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feet, encouraging the rest to rise with her.
    Lian led the way out of the cell, gripping the scared-but-brave girl’s hand as Vera followed with a chain of weeping females behind her. It didn’t take long to reach the end of the corridor, to the most dangerous cell—known as the Ledge. The only cell that was never locked because spending more than a few minutes inside—or rather, outside in the elements—would practically freeze anyone .
    There was no keypad on the wall beside the cell—no knob or handle on the door itself, just the smooth surface of cool metal. Lian kicked the door and it opened all the way.
    The young girl holding her hand clung tightly to her side when the freezing air swooshed around them.
    “We better make this quick,” Vera said, trying to keep the worst of the wind from hitting the others by standing in front of them.
    Lian nodded as she stepped onto the icy Ledge, which was wide enough for only three people to share. The edge plunged into a mountain range of endless snow and rock.
    She shivered in the flimsy dress, feeling her skin prickle with gooseflesh. Her bare feet were cold, but hardly freezing. She’d always had a resistance to the icy weather that she supposed was from being born in Shiver. “Come on, come on. Where are you, Hogan?”
    As if in answer, a large blue, metal transport suddenly rose over the outcrop, silent in its approach. As soon as it was level with the Ledge, the side door slid open and Hogan appeared. He was holding on to the handgrip and extended his free arm toward the group.
    Lian’s gaze lingered on him for just a moment, taking in his cocoa-colored skin, handsome features, and tall, muscled frame. She missed him so much. They’d been friends long before they developed deeper feelings for each other. But time and distance had made her heart close off and she no longer felt that spark for him, but she’d always love him as a friend. She often wondered how he felt about her now, and what had happened between them.
    “Get them on, quickly!” he called as the wind whipped around them.
    Lian nodded, trying not to get distracted. She prompted the girl holding her hand to move toward the transport, but she wouldn’t let go.
    “No, get the others first.” The teen’s teeth were chattering.
    “Okay.” Lian squeezed the girl, and to Vera, she called, “Get them on, hurry!”
    Her accomplice was already on the move, leading the chain of youngsters to Hogan. When they reached him, they recoiled as one. Vera whispered in the ear of the closest girl. The thin girl listened to whatever Vera was saying and finally nodded, releasing Vera’s hand and allowing Hogan to help her into the transport. She dragged the others with her until he had them all safely onboard.
    “Now it’s your turn,” Lian said to the girl she still gripped.
    Her green eyes shone with unshed tears. “Thank you, may the Goddess bless you.”
    Lian quirked a smile, but didn’t release her until she’d safely handed the teenager over to Hogan.
    He flashed a grin. “Don’t worry. They’ll be safe.”
    “I know.” They always were. Lian didn’t know where Hogan took the rescued prisoners, who the transport belonged to, or even who the pilot was, but he always risked his own life to ensure the safety of these innocents. “Thank you.”
    He nodded and ducked back inside, shutting the windowless door behind him.
    How did he manage to summon and board this transport without leaving the boundary of the estate he was tied to? She’d have to ask him some day. Until Vera told her, Lian hadn’t known every staff member within the cold confines of the mansion was a slave. She’d assumed each one was hired, chose to work here. Not that her mother forced them to stay and then kept them on a tight leash with silver perimeter collars.
    Lian took Vera’s hand and dragged her back as the transport’s thrusters kicked in. The pilot maneuvered the metal monstrosity away from the Ledge before suddenly