I have no idea, except that its useless, Kanti said, rolling her eyes dramatically. Ive made flowers grow in a garden, a rainbow appear, and turned some old womans hair from gray back to its original color"red. Its the shallowest power ever.

Valerie couldnt help laughing. Kanti had turned into a princess that would have made Disney proud, but she was the last person who would ever want that.

It isnt funny! Kanti said, but she was giggling, too.

Its hysterical, Valerie contradicted. And you know who would appreciate the irony of this better than me? Henry. Now go make my brother the happiest guy in the universe.

Chapter 15.

Valerie fell asleep waiting for Kanti to return, and again she had her terrible dream of Azra and Sanguina and the darkness that wanted to claim her. She woke up with a pounding heart. When Kanti came out of their bathroom, she would only say that Henry said he forgave her, but he wanted some space.

Valerie worried about her brother on her walk to her Guild. She didnt want him to shut out Kanti the way he was shutting her out. He needed someone who could pull him out of himself and into the world.

She was so deep in thought that she didnt notice Azra and Gideon talking by the fountain in the middle of The Horseshoe until she practically stumbled into them.

Valerie, good timing. We were hoping to catch you before you began your training today.

Is everything okay? she asked, noticing the tension in Gideons stance.

Its been decided that a team is going to Dunsinane to search for the Black Castle, he said.

But how will we find it without the guide from the prophecy?

Chrome believes that we will find that guide only if we are looking for him. He cant justify waiting any longer for help to come when Jet and Kellen are missing.

What do you think? Valerie asked.

We didnt find anything there when we searched before, Gideon replied. But there have been rumors that the People of the Woods may have information that could help us. At the very least, maybe we will find our guide there.

Azra shook her head doubtfully and pawed at the ground. Something is wrong with this plan.

You may be right, but its been decided. The Knights are spoiling for a fight, and their need for action cannot be repressed any longer.

How can I help? Valerie asked. She saw Azra and Gideon exchange a glance.

I want you to come with me and help me lead the mission, Gideon said.

Her heart raced at his words. Surely he, of all people, knew how inexperienced she was.

I have no doubts you could do it, Azras soft voice chimed in her mind. But I do not think you should. You are still a child, and you have had too little time in your life to behave like one.

Shell never be like other children. More and more, people ask for her guidance. I can only shield her from it for so long. It is time for her to begin embracing the position that has been thrust on her.

Valeries heart pounded uncomfortably. I thought all that talk about me was dying down.

Gideon shook his head. Many of the Knights watch you train. Even the doubters are starting to believe in how powerful you are. And news of your selflessness during your test to become an apprentice leaked out as well. Many believe that only you can keep us off of a destructive path.

This is crazy, she said, taking a step backward. She wished she could run away.

It is unfair to ask one so young to put the needs of the whole above your own. But I believe your unique qualities are necessary to guide us to the path of peace. Your choices will reverberate around the Globe, Gideon said.

Her stomach was in knots, and she crossed her arms in front of herself defensively. Azra made a small noise of sympathy.

There is time later for her to evolve into the leader she is meant to be.

I think we should let her decide. Valerie, will you lead this trip to Dunsinane with me? Gideon asked, studying her intently.

I-I cant, she said, ashamed.

Gideon nodded gravely, and she could see his disappointment settle into the grooves on his face.

There are other ways to prepare her for leadership. She doesnt have to be thrown into deep waters to learn how to swim. Azra gave Gideon a stern glance, and he nodded absently.

Of course, he said, but she could see that his mind was already miles away, planning the expedition to Dunsinane.

While training is suspended during the mission, I will introduce Valerie to the Grand Masters and let her see the inner workings of Ardens government. There is more than one way to wage a battle against evil, and diplomacy is a powerful weapon.

Best of luck to you both, Gideon said formally, and then he left them.

Valeries shoulders slumped. I hope he can forgive me.

There is nothing to forgive, child. You have already given so much, and I have no doubt you will help many more. Come to my office tomorrow and we will begin.

Valerie skipped training that day. She didnt know if Gideon would be teaching, but she didnt want to take the chance of seeing his disappointment in her again.

Instead, she walked to the Lake of Knowledge, hoping that maybe she would find answers in the still waters that covered the world of Illyria, where all the universes knowledge resided. But no matter how hard she concentrated, the glittering water remained mute.

She gripped Thais crystal and was next to him. He was lying down, pale and sweaty. His eyes cracked open and he smiled.

The separation is starting; I know it, he said.

The panic she had experienced earlier at Gideons suggestion that she help him lead the mission to Dunsinane was nothing to compared to the bottomless fear that consumed her now.

I have to get back to Earth! she said, biting back curse words at her helplessness.

Its okay. Its not like its going to happen tomorrow. But soon.

Its too soon!

It means Ill get to be with you even quicker, Thai said. Besides, Chisisi is coming to be with me.

His words brought her a measure of relief. But its not the same as having me there. I never should have left you.

Youre worrying too much. This is supposed to happen. Its a natural process.

