Chapter Twenty Two

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Winter

I freeze. I need to do something.

I need to save Alec.

But how?

The creatures are so fast they keep knocking away my arms. I can't hit them on the temples and break their hypnotic state. They're too fast. Plus, I don't want to hurt them. Whoever these creatures are, they're under Mordak's control. They don't realize what they're doing.

I look around for something to help me, and I realize the answer is already in my hands. The dagger!

I take a deep breath and focus all of my energy on it. It pulses with a bright white light, and I can feel its power. The creatures hesitate for a moment, staring at the dagger in awe.

The dagger pulses with light several times, and then a warm yellow light fills the whole area. The creatures back off of Alec, looking terrified.

I seize the opportunity and grab Alec's hand, pulling him up to his feet. The creatures are backing toward the other end of the tunnel like scared animals.