"You never intended to let me go free, did you Casimir?" His silence was her confirmation. She struggled against Baze, wanting nothing more than to claw out Casimir's throat. "For Fate's sake, Baze let go!" "Not until you calm down." Baze breathed in her ear, causing a pleasant shiver to run down her spine. His body against hers was dulling her senses, giving a pleasant warmth. Her head spun. "How could you do this to me? Again?" She wanted to shout, but her voice came out broken. "I am not betraying you, Juniper. I'm simply showing you another way. A better way." She seethed. "I want out." "I can't give you that. But I can give you something better. I can give you revenge." He gently touched her face. "On everyone who has ever hurt you. We can do it together." Without her permission, her legs buckled under her. Exhausted and delirious, Baze swept her in his arms. "Go to sleep, Juniper." Casimir whispered. "I'm going to kill you." Darkness began to consumer her. He brushed his lips against her forehead and smiled. "I'll be here when you wake up." * * * There's a bounty for the Creature of the South, a creature so powerful that anyone who posses it can very well control the country, and Casimir Alarie has every intention of winning it. But the Ashlands are not a place to venture alone. Dragging along his friends had never been so difficult, especially when they want him dead. An outcast. A blacksmith. A witch. An unlikely combination, with a hatred for one another so intense, it could put the Os Fen war to shame. It's hardly a problem for Casimir though. He'll get them on his side, no matter how dirty he has to get in order to do so.