I dont know what everyones expecting, he said nervously.

You can only help. The worst case is that we find nothing.

I hope Chromes hopes arent up, Henry said.

Valerie involuntarily winced at his words. Maybe a little.

Chromes hopes were sky high, because without new information there wasnt much more they could try.

He thinks Im the answer, doesnt he? Henry said, chewing on his already ragged thumbnail.

She nodded. I know its a lot of pressure. Thank you for doing this.

His face relaxed a little. Of course, sis. You know Ill do everything I can.

Kellen, Gideon, and Chrome were all waiting for them in the courtyard. As usual, Chrome was pacing restlessly, and his eyes lit up at their approach.

Why dont we do this in my office, away from prying eyes? Kellen asked.

They followed the fairy to his corner office. It was large and beautiful, with tinted windows that let in a gentle light. Inside was a tiny desk on a pedestal that was clearly where Kellen did his work. There were also a number of chairs in all shapes and sizes. Henry and Valerie pulled two of the larger chairs together, facing each other. Kellen and Chrome hovered nearby.

Tell us if you need anything, Gideon said.

A little space would be great, Henry said, and Kellen and Chrome reluctantly moved back.

Valerie gripped Henrys hands and fully opened her mind to him. She showed him what Jet looked like"black and sleek, racing through the forest as he tracked invisible magic trails that only he and Chrome could sense. She also remembered what his personality was like, courageous, smart, and loyal. He was a little less serious than Chrome, and knew how to make her smile.

She could see Henry absorbing the information. Ready? he asked, and she nodded.

He opened his mind to her, and for the first time in weeks, the connection returned in full force. All of his worry, self-doubt, and sadness flooded through her. She had no idea how much he had been holding in"the grief over missing his father, his rage at whoever had attacked her, insecurity about Kanti, and an overriding terror that Sanguina and Zunya would find him again.

Before she could react, he turned his thoughts toward the problem at hand, and she tried to help him focus. Together, they concentrated on Jet. At first, it was forced, almost silly. Henry was pushing outward, as if there was a wall in his mind that he could knock down.

Suddenly a vibration of magic hummed through her, and his mind seemed to expand, sweeping across the Globe. They watched in amazement as rivers, valleys, and forests rushed through their minds. She was in awe at her brothers power, but she guided his mind toward the purple mountains of Dunsinane.

He homed in on Jet like he was a beacon of light in the darkness. Henrys mind saw the Black Castle and rushed toward it, inside it, through the dark halls and into a room with a blood red throne that she recognized. It was where she had fought Sanguina.

A figure stood by the throne with his back turned. In the dim light, she could barely see his tall form, but his dizzying, dark power was unmistakable.

Im done with him, Reaper said, his voice laced with disgust. For the first time, she saw Jet, lying on his side, breathing shallowly. His coat was no longer black. Whatever Reaper had done to him had turned it entirely white. If she had stumbled upon him, she wouldnt have recognized him.

Henry gently probed the wolfs mind. He almost immediately recoiled at what he found. There were broken visions of a tall, robed man sending excruciating waves of pain through his body.

Ill take it from here, Zunya said, stepping into Jets line of sight. The wolf didnt even have the energy to move away as Zunya reached out and touched his fur. It would have seemed like a gentle pat if she hadnt known that he was ripping away the remaining shreds of Jets magic.

Henry forced himself to reenter Jets mind as his very life force was ripped away. When Zunya finally pulled back, Jet was unconscious and barely alive. She doubted his magic would ever return. Valerie forced herself to keep her horror in check so that she didnt accidentally sever Henrys mental connection with the wolf.

Boy, take him to his cell, Zunya commanded. A boy about her age stepped from the shadows. It was Shade, one of the crew who attacked Conjurors and stole their magic. She suddenly remembered that Chern had said he had come looking for her, and a wave of guilt washed over her. Maybe hed been trying to help her, like he had in the Black Castle with Sanguina. She should have tried to find him sooner.

