Chapter 34.

The next day, Valerie was awakened by a deep ache in her palm. She was clutching Thais charm so tightly that it had cut into her skin.

The full impact of his betrayal tried to tug her back into the darkness. To blindside her like this, he could never have truly loved her. And she had fallen in love with an ideal of Thai instead of the reality"a guy who would cheat and abandon someone whom only weeks ago he said he loved.

Without realizing what she was doing, she ripped the charm off her neck and threw it across the room. She was startled by the ugly thoughts that came to her mind. She had the sudden desire to make him suffer as much as she was.

The thought sickened her. No matter what had happened, she wouldnt be on the Globe now had he not risked his life to get her here. She walked to the corner of the room and retrieved the charm. She couldnt bring herself to tie it around her neck, so instead, she slid it into her pocket.

Kanti peeked out from under the covers of Henrys bed. Henry was there, too, asleep in a chair in the corner. Her heart squeezed, but this time because she was touched.

You okay? Kanti asked.

Shes going to be, Henry said, rubbing his eyes. Im proud of you, sis.

She wanted to tell him how much he meant to her, and how grateful she was. Henry Its okay, I can feel it. And right back at you.

She nodded briskly, forcing herself to focus on the other big news she had faced last night. Our timetable for attacking the Black Castle has moved up"weve got one week to save Darling and Oberon before the Excision.

Arent we close to ready? Kanti asked.

Valerie nodded. Can you two let Gideon know? Theres one more person I want to talk to before we leave.

Valerie knocked on Azras door, hoping she wasnt abroad on business. She was in luck, and the door opened at her touch. Azra stepped off the patch of grass in her office, and Valerie was stunned at her appearance.

It had been a few weeks since she had seen Azra, and something was different about her. She was always beautiful, but now she seemed to glow, as if a spotlight lit her from behind, turning the fine white hairs on her body silver. She radiated life.

At first, Valerie was so taken aback by the sight that she didnt notice that Azras eyes had tears in them.

What is it? Tell me whats wrong and Ill fix it.

Azra dipped her head forward and her silver horn glinted. When she looked back up, her eyes had regained their usual peace. As always, you humble me with your pure, unselfish heart. I have had some surprising news of a personal nature.

Valerie waited to see if she would continue, but when Azra didnt say any more, she decided it would be rude to push her for more information than she was ready to give.

Would you like me to leave you alone?

By no means. I welcome your presence. Gideon and I have consulted on the new effort to seek the Black Castle, and I believe with your leadership you will succeed.

Valerie shook her head. I cant be the leader. Im bringing my magic and Pathos.

I wish it were not so, but I am afraid the time has come for you to put away such thoughts. Though you never sought it, leadership is in your blood, and it is time to embrace it.

I was thinking"hoping"that maybe if you came with us, people would turn to you and Gideon. And no one is better at leading than you, surely.

Azras laugh in her mind had a wistful note. You do not see how alike we are. Neither of us wishes to lead, which is perhaps why we are so well suited for it. In you I see a bud that will flower into a leader to inspire us all.

But not yet! Valerie said, her panic rising and hating the desperation in her voice.

Azra stepped closer to her. I had hoped to shield you from such a burden for a time. It weighs on my heart that I cannot join you on this quest. But this is how it is meant to be. I trust you to find a strength and confidence in yourself that will enable you to lead us all into a better future. And you are not alone.

I know, Valerie said, but dread was forming in the core of her being and it would swallow her up if she let it.

Though I cannot fight this battle with you or for you, I am still here to support you. Please believe that, and forgive me.

Impulsively, Valerie threw her arms around Azras neck and buried her face in her mane. If she shed a tear, it didnt show in her iridescent hair. There could never be anything to forgive. Ill make you proud.

You already have.

Henrys mind briefly touched hers as she left the Capitol building, and she knew that she would find him with Gideon, Kanti, and Cyrus at the Lake of Knowledge. She hurried to them, knowing that they had to break Sanguina out of the Knights holding cell today if they were to have any chance of saving Darling and Oberon before the Excision.

They transfer Sanguina from the Knights of Light to the Justice Guild today, Gideon said after Valerie arrived. We need to grab her in transit, because the Justice Guild is completely impenetrable. No one awaiting trial has ever escaped.

