The plan was working so far. Cole took out the Tiger Widow spider’s venom carefully after checking that Nadakhan’s room was clear, then placed it on the table.

It would be easy. He’d replace the djinn’s wine with the venom, and then he’d find Jay and get him back to the ship.

Jay. Cole couldn’t help but be guilty. If he and the others had gone with him to get the venom from the Tiger Widow, maybe he wouldn’t have been taken.

Cole was pushed out of his thoughts when he heard a sound, a hoarse, broken down voice. “Cole? Is that you…?”

He turned quickly, and from behind a piece of furniture was… Jay? But he was on the ground, with a vengestone ball and chain attached to his ankle, and had an eyepatch on. Notably, his outfit also had some new tears and blood stains.

Despite the new fears, concerns, and questions that came up from Jay’s appearance and the fact that he was in Nadakhan’s room of all places, Cole let a wave of relief come over him.

“Jay! Thank the First Spinjitzu Master.” Cole then paused, tentatively asking a confused question. “Why do you have an eyepatch?”