So theres no danger? Valerie asked, though she already knew the answer.

His eyes flickered away, and Tan took over. He didnt even grin. I thought I told you to leave us alone.

I cant do that. I care about you both too much.

You only care about him.

Thats not true! she said.

Yes it is. You disagree with everything I think and you wont help me do anything I want to do, Tan said, sounding for all the world like a spoiled brat.

Exaggerate much? Valerie snapped. Im your friend. The fact that I wont be your accomplice in murdering Venu doesnt change that.

Maybe you wont leave Thai alone, but at least leave me alone, Tan replied.

There was nothing more she could say, so she let her mind return to the Globe. She was shaking with fear. The idea that Thai could be taken from her had never been as real as it was at that moment.

It was physically painful to be away from Thai, but she didnt want to upset Tan more than she already had. What had happened to the innocent, excited boy she had met at the Great Pyramid six months ago? Would he ever be able to find his way back to being that person again?

To distract herself, Valerie went searching for Cyrus. She found him in the dorm cafeteria, eating lunch with his sister.

Val, come join! he called to her. She made herself a heaping plate of goodies and sat down.

Im glad I found you. I wanted to talk to you about your idea for finding Leo, Valerie said.

His eyes lit up. Ive been working on that. I think I have an idea about how to get a message to him, but I need to test it out.

Whys it so hard to contact this guy? Cara asked, interested.

He lives in Illyria, and they dont exactly have cell phone reception there, Cyrus said.

Wait"who has cell phones on the Globe? Valerie asked, confused.

Are you kidding? Theyve been in Messina as long as theyve been on Earth, Cara said. Probably longer.

Shed have to remember to tell Henry about that. Maybe hed be more comfortable on the Globe if he visited Messina and saw that one small piece of it resembled the world he had left behind.

So how are we going to test your idea, then? Cara asked.

Well need to go to the Hotel Aquatic, Cyrus said, naming the hotel where visiting Illyrians stayed when they came to Arden. It was entirely filled with water to accommodate the mermaids and mermen. Apparently it was palatial inside, though no two-legged Conjurors could ever go any further than the lobby.

In spite of her worries, a little bubble of excitement rose up inside of Valerie. When can we go?

No time like the present, Cyrus said with a grin.

The three of them headed over to the hotel. The building was made of glass, so you could see the flowing hair and long, fish-like tails of the Illyrians as they swam past the windows.

On the bottom floor was a door. Is it safe to open? Valerie asked doubtfully.

Cyrus laughed. Of course. This is how regular Conjurors come and visit.

But how do the Illyrians get here in the first place? she asked, mystified.

All of the water on the Globe is connected through underground aqueducts, he explained. This hotel sits on top of one of them, so the Illyrians swim to an underground entrance.

Cool, Cara breathed. Valerie couldnt agree more.

They opened the door to a room that glowed blue from the light shining through the water on every side of them. Standing behind a desk made of crystal was Juniper. It was strange to see him outside of their training sessions at the Knights Guild.

What are you doing here? Valerie asked her friend with surprise.

My dad is the architect of this hotel, he said. Its his pride and joy. He makes all of us kids work here until were eighteen to teach us work ethic. He shrugged. Parents, he said as if that explained it all.

Cyrus and Cara nodded in agreement, and Valerie was hit with little flash of jealousy at their shared experience with overbearing parents.

We came because we wanted to test out a theory, Cyrus said. Would it be okay if I tried to send someone inside a message?

Sure, tell me their name and Ill make their room glow. Theyll come down if theyre here.

Actually, I wanted to test sending a message another way, Cyrus explained.

Sure, man, whatever. Long as you dont break anything.

Cyrus pressed his hands against the glass walls of the lobby and concentrated. Light flowed out of his hands and into the water on the other side of the glass. The light shimmered and condensed into words, the way it had when he had sent the note to Dulcea in Elsinore.

Please come to the lobby when you receive this message. Thank you, Cara read the letters of light that were suspended in the water. She looked at her brother in total admiration.

The note whizzed away. I sent it two floors up, Cyrus said. Now we wait and see if it went to the person I was aiming for.

Who do you know whos staying in this hotel? Valerie asked.

Ive only met one Illyrian in my life"Gabriel. Hes the Society of Imaginary Friends contact when we urgently need answers from the Akashic Records. He doesnt always help us, but every now and then, hell share something important. Hes in town right now for a meeting with the Guild Grand Masters later this week, and he agreed to meet with Rastelli while hes here.

As he spoke, a merman swam up. He had long, gray hair that rippled in the water, and a green tail.

Cyrus, why did you send for me? Gabriel asked, his deep voice coming through the glass wall clearly.

It worked! Cyrus said with glee. The density of water was giving me trouble when I tried to send the light through it, but Ive got the hang of it, finally.

Gabriel cleared his throat. If hed had a foot, he would have tapped it. What is it, young man?

Oh, nothing, sorry. I was testing my message system.

So you awakened me for no reason at all?