This is what we planned for, Kanti said. Are we ready?

Valerie saw that they were all looking at her, and she remembered her promise to Azra. We can do this.

The mood lightened with her words, and she knew that she had said the right thing. They really did trust her. It was a heavy responsibility to carry.

Whos guarding Sanguina when they transfer her? Cyrus asked.

Myself, Kellen, and two other Knights whom he trusts, Gideon said.

I dont want any Knights getting hurt to save her. Shes not worth it, Henry spoke up, unable to keep his bitterness from his voice.

It would help if we could alert her to when the escape will be taking place. But I cannot speak to her again without creating suspicion, Gideon said.

We could send her a message, Valerie said, turning to Henry.

Henry turned pale. It would mean touching her mind.

You dont have to do it, Kanti said quickly. We can find another way.

Kantis right, Valerie agreed. This was no time for Henry to become unhinged.

Two bright red spots appeared on his cheeks. I can do this. The Empaths encourage us to face what we fear most.

If youre sure Valerie said, wishing now that she had never suggested contacting Sanguinas mind.

I am, he said, and abruptly opened his mind to her.

Valerie absorbed his panic and tried to keep a tight hold on her own self-control in hopes that it would rub off on Henry. He took a shuddering breath and the level of his fear dialed down enough for them to concentrate.

Locating Sanguinas mind was harder than it had been finding Jet or Chrome. Even though they both knew Sanguina as a vampyre, they had never really understood her as a person. Henry searched for the dark, twisted mind he knew too well and didnt find it.

Valerie forced herself to send him other images, of Sanguina sending Oberon to help her against Reaper and apologizing for what she had done. Henry didnt want to let these contradictory thoughts in, but she kept nudging him, reminding him of how Sanguina had yelled at her to duck so that Zunya could be chased off by Oberons lightning. Henry had witnessed that himself.

Finally, a glimmer of Sanguinas mind flickered in the corner of their consciousness. Once they spotted it, they drew closer. Her mind was confused and angry, and there was still darkness in it. But she didnt have the crazed, almost maniacal hatred emanating from her that they both associated with her presence. Her mind was tortured. Sanguina had known pain, both physical and emotional.

Almost as soon as they sensed her, she tried to push them out of her mind. Quickly, Valerie sent her an image of their faces, and the resistance stopped. She ran through the basics of the plan she and Gideon had developed to help her escape, showing her at what point she should run.

As soon as the message was delivered, Henry cut their contact with Sanguina. As Valerie refocused on the world around her, she saw that the color had drained from his face again.

Shes different than I thought shed be. That makes it worse, somehow, Henry said.

What do you mean? Valerie asked.

In a weird way, it was comforting to think she was psycho. But she isnt, and she did what she did to me anyway.

I think she was crazy when she was a vampyre.

Henry shrugged, doubtful. Kanti took his hand and squeezed, and he managed to give her a brief smile.

Henry, you gave us a distinct advantage today, Gideon said. It was the right thing to say, because Henrys shoulders relaxed. Do you all know where youre supposed to be, and at what time?

Everyone nodded.

What about the rest of the group? Cyrus asked. We should touch base with everyone who will be joining us to double check that they know what theyre doing.

Agreed, Valerie said. And if you can get some rest, do it. The next time well all be safe and sound could be awhile.

Despite the advice she had given her friends, Valerie knew that she couldnt rest"yet. Even though she would rather be burned with a hot iron, she had to talk to Thai. She settled herself on a rock beside the lake after her friends had left. She decided to give herself one minute, and only one minute, to give in to the pain.

Anguish blasted through her body, leaving her trembling, as she absorbed the fact that she had lost him. She would never hold his hand or kiss his lips or lie with him under the stars again. Then came the anger at his betrayal, which brought a kind of dark relief from the torture of missing him. When the minute was over, she felt a little better.

She had her pride and wouldnt let him see the extent of the damage he had caused. With her emotions tightly reined in, she touched Thais charm in her pocket.

Thai sat on a twin bed in a small room, and thankfully he was alone. He was reading a large calculus textbook. He must be visiting or attending the university in America that had accepted him. What a wonderful coincidence that Logan was either at the same school or close enough to visit him.

Thai set his book down next to him on the bed when he saw that shed arrived. His jaw muscles were tense, and his eyes were wary.

