In Henrys mind, Valerie could see that he was testing his ability to mentally shove Kellen the way he had done to Ani. His magic hummed loudly, and Valerie suspected that his protective instincts were fueling his abilities. He was standing in front of Kanti, who was conscious but bleeding from her temple, and Valerie knew with certainty that Henry wouldnt let Kellen through, even if it killed him.

She saw that Sanguina had been dragged back, and the Knight hauling her kicked her so she fell to the ground. Once Sanguina was subdued, the Knight turned to Valerie with fierce determination in his eyes. Next to him was Mira, who transformed himself into Zunya again, which had the desired effect of freezing Valerie with fear. Her lapse was all that the other Knight needed to land a stunning blow to her right shoulder. But the resulting pain was a blessing, focusing her and flooding her with magic.

Sanguina took the opportunity to run again, and the large Knight growled and tackled her.

Seizing her chance, Valerie launched herself at Mira and they collapsed to the ground. They wrestled, shoving each others faces into the dirt. He managed to get on top of her, pinning her to the ground.

Surrender and stand trial for the crime of treason, Mira said, out of breath.

In response, Valerie hooked her leg around Miras and experienced a guilty pleasure in seeing Zunyas likeness crumple to the ground. She followed up with a swift elbow to his head, and his eyes closed. As soon as he was unconscious, Mira returned to his small brown form, and Valerie hoped that she hadnt caused any serious bruising. He was only doing his job.

Without turning around, Valerie knew that the other Knight was racing toward her. He must have restrained Sanguina. She let her magic whisper to her, and, sensing his position, threw herself forward while reaching up to grab the Knight. She used his momentum against him and he tumbled over top of her head and hit the ground, hard.

Valerie was ready to press her advantage, but that was when she realized what the Knights power was"he was a Master swordsman. He drew his sword from its sheath and she barely had time to draw Pathos before he charged her.

His dark brown eyes were filled with anger and confusion, and Valeries guilt was a disadvantage, dampening her magic. The Knight had no idea why Valerie and her friends had attacked.

Valerie was completely on the defensive, barely blocking each of his strikes. Still, she could see surprise replacing some of his confusion. Her skills as a vivicus were well known, but not everyone was aware of how well she fought.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Henry had somehow forced Kellen into the cloud of dust he had created to incapacitate Gideon. It didnt knock him out, but Henry appeared safe, and was turning his attention to Cyrus and Claremont. But first, his eyes connected with hers, and his confidence in her ability to win her battle blasted away her guilt.

With renewed energy, Valerie let her magic fill her. Her thrusts and parries came more quickly, and the Knights muscles strained to meet her blows. Pathos flashed in the sun, and when Valerie brought it down with all her might, the Knights sword shattered under the force of her blow. He threw the useless hilt at her, and it bashed into her forehead.

She barely registered the pain. Instead, she let her magic guide her to use exactly the amount of force she needed to hit the nerve beside his neck with the heel of her hand. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious, but she knew he wouldnt suffer much when he woke up.

Sanguina was struggling to her feet nearby, and Valerie helped her.

Your sword will cut these bonds, Sanguina said, holding out the glowing ropes that bound her hands.

Valerie didnt have time to question how a sword could cut through ropes clearly laced with powerful magic. Instead she sliced through them like they were ribbons, and they fell to the ground, dull and powerless.

Go to the meeting point, Valerie commanded.

I can help, Sanguina said, and Valerie could sense how badly she wanted to participate in the fight. Which was the very reason why she wouldnt let her.

No. Go now, Valerie commanded, picking up the sliced ropes and giving them to Sanguina. Sanguina took the ropes and raced toward the fountain.

The worst of the fight seemed to be over. The Knight fighting Chrome was bloody and unconscious, but breathing. Claremont was on her knees, glaring at Henry, who was holding her back with the telekinetic power he used against Kellen and Ani. Claremont struggled against his invisible restraints, but his concentration was focused. Still, Valerie came over and executed the same move she had used on the Knight she had just defeated, and Claremont collapsed to the ground.

The cloud around Kellen and Gideon had dispersed, and thankfully Gideon was returning to consciousness.

Youre all traitors and will stand trial for what youve done, Kellen said, his voice filled with rage.

Were not the only ones with things to answer for, Valerie replied. The little fairy turned a dark, angry red, and flew away toward the Knights Guild.

Lets get out of here, Kanti said wearily. We need to be gone before he gets reinforcements.

Henry tenderly wiped away the blood on Kantis temple. He shot an angry glance at the Knight Valerie had just defeated. Ill make that oaf suffer for doing that to you.

