Light flashed, and voices faded in and out of my hearing. Faces I didn't recognize flashed before my eyes.

   Where was I?

   I had no idea. It was like I was in a dream. Everything was in dark shades of grey. It was hard to focus on anything.

   I reached out, but I was tied up. I opened my eyes, and tried to focus. The only thing in my line of sight was the stone roof. When I tried to tilt my head, pain shot up my spine, all the way to my neck. I let out a strained cry. A body stirred beside me. Someone groaned. I tried to speak, but a bitter tasting gag filled my mouth.

   Suddenly, in a flash of colours and darkness, all the memories came surging back. The false message from the Black Swan. Waiting at the entrance of Loanmore. Being bound and gagged. Lovise screaming. Yells, and shouts, as we were picked up, and lugged away. And finally, rolling through the vast ocean of dreams. Thoughts.

   Slowly but surely, I worked the gag around my mouth, and managed to spit it out. The fabric slipped past my eyes, and I almost puked at the sight of the mouldy cloth that had been in my mouth. I spat a few times, trying to get the taste out of my mouth. Sadly, my efforts were fairly useless, as the saliva splattered onto my face again.

   Drool ran down my cheek. I wondered how I looked now. When I had left home, my hair had been in a carefully braided bun on top of my head, with a few strands hanging out to give it a natural look. Now it probably looked like a rat's nest. I had been through a kidnapping, what did you expect?

   "Dex?" I whispered softly.

   "Mph?" he asked, clearly conscious, but not able to get the gag out of his mouth.

   "Are you okay?"

   There was silence as he tried to release the gag.

   "Well, well, well," a voice echoed across the cave.

   Gethen.

   I wondered why he used a popular human villain line. I'd seen human movies when the villain walks in, and says that to the good guys.

   "I wondered if you were ever going to wake up. Well, good morning sunshines."

   Suddenly, with a rough jerking motion, and spearing pain in my back, our seats jerked upright. I got a full view of the gloomy room. It didn't make me feel any better.

   Gethen stood by a small entrance hole. And Dex and I were tied to reclining chairs—barely recognizable, through the rust.

   "Gethen," I said coldly. "Why are we here?"

   "Why do you think, little fiery girl?" He laughed.

   "You'll release us at once," I said, in my most important-sounding tone. Though my croaking voice probably ruined the effect. Screw you, vocal chords.

   "So you'll be calling the shots, from now on? I don't think so." His tone was mocking, and it only fuelled my anger even more.

   "I'll burn this place to the ground," I snarled.

   "Last I heard, you couldn't ignite Everblaze, and that is the only type of fire that burns rock." He reached up, and placed his hand on the stone wall, as if to prove his point.

   "You don't know that."

   "Anyway, you are unable to snap your fingers." He gestured towards my bonds. Now that I focused on them, it was actually metal that bonded my hands, keeping my hands together, prayer style.

   "And what about you, techie boy?" Gethen send Dex a side-eyed glance.

   "Huh mph, mph-mph." Dex said, voice still indecipherable because of the gag.

   "Sorry, didn't catch that," Gethen mocked genuine disappointment, as he teased Dex.

   "Leave him alone." I said, trying to protect Dex.

   "And why should I?" Gethen asked, turning back to her. "I believe I'm still the one calling the shots around here." He sighed. "I think the fun is over. It's time to get to business. We have a deal. We will not hurt your friends, and families, if you agree, and surrender yourselves to the Neverseen. In other words, you will join the Neverseen for your friend's, and family's protection."