His eyes snapped open again, and what I saw froze my heart. The scream be a thing borne of the torment within him. But he be fading away, now barely visible.
Talakai’s mouth opened, and I read the word from his lips, rather than heard it, “Xumi...”
I blinked.
I be lying on the grass beneath the trees, with the sun disappearing on the horizon.
Xumi.
I’d heard of her, and it fit the intel Jacques had gathered to date, of the underworld Dragona after Talakai. But how had she got hold of him? He should have been safe here on council grounds. And how did it connect to the kidnapping of the twins?
Talakai might have been lying when he denied being involved. But life essences didn’t lie. And his honest denial had echoed right through it.
I had responsibilities here, but this be something only I would do. Could do. Most believed he be involved in the kidnapping. Except, maybe, Anna and Matt. But they be not ready for this. Not yet.
I pushed myself to my feet, shed my soiled hair clothes, and grew fresh ones.
First stop, the dungeon. If Aaron wasn’t out of his coma, I’d get Cara to bring him out. I’d wring whatever information I could from him.
Then I would go in search of a Satyr.
* * *
Cara be meditating in her room.
I tracked her energy there, brushed my own over it in a request for a consultation. She awaited me at the door when I arrived.
Her calm blue gaze scanned me, and she said, “I take it you wish me to wake Aaron.”
I’d expected to have to explain myself, and my mind had dredged up a few possible excuses. Anything other than admitting the truth—that I be linked to Anna, Matt, and Talakai.
But she didn’t demand a reason. Uneasy, I met her eyes, and simply said, “Yes.”
Did I detect a twinkle in those bright-blue orbs? The damned woman be unreadable most of the time. Her energy only projected what she wanted me to sense. There be those that would argue that some of our older Watchers be more powerful, but I had my doubts.
Cara be an intimidating force.
At the moment, she seemed compliant. Her tiny form paced beside me as we traversed the stairs and then the hall past the administrative complex.
When we took the last turn, a young Dire stiffened at his station along the wall.
“Watchers,” he said with a nod.
I grimaced, but didn’t bother to correct him. He meant to be respectful.
The hall ended in a set of stone stairs vanishing downward. As we approached them, we heard a crash, and a groan.
We both froze. I shot a look to the guard, who appeared resigned rather than alarmed.
“Who be down there?” I demanded.
“Cody, sir. He’s questioning the prisoner.”
“Hellfire,” I exclaimed, bolting down the stairs. Cara be close on my heels.
“I thought Tyrez made it clear Aaron was off limits to Cody,” I said as we sailed downward.
“So did I,” Cara answered.