She could see the fear and pity in Shades eyes at the sight of the wolf. He and another boy gently picked up his body and headed down to the cells in the dungeon.

She had a burst of inspiration. They had to send Shade a message. Henry immediately caught her intent and approached Shades mind.

They sent an offer of immunity if he would come to Arden and help them. She swore that he and his gang would be taken care of, given food, shelter, and help developing their magic if they wanted it.

He seemed stunned, and stumbled. Valerie? he whispered. There was hope in his voice. Well come.

They saw him carefully, almost tenderly lay Jet on the ground. In the adjacent cell, a whimper caught their attention. Her mind reeled at the sight of Darling curled up piteously. He was in chains.

Her shock severed Henrys connection with Jet, and abruptly they were back in Kellens office. Henry slumped back in his chair, exhausted.

Chrome ran over to her and put his front paws on her knees. He stared into her eyes, waiting for answers.

Jets alive, she said, and Chromes eyes lit up. But hes hurt. Hes in the Black Castle. And Darling is trapped there with him.

She registered the alarm on Gideons face, but noticed that Kellen seemed distracted.

So were no better off than we were before, Kellen fluttered nervously around Valeries chair.

Not necessarily. Along the way, we met an old"friend, Valerie said, stumbling on the word. But she realized that Shade"Jack"had been a friend to her. She didnt know what happened in his life that drove him to follow Zunya, but she would try to suspend her judgment. He had proven that the good in him outweighed the bad.

Kellen narrowed his eyes. What are you saying?

Shes saying that you will finally have your guide to the Black Castle, Henry said. His voice sounded weary, but she also sensed his underlying satisfaction that he had been able to help.

A cascade of disconnected images raced through her mind from Chrome"the morning sun on fresh green leaves, wind tickling gray fur, and Jet leaping over a smoldering fire. Chrome was sending her thanks"they had given him hope.

Do you think it was wrong that we didnt give them all the details? Valerie asked Thai. He was himself for the first time in days.

No, it would only make Chrome insane. Thats how Id feel in his shoes.

Me, too, Valerie agreed. Picturing Thai being tortured by Reaper and Zunya made her flesh crawl.

Do you think" she started to ask him another question when suddenly Thai began to shiver.

What is it? she asked.

Beads of sweat popped out on his forehead and he groaned. Then he fell back against his pillows.

Chisisi! She screamed, searching for him in every room of the house. She found him in Joes tiny greenhouse. He took one look at her face and raced to Thais bedroom, where he was thrashing on the bed, mumbling.

The crisis has come. It is time, Chisisi said.

What can I do? I have to help!

He turned to her with sympathetic eyes. There is not much either of us can do, young miss. But stay with him. The sight of your face can only comfort him now.

Thai screamed in pain. Please make it stop!

Let me die! Though the voice was similar, there was a childlike quality to it that made her selfishly hope that it was Tan who had spoken.

Valerie fell to her knees beside Thais bed, frozen on the outside, and burned alive on the inside. She had never felt so helpless in her life"not when Zunya robbed her of her powers, or Sanguina controlled her mind, or when she had been brutally punished by her foster parents.

You have to do something, she begged Chisisi.

Henrys dad poked his head in the doorway and tentatively entered. He had a bowl of water and a washcloth.

Thank you, Chisisi said.

Yes, thank you, Joe, Valerie said, but couldnt tear her eyes away from Thai.

Ive been researching teas that can help with the pain. Ill brew him one, Joe said. He left, quietly closing the door behind him.

Thai was shaking so hard that he was almost a blur. Chisisi added herbs from Zakis pouch to the water Joe had brought. Gently, he brought the bowl to Thais lips, and he sipped the liquid. He sputtered at the taste, but Chisisi firmly kept pouring the drink down his throat. The shaking stopped, and Thai stared at Valerie intensely.

Dont leave me"if this is the end, yours is the last face I want to see, he said.