Kanti gave him a half smile. Youre too late. Valerie already did. Besides, it was an accident.

Cyrus and Valerie helped Gideon to his feet, but he still seemed unsteady. Chrome flashed an image in her mind of the tall tree in the forest where the rest of the group was gathering for their journey. With the permission of the People of the Woods, Chrome would lead them to their meeting spot in Dunsinane. He raced across the courtyard and was out of sight.

That dude has some serious energy to burn, Cyrus said, staring after Chrome with wide eyes.

Things didnt go as planned, but we are all accounted for? Gideon managed to mumble.

Yes, were all okay. But what about you? Valerie asked her mentor.

The magic will wear off in a few days. What happened? Gideon asked.

Ill tell ya, Cyrus said with a big grin. These slackers all hid in a corner, and I took on all four of the Knights and Kellen myself. Naturally, they were quickly defeated.

Yeah, they didnt stand a chance against all that bright light. It was terrifying to behold, Kanti quipped.

If youve found your sarcasm, then you cant be that hurt, Cyrus retorted.

A knot of tension melted in Valeries lower back as her friends all laughed. Aside from some bruises, the first part of the plan had been a success. Everyone was alive, and Sanguina was free.

They reached the fountain, where Sanguina waited for them. Gideon pulled the stem of one of the jeweled roses, and the staircase leading to the underground city of Plymouth opened.

The residents of Plymouth had chosen to be shut off from the world above, and in return for secrecy, they allowed Masters of the Guilds to travel using the Shortcut, which was a series of clear tubes that had been enchanted to reduce the distance of every one hundred miles to one mile.

The group sped on a plush platform through the clear tubes toward Dunsinane. The familiar uneasiness that always haunted Valerie when she was trapped inside turned her knees to jelly. After all of the things shed faced, why did this still bother her? She twisted the Laurel Circle on her thumb, as if she could make it warmer from the friction.

Traveling through the clear tubes would allow them to get to Dunsinane in a matter of hours, but she wished that she were aboveground with Chrome and the rest of their little army. Ceru had arranged for their travel with the People of the Woods. He knew of another ladder that would send them close to the border of Dunsinane, and if all went according to plan they would meet in the morning.

Youre allowed to relax now, you know, Cyrus said to her.

She scanned everyones faces. Kanti was snuggled against Henry, and her cut was shallow. Gideon was asleep, but he appeared peaceful. Even Sanguina appeared calm as she stared over the edge of the platform, watching the city cut into the bedrock with wide eyes, more human than Valerie had ever seen her.

I cant relax until this is all over, Valerie replied. Even though were all okay for now, everyone will be waiting for me to tell them what to do.

Its what you were born to do, I think, Cyrus said.

The Laurel Circle was a little warmer on her thumb. Maybe Cyrus was right. She must have nodded off in spite of herself, because before she knew it, the platform was slowing, stopping in front of a staircase that was in much worse shape than the one they used when entering the underground city in Arden.

We must proceed with caution, Gideon said. The entrance to Dunsinane hasnt been used in centuries and upkeep has been neglected.

Ill go first, Valerie said, leaving no room for debate in her voice.

To her surprise, no one, not even Gideon, argued with her. It was simultaneously terrifying to see how easily they accepted her authority and comforting to know that she had the power to put their welfare ahead of her own.

Valerie climbed off the platform and examined the staircase. There was a very low hum of magic emanating from the top stair.

I think it might be booby-trapped, she said.

She tossed a rock at the step, but nothing happened. Carefully she climbed up, testing each stair for stability before putting her weight on it.

Be careful! Cyrus said, the usual thread of humor absent from his voice.

The final stair was very old and weak, and she realized that the magic wasnt coming from the step itself. She touched it with her finger, and it crumbled, leaving a gaping hole. She could hear water flowing far below, and the hum of magic was louder. It also had a strange quality to it, something dark and slimy. Whatever magic was in the water had been left by the Fractus.

From where she stood, Valerie reached up to slide away the rock that blocked the exit. It took all her strength to push it open, and the stone made a terrible groaning noise as it slowly slid aside.

She jumped up, using her power to give her an extra boost, and clung to the edge of the exit, right above the hole where the last stair had been, for a heart-stopping second. But magic and adrenaline quickly enabled her to pull herself up and out of Plymouth.

Valerie peered back down at the anxious faces staring up at her. Give me a minute and Ill help you all up. I want to do a quick check for threats.

