In the tank, Annika slammed her tail into the glass. Yadin turned, wagged a finger at her. “Do you think I’ll just hand it back to you?” “I have to hold it. It’s the only way to pass it to another. I . . .” He bought time, mind spinning, through a coughing fit. “The first traveling has to be done with me. It’s the only way to pass it, and give someone else the right to use it. Fuck it, Malmon, I don’t make the rules.” He looked up then, so far into the pain he’d moved beyond it. “All I’m asking is you don’t hurt her. You’re going to kill me, once you’ve got the compass. That’s the way it goes. But you’ve got no reason to hurt her. She’s caught.” Malmon leaned down, gripped Sawyer by the throat. Nails longer, sharper than they should have been pricked through the skin. “Where is the Fire Star?” “I don’t—”
