pulled away. Had I startled her? Offended her? I looked up-

<You were crying,> she sent softly. <You didn’t tell me.>

Oddly, I didn’t blush this time. <When I woke up, it - the memory - it all...attacked me. I couldn’t reach you...and being alone, and helpless, and the fear...> If I could only tell her that it was the thought of being without her that made it all so horrible. But I couldn’t do that. Her eyes had widened a little and she took my hand and squeezed it.

<I understand,> she sent softly. <I’m sorry you had to go through that. I should’ve checked on you, not waited for you to call me.>

<It wasn’t your fault, Tiyana!>

She didn’t reply to that, just sat beside me, holding my hand. Slowly, I drifted off again.

The next time I woke, it was dark and the chair by my bed was empty again. I’d slept for the rest of the day. I was debating whether to go back to sleep or send to Tiyana when the door opened. I winced a bit at the brightness of the hallway lights. Kelri entered the room, carrying a tray with a bowl on it. She closed the door behind her and came to my bedside. I watched her place the tray on the bedtable and winced again as she turned on the light. It didn’t take long for my eyes to adjust, though. Kelri turned to me. "Are you hungry, Lar? I brought some soup in." She didn’t need to tell me that; I could smell it and the rich scent made my stomach groan.

"Yes...very," I managed. Soft, but stronger than this morning, I thought, pleased. It felt

strange to speak; I grown accustomed to the easy flashes of sending. Kelri gave me an appraising look.

"You’re recovering."

"Slowly," I agreed.

Kelri sat down in the chair, lifted the bowl, and hesitated briefly. I wasn’t looking forward to being spoon-fed myself, but it was better than going hungry. Kelri seemed about as embarrassed as I was. She tried to smooth things by talking; telling me where they’d all searched for rilium and how much they’d found. They’d been lucky today.

When I’d had enough to eat I shook my head at Kelri, and saw relief pass over her face. She put the spoon in the bowl, the bowl on the tray, and stood quickly. Then she turned to me. "I’m sorry, Lar, I’m not very good at this," she apologized. "But I told Tiyana I’d do it. She was very weary, so we made her go to bed. She’s still not used to our rotes yet. We..." Kelri paused. Then she took a deep breath, and said, "We came back a little early. We’ve all been worried. It’s good to see that you’re improving, even slowly." She reached down and touched my arm; awkwardly, but gently. Before I could say anything, or even think of anything to say, she had left my room.

I closed my eyes again, feeling pretty good. Not just from the soup; it was nice to feel cared about. Soon I was asleep again...dreaming of Tiyana.

I jolted awake, confused. Someone was shaking me roughly. A sudden sharp slap across my face brought me wide awake, shocked. I stared up at the apparition looming over me. No...this had to be a glimpse, a memory flash of horrible proportions. But the iron grip on my arm proved otherwise. Thuron was standing over my bed. He was in the form of a giant warrior; tall, strong, armed, cloaked. Terror shot through me as I heard the silence around me...no alarms. No one knew he was here!

"So, Cat, it seems I miscalculated," Thuron said quietly. "But not by much." He seized me and dragged me from the bed. I couldn’t begin to struggle; I couldn’t even keep from striking my head on the floor. "It won’t take long to correct such a minor oversight," he murmured. Even before he pulled them from a pouch in his cloak, I could see the glow of the deadly chains. "I want to finish the job the way I began it," Thuron explained pleasantly as he wrapped the chain around my left wrist. Then he passed it around the leg of the bed, and then around my right wrist and locked the ends together.

I understood, through my fear, what he was doing; putting as much of the metal in contact with me as he could. Already I could feel my small store of strength draining away. ‘No...not like this. Please, not this way-!’

Thuron contemplated me, then reached again into his pouch and removed a strip of cloth. "You won’t be able to get this one off, and it’ll hurry things along a bit," he explained as he turned my head to tie the knot. New fear went through me; it took a conscious effort to breathe now, and with the chains weakening me, there was no telling how long I’d be able to keep up the effort. Panic threatened, but I fought it back. I didn’t want Thuron to see it, and I needed to think.

The demon priest chuckled at me. "I’ll be on my way, after just one more thing." He stood and walked away. I heard the lock on my bedroom door click. Now anyone who wanted to check on me would have to break down the door first-. Thuron came back to stand over me. "At last. I’ve won at last. You will die, and without you, they will fall to me. Die knowing this, Cat. Die in terror and agony!" And then he vanished.

I stared up at the ceiling; I could see it by the glow of the chains. ‘Think, Lar, think! Got to get out of this!’ My eyes closed as I took another breath. "Only one chance. Tiyana. Send to her.’

I reached out. A flicker that broke as I took another difficult breath. ‘Try again...’ Nothing. Again...and again nothing. ‘Got to breathe...’ It was even harder now. Then, another flicker. Contact. I could see Tiyana in my mind, laying asleep in her bed. The focus wavered as I caught another breath, but then it steadied. <Tiyana! Tiyana, please-wake up!> A puzzled frown on her face, eyes still closed. <Help me! Thuron! The chains-! Can’t breathe!> Her eyes opened and the link broke. My chest was aching now.

There was no reply.

Despair took me. She would decide she’d been dreaming...

I focused every bit of my fading strength on the simple act of pulling air into my dying body and waited for the end.