Tam's perspective:
Tam, Lihn, and Mr. Forkle glittered into the pastures of Havenfield.

Grady, Edaline, Dex, and Juline stood facing the woman who had attacked him in the woods.

The Vackers stood to the left, apparently having just arrived.

"Tam Song." The woman turned towards their group. "I was hoping you'd show up."

Marella, Maruca, and Stina leaped into the field behind them.

The woman examined the group. "Aww. Has Team Valiant come to save their fearless leader?" Her voice was filled with mock compassion. "But you're missing one. Did Wylie Endal not think the Moonlark was worth saving?" She turned and walked towards a bound Sophie. "Well, I have to say, this is better than the lonely Ruewens standing alone, but," she faced them, "it's hardly impressive."

"Let her go." Tam said.

The woman focused her gaze on him. "Now, where have I heard that before?"

Grizel, Fitz's bodyguard charged forward.

The woman grabbed her wrist and flung her over her back to the ground. "How cute." She mocked. "You brought your guard dogs."

The group spread out, forming a semicircle around the woman.

Lovise, Dex's bodyguard, hurled a goblin throwing star at the woman, who raised a hand and encased it in a wall of ice.

She clenched her fist and the barrier shattered, the throwing star crumbling along with it. Thrusting her hand towards the goblin, the woman sent a pillar of ice plowing into Lovise's chest.

There was a sickening crack as the bodyguard hit the ground. She'd probably broken a few ribs.

The rest of the bodyguards converged on the hooded figure.

The woman crouched, placing a hand against the ground and a ring of spiked ice burst from the ground, sending the remaining bodyguards rolling across the grass.

She stood. "Who's next?" She curled the fingers of her right hand and a sword of ice formed in her palm. Biana disappeared and Lihn flung a trio of throwing stars at the woman.

She raised her sword, the throwing stars lodging into the blade. She glared at the spot where Biana had stood.

There was a scream and Biana reappeared, falling to her knees.

Dex darted up behind the woman, a device in his hand.

As he raised the device, the woman whirled, grabbing his hand. She smirked and drove her sword through his stomach.

He gasped, fighting a scream when she gently twisted the blade.

"No!!!" Biana appeared, diving at the woman. She tackled the stranger to the ground.

The two rolled across the grass.

Biana rose slowly to her hands and knees.

The woman, whose hood and mask had fallen away during the roll, glared at Biana as she rose. "Well that was the stupidest thing you could've done."

Biana gasped as she looked the woman in the face.

Ice formed over Biana's hands, pushing her to her knees as the woman stood.

Tam's breath caught in his throat as he saw the woman's face for the first time. Her ocean-blue eyes turned jade green as he stared into them and her long caramel-brown hair was woven back into a thick braid. It was Valerie.

"No." His voice was barely a whisper.

Valerie clenched her fist and frost slowly crept up Biana's arm.

Biana was clearly holding back a scream.
What was Valerie doing to her?

Suddenly, Biana's arm snapped. She screamed as the bone broke.

"Biana!" Fitz hurled a throwing star at Valerie.

Valerie raised her hand and a wall of ice surrounded the weapon. Reaching forward, her hand melted through the ice to grab the throwing star.

She grinned. "At least one of you is doing something useful with your time." She flicked the weapon back at Fitz, one of the deadly blades sinking into his shoulder.

He cried out as he dropped to his knees, clutching his bleeding shoulder.

Valerie stiffened.

Grady stood, arm raised, mesmerizing her.
She slowly clenched her fist, frost covering her fingers. She turned to face him. "Nice try, but your tricks don't work on me."

She thrust out her arm and a spike of ice collided with Grady's chest, sending him flying backwards into a tree. He collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Marella's eyes widened. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand and a fire ball launched towards Valerie.

Valerie turned just in time to see the deadly ball of flames. She raised her arms protectively, ice coating her skin.

The fire hit her, knocking her backwards.
She toppled over unconscious.

Marella rushed over to melt Sophie's bonds.
"Maruca!" Tam ran towards the congregating group around Valerie.

"On it!" Maruca flashed a forcefield around Valerie's limp body.

Sophie came jogging over. "Wait. Let me in."
"Are you crazy?" Maruca asked.

"Valerie mentioned something about me doing something to her." Sophie met Maruca's gaze. "I need to know what turned her into this."
Maruca sighed. "Fine, but if you get hurt it's not my fault."

"Of course not." Sophie grinned as she squatted next to Valerie.

She nodded to Maruca, who replaced the forcefield around them.

Sophie pressed her fingers to Valerie's temples.
After a minute or two she stumbled back, almost hitting the forcefield.

Maruca let her out, moving the forcefield back around just Valerie.

Sophie stumbled into Alden's arms. "Valerie's... gone."