She also needed to get her bearings. She had emerged in the middle of an eerie purple canyon. There were strange black tracks that led away as far as the eye could see, and cut into the side of the canyon were crumbling buildings. One was an old mansion, with pillars and a huge porch on the outside, while the rest of the home wasnt visible, and must be cut into the rock face. The tracks and buildings were as old as the exit from Plymouth.

It was almost dark outside, and the air was dusty, making it hard to breathe easily. The filth settled in her pores, and Valerie knew that whatever place this was, it had been the cradle of something evil. It seemed like a fitting reception to the land where the Fractus lived.

Chapter 36.

As much as no one wanted to camp in the canyon, they all had to get rest while they had the chance. Still, no one even suggested exploring the buildings or sleeping anywhere other than outside in the beds made from houseplants that Kanti had packed in a callbox back in Arden.

Even after everything was set up, no one wanted to leave the tight circle that they had formed to eat the dinner that Dulcea had left for them in the callbox.

What is this place? Cyrus asked.

It feelswrong, Henry said, pulling Kanti closer to him.

Even Gideon shook his head. I knew this was the only exit from Plymouth into Dunsinane, but I didnt know exactly where it would take us.

Its the former capital of the Globe, Sanguina said, speaking up for the first time since they had helped her escape.

What happened? Cyrus asked, fascinated.

The Fractus were a powerful political group then. But they tried to overthrow the elected government and marshal the magic needed to return to Earth. It was a war.

But the Fractus must have lost, Henry said harshly.

Sanguina shrugged. They didnt get back to Earth. But thousands of people were slaughtered, and everyone fled to different corners of the Globe. We havent been a unified people ever since.

Silence followed her words.

And nowtheres no capital for the entire Globe? Valerie asked.

Each country has its own government, Kanti said. But I never knew that things used to be different.

The Fractus are many things, but they do keep history faithfully alive, Sanguina said. Even I didnt know many of these stories until I became one of them, she said, her voice distant.

So is this place totally deserted now? Cyrus asked.

The last group was driven out three-quarters of a century ago, Sanguina replied.

Maybe someday, well all find our way back to each other, Valerie said hopefully.

Sanguina didnt say anything, but she walked away from the group, choosing to sleep on the hard ground rather than one of the plush beds. The mood was broken, and everyone went to sleep.

Valerie didnt think that she would be able to rest with everything that had happened and was about to happen, but to her surprise, she fell asleep quickly and slept soundly for the first night in a long time.

Valerie was the first one up the next day, but in Arden, Dulcea must have already been hard at work, because a breakfast of neon-colored pastries that tasted like they had been baked in heaven were waiting for them. There was also a funny sketch of herself fighting a frazzled Zunya, who was peeing his pants in fear. She was still giggling over it when Cyrus joined her.

He looked at the drawing and started laughing, too. He really does have the weirdest hairline. Did Dulcea draw this?

Valerie shook her head. I think its from Jack. If his sense of humor is returning, he must be doing better.

Maybe that little creep isnt a total loser after all, Cyrus said, his cheeriness taking the sting out of his choice of words.

I slept too long, Gideon said, sounding a little disoriented. Ive never done so before.

Do you think Kellens magic is still affecting you? What was that stuff, anyway? Valerie asked him.

Fairy dust. It can be charmed to do many things, but this time to befuddle and paralyze me, I believe. A common use, Gideon said with a little of his old confidence.

Befuddle? Cyrus asked, confused.

Confuse, genius, Kanti said, rumpled but still gorgeous as she rubbed her eyes.

Henry was beside her. Sorry, shes not a morning person.

No, you dont say, Cyrus said with exaggerated shock, earning a growl from Kanti.

Sanguina was nowhere to be seen, and Valerie had a panicky moment when she thought she had been betrayed"again. But then she saw Sanguinas red hair in the distance. She was staring down the length of the canyon. Valerie grabbed a pastry and joined her.

Thank you, Sanguina said in surprise when Valerie gave her the treat.

Will we make it to the place where were all supposed to meet up on time? Valerie asked.

Sanguina nodded. We arent far from the Oasis. And it isnt typically patrolled by Fractus because a spell that wards off evil lingers there from one of the old battles. It isnt as powerful anymore, but it has the effect of making those with bad intentions very ill when they are near.

Gideon chose the perfect spot.

Im surprised he knew about it. Few do.

Elden shared the information with Azra, because it is near one of the homes of the People of the Woods, Gideon said, joining them. His color was a little better now that hed eaten.

How do we get there? Valerie asked, trying to keep the eagerness out of her voice as she eyed the old black tracks. What did they do? She loved traveling on the Globe. Rollercoaster? Wind tunnel?