Tam's perspective:
Tam watched as Lihn guided a stream of water into the container.

Wylie had asked them to gather some water for the shack and Lihn, of course, had immediately agreed. Now, he was stuck in the middle of the woods feeling useless.

Lihn had offered to go on her own, but there was no way he was letting her out of his sight, not with Bella on the loose.

A cold breeze ruffled his hair and tossed the leaves of the trees.

He crossed his arms tightly over his chest and leaned his head back against a tree.

As the wind moved the foliage, the leaves began to frost over. That wasn't natural.

Tam straightened, scanning the area.

Suddenly, a spike of ice shot out of the trees towards him.

He ducked and the icicle stabbed deep into the trunk.

Lihn backed away from the pond as ice edged the water.

A dark figure emerged from the shadows of the trees. Bella no longer bothered to wear her hood.

"You." Tam growled the word through gritted teeth.

"We meet again, Tam Song." She smirked.

"What do you want with me?" He clenched his fists.

Bella's grin grew. "I want you to suffer." She tilted her head , but nothing seemed to happen.

Then, Lihn gasped.

Tam whirled to find her stiffly walking into the half-frozen water.

"No!" Tam tried to run to his sister's aid, but his body stiffened and refused to cooperate. All he could do was watch as Lihn sank deeper into the water.

Finally, she stopped, the water up to her chest, and fell forward, disappearing beneath the icy water.

"No! Lihn!" Tam fought against Bella's will, but couldn't break free. His hands shook and his legs buckled. He dropped to his knees, unable to look away from the horrifying scene before him. Tears leaked down his cheek and he breathed heavily.

Finally, heart racing, fists clenched so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palm, he forced himself to stand and face Bella.

Her eyes widened at his resistance.

He shook as he continued to fight Bella's overbearing power. Yelling, he thrust his hand forward and a ball of pulsing Shadowflux struck Bella in the chest.

She gasped and toppled backwards.

Free of her will, Tam darted to the pond and plunged in to save Lihn. He flinched at the sub-zero temperature of the water.

Lihn's body floated in the center of the pond, her hair moving and spreading like a black veil in the water.

Tam grabbed Lihn under the arms and dragged her to the shore.

He lay her on her back in the grass. "Please wake up." He pumped her chest, trying to force the water out of her lungs.

She coughed and rolled to her side, hacking up water onto the grass. After a few more coughs, she turned to face her brother, who wrapped her in a tight hug.

He squeezed tighter when he felt how cold she was.

"W-w-where's V-v-valerie?" Her teeth were chattering uncontrollably.

Tam hung his head and moved so she could see Valerie's limp body.

Lihn met her brother's ashamed gaze. "W-w-what did you d-d-do?"

All he managed to say was "Shadowflux."

Lihn tilted his head up. "Save h-h-her."

"But she almost killed you." He protested.

"Sh-sh-she's our f-f-friend. It's n-n-not her f-f-fault." Lihn struggled to sit up, hugging her shivering chest with her pale quivering arms.
Tam sighed and wrapped his cape around her shoulders.

He walked over to Bella's side and raised a hand over her chest. He pulled the Shadowflux out of her body and let it disperse.

Bella didn't rouse, but he could tell that she would be fine.

He rushed back over to Lihn, picking her up and digging out a leaping crystal. Raising it to the light, the twins glittered away. He had to get Lihn to Elwin.