I thought you might never visit me again, he said, and his voice sounded a little rough. Im sorry you had to see that yesterday.

Im not here about you and Logan. I get it, and theres nothing to talk about. I came to tell you that Midnight and I have done our best to buy you and Tan time to make your decision about whether or not you want to come to the Globe, but youve only got six days.

What happened?

The Grand Masters are worried that the Fractus are going to come back to Earth at any moment. They didnt even want to wait a week.

Then why did they? Not for my sake, Im guessing.

It doesnt matter why. I wanted you to have as much time as possible to decide.

He seemed to be struggling to say something, but when he opened his mouth he sounded cold. Thanks for the heads up.

She nodded, but the distance in his voice made her flinch.

He took an involuntary step toward her, and color rushed into his cheeks. Valerie, I swear"

The door opened, and Tan stepped in the room. Hey bro, lets get going or well miss class, he said to Thai. Then he noticed Valerie. Oh, shes here. Again.

Youll tell Tan what he needs to know? Valerie asked, not sure she could stand another minute in Thais presence. He nodded.

It was a sweet relief to let her mind return to the Globe and to wrap herself in the numbness that was allowing her to function. Even her terror about leading this enormous mission seemed smaller now. It might be wrong, but she was thankful that she had so many distractions from the hole in her heart.

Chapter 35.

Gideon sent a message that Sanguina would be moved an hour before dark, so Valerie hurried to her hiding place behind a large statue of a chimera, a creature that was part lion, part snake, and part goat. It stood in front of the Disguises Guild, which was next door to the Knights, and offered her a perfect view of Sanguina being transferred as she was led to the Justice Guild.

Kellen was the first to emerge from the arches of the Knights Guild, and she was surprised to see that there were five guards flanking Sanguina, including Gideon, which was more than there were supposed to be. From the tightness in Gideons step, she could see that he was worried about the change in plans.

Two of the Knights Valerie recognized. Mira, who she had met at her test, had the ability to change his form, and Claremont had magic similar to her own"fighting. The other two Knights she had seen around, but didnt know much about. They were both tall, burly men, the kind you would expect to find in the Knights of Light. But this was the Globe, so who knew what kind of magic they wielded in addition to being expertly trained fighters. She noticed that one had a sword strapped to his side, and the other carried a bow and arrow.

Before Valerie could even consider calling off the plan, she saw that Kanti was already walking down the colored path with a little sway in her step. From the grumpy frown on her face, she wasnt very happy about being a distraction"or bait, as she referred to her role.

Kanti stepped respectfully aside as the group came past, and Valerie saw that the two large Knights were staring at her. She gave them a little wave, and they both grinned. Valerie had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. She was beginning to understand why Kanti found the attention so irritating.

Then Kanti raised her arms and an explosion of red flower petals burst from her palms. Oops! she said with a giggle.

Its a trick! Kellen shouted angrily. Get your heads together!

Everyone was stunned"except for Sanguina and Gideon, who knew what was happening. Sanguina began to run toward the meeting point"the fountain at the center of The Horseshoe. Her hands and feet had been tied with a strange, glowing rope, so she wasnt moving quickly.

One of the large Knights chased after her, knocking Kanti to the ground in the process. Her head hit a rock.

Chrome sped across the green lawn and pounced on the Knight with the bow and arrow. They were a blur of fur and fists, but knowing how much rage was fueling Chrome, Valerie wasnt worried about him.

Gideon turned to Kellen, trying to swat the fairy out of the air. But he moved so quickly that even Gideons lightning reflexes didnt stand a chance. Before Valerie had even made it to the melee, Gideon had collapsed in a strange, glittering cloud of brown dust that had burst from Kellens fluttering wings.

Get away from him! Valerie shouted as she launched herself at Kellen. The hum of magic was strong, but she reached out with her mind to find Henry, who was racing toward Kanti. They bombarded Kellens mind, trying to confuse and overwhelm him. But they couldnt sense him at all"it was as if he didnt exist.

You wont get in that way, Kellen sneered. Valerie guessed that fairies minds must be blocked like the Illyrians were.

Kellen wasnt their only problem. Cyrus was keeping Claremont at bay"barely"by using flashes of light to temporarily blind her. He landed a few punches, but even without her sight, she was much more powerful than he was.