Gritting his teeth to hold off the pain, Zak held a ribbon of fire against the iron trap. A string of molten light glowed white on the rusty metal where he had carved a line through one side of the jaws. One part had become wobbly, but not enough to force it open.
It wouldn’t be much longer until he cut through. His problem, though, was that the prongs that held his ankle in place were getting hot. If he didn’t break out soon, they would sear teeth marks into his skin.
‘Come on!’ he murmured, sweat on his forehead.
Ssssssssss, click! At last, the jaws fell apart and he sighed with relief.
Standing up, he surveyed the trees, wondering where Clara had lead Krampus. He had been too distracted by the trap to take notice. Luckily, his keen elf ears picked up a faint scream.
‘Zak, help!’
C