His eyes flashed gold, and Tan snarled at her. Then they rapidly changed between dark brown and gold, flickering like strobe lights. The shaking resumed. Thai opened his mouth in a wide, silent scream that tore her heart in half.

Even more frightening, his mouth seemed to open even more, yawning wider like a scene from a horror movie. She almost backed away at the sight, but forced herself to bend closer so he could see that she was still there.

She heard a ripping sound and saw that it was his clothes. Then the air around him shimmered. She heard a high-pitched keening that was even worse than his screams. The shimmering stopped, and a body fell off the bed and onto the floor. She crouched beside the figure and stared into his dark brown eyes.

Im still here, she whispered. And Im not going anywhere.

He reached for her, and she reached back. But they touched nothing but air. Chisisi covered him with a blanket, and Thai fell backward onto the ground.

No! she screamed.

Chisisi made a soft hushing sound and checked his pulse. He is alive. It is typical that both Thai and Tan will be unconscious as they recover. It may be a few days before they awake. But his heart beats strongly. He will fight his way back to you.

Then they both turned to the form on the bed. Tans eyes were closed, and his dark hair was matted against his forehead. Chisisi touched his wrist and nodded.

He will live, he said, and Valerie slumped with relief.

Its over? she asked, her voice sounding small and shaky.

Chisisi nodded and bowed his head in prayer.

Tan turned his head to the other side, and Valerie gasped. Now visible on his neck was a black handprint. Radiating out from it were lines that could be blood poisoning.

Chisisis mouth was set in a grim line. This is not from the separation. This is something else.

Its where Venu touched him with his poison, Valerie whispered. Will he die?

Chisisi shook his head. I dont think so. But I do not know what this means. Zaki didnt speak of this.

The reminder of Zaki, dead in the service of saving her, on top of everything she had seen that day, completely broke Valerie down. She sobbed. Chisisis lips were compressed tightly, as if he, too, was barely keeping his grief in check.

Against her will, Valeries mind was drawn back to the Globe because of the intensity of her emotions. Henry and Midnight were beside her.

What happened? Henry asked.

It-its okay. Thai and Tan separated, but theyre going to live, Valerie replied.

So these are tears of happiness? he asked, chewing on his thumbnail.

She blew her nose. Thais unconscious and somethings wrong with Tan and Jet might die and theyve taken Darling, and poor Zaki He nodded and squeezed her hand. Itll be okay.

Im sorry. Im a mess. Ill get myself under control in a second.

He shook his head. Better out than in. Thats what Dad always says about tears.

Your father is right, Midnight agreed, her voice soft. I know from experience.

Will they be okay? Valerie asked her.

Ill visit them now, and consult with Chisisi. I will watch over their case personally until any danger has passed, Midnight promised.

Valerie sagged with relief, and Henry and Midnight stayed with her while she cried herself out. It was strange but intensely comforting to face this crisis with people who loved her. It was like having a family.

Chapter 21.

The next few days passed very slowly. Valerie spent as much time as possible at Thais side, watching him sleep. Even though Midnight checked on Thai often and assured Valerie that they were recovering normally, Valerie couldnt bring herself to leave him long enough to visit her Guild, even though she knew that Jet and Darling were counting on her. It was like she was in a state of suspended animation.

It was three days, five hours and thirty-two minutes before Thai awoke. She had fallen asleep herself, but something woke her up. She immediately sent her mind to Thais side and found him sitting on the edge of the bed in his room, watching over Tan. He smiled when he saw her.

Im so sorry, she said, trying to keep the tears that were still close to the surface from spilling over.

For what?

I wanted to be here when you woke up.

Chisisi told me that youve barely left my side. And in some way I knew you were here, and I knew it was going to be okay, his dark eyes stared at her hungrily, like he wanted to remember every nuance of her face.

How are you?

Better than Ive been since this whole thing started. Like Im myself again.

What about Tan? Is he okay? I thought youd wake up at the same time.