Its so good to have you back, Valerie.

She hugged Dulcea.

I left some treats in your room. I remembered how much you loved my chocolates, Dulcea said. Dulceas magic was expressed in her desserts, and they were the most delicious candies Valerie had ever eaten in her life.

The two parted ways, and Valerie went to her room, now empty, missing her roommate. As she stepped inside, she remembered the first time she had met Kanti. She was in the room, dancing to hip-hop. After Valerie got over the shock of her strange appearance, the two quickly bonded. The room seemed lonely without her.

Her side of the room was untouched, and Pathos, her sword, lay on her bed. She strapped on her sheath and slid Pathos into it. It was good to have it by her side again. It was as much a part of her as her magic, and she had missed its security.

She lay on her bed and touched the crystal that would connect her to Thai and was instantly by his side. He was sleeping in a twin bed in a small room. His eyes were shadowed, and he slept the sleep of the exhausted. But he must have sensed something, because he woke up, and he smiled when he saw her.

I was dreaming about you, he said. We were arm wrestling. You beat me.

How romantic, she said sarcastically, but actually she thought it really was.

How are you and Henry? Everything okay?

It is now. Were safe in our dorm. You dont need to worry about us. Where are you, anyway?

Im staying in Henrys old bedroom. Joe seemed fragile after Henry left, and I didnt want to leave him by himself. Chisisi is taking Zakis body back to Egypt today.

She was chilled by his words. With all the excitement of the past couple of days, she hadnt processed the full horror of what had happened to him. He was murdered. The word made bile rise in her throat.

What is it? Thai asked.

He wouldnt have been in danger if it werent for Henry and me. He died because of us.

Dont do that, he said, sitting up. You know that he was part of a larger battle against the Fractus. They were more after him than either of you, from where I was sitting. After all, that woman who jumped on the roof of our car tried to kidnap him, but she left you alone.

I cant believe someone would murder him. Its like something out of an awful movie. I dont want to believe its real. And even though we didnt know him that well, I cant believe hes gone.

I know. I think hes someone we would have really liked.

He reached over to touch her hand, but it went right through hers. He shook his head sadly.

How are you? she asked.

Im a little more tired than usual, but a lot has been going on. And Tan has all this energy, so when I get the body back Im usually exhausted and I pass out.

Im going to let you rest.

Dont go yet, he said, and she had never seen such a vulnerable look in his eyes before.

Ill stay till you sleep, okay?

He nodded, and lay back down. She lay next to him, and he shut his eyes. She watched as his breathing slowly grew even, and wished that she could kiss his eyelids. When at last she was satisfied that he was peacefully asleep, she let her mind return to the Globe.

Immediately she heard a knocking on the door, and she let Henry in. He stopped short, staring at Kantis side of the room. It was painted a blue so dark it was almost black, and was plastered with posters of Earth bands. Her bed was unmade, as if she had just left it that morning. He walked over to her desk and ran his hands over the cover of her journal, which had a pattern of skulls on it.

Shes going to be okay. I know it, Valerie said to him.

She has to be. I love her, you know.

Of course you do. So do I.

Thats not what I mean. Im in love with her. But I didnt have the guts to tell her. I thought when I was here on the Globe in person that I could finally do it.

She squeezed her brothers hand. You will tell her. And Im so happy for you. Being in love is the best.

Like you and Thai? he said with a questioning raise of an eyebrow. She blushed. Thought so.

All right, gang, lets get moving! Cyrus said, coming in the open door. I can see it falls to me to cheer this group up. Mission accepted!

Theres been a change of plans, she said. Henrys going to Elsinore.

Chapter 9.

It wasnt hard to convince Dulcea to let Henry visit Kanti in Elsinore. She was worried about her as well, and decided that she would escort him personally.

I cant take you all, though, Dulcea said regretfully. Her parents arent the most welcoming people, and Im not sure theyll welcome us. If its a crowd, theyll turn us away for sure.

Actually, I have to check in with Gideon. I promised that I would join the search for Jet, Valerie replied. She gave her brother a hug. Give Kanti my love.

I will, he said. With that, he and Dulcea headed to one of the rollercoasters that led to Elsinore. Valerie hoped he wasnt prone to motion sickness.

Ill walk you to the Knights Guild, Cyrus said.

They walked through the winding streets in companionable silence.

So whens the next party here? I still cant believe I missed the last one.

Cyrus laughed. Theres nothing for a few months, but in the summer, theres a bash that several guilds band together to throw. Its fun, with a play from the Actors Guild, and the entire Cooking Guild brings out the latest edible creations. But nothing beats the fireworks you missed. Youll have to wait till next year"no going back to Earth this time.

Its a promise. Though hopefully, a couple more people will be with us by then, she said, thinking that maybe Thai and Tan would be separated and able to come to the Globe in another year.

The friendly light in Cyruss eyes dimmed a little. So you and Thai are hooking up now, huh?

So what if we are? You dont sound happy for me.

Hes not right for you, Val.

What do you mean?

Right now, with the whole Tan thing, hes out of his element. Hes not a superstar like he was before all this started. But once he and Tan separate, hell go back to being the guy who gets the girl, is awarded the scholarship, wins the big game. What if he wants to leave all the magic and craziness behind him?

You mean, what if Im not enough for him.

Thats not what I meant. Hed be lucky to be with you. But he has a family on Earth, a life. You didnt have much to leave behind, and you still had to think about it before you came. Its going to be that much harder for Thai to say good-bye. I dont want you to get your heart broken.

She was shaken by his words. Maybe youre right. But Im not sure theres anything I can do about protecting my heart.

Were here, he said, stopping in front of the Guild of the Knights of Light.

She noticed the arch at the entrance, surprised that they had already arrived. Thanks for walking me.

Val Its okay. See you later, she said, walking underneath the arch to the outdoor part of the building. Suddenly weak, she sat down on a bench and watched the Knights training. She put her hand to her chest. Her heart was pounding. Something about Cyruss words rang true. What she had with Thai was too good to last.

That ring was much more gold when I saw you last, Gideon said, surprising her by sitting next to her on the bench.

The Laurel Circle was cold and dark on her thumb. I cant seem to keep the fear away for long. I used to have nothing to lose, but now theres so much.

You cannot always help the circumstances, but your reaction is entirely within your control. Fear is part of the air we breathe, but with the right mindset, expelling it can be as easy as exhaling.

I hope youre right. I want to start my training again right away. I dont have much magic right now, but it gives me an opportunity to practice my skills without it.

I am glad to hear you think of it that way. You may not always have your magic, but you will have your wits and your self-control.

Has there been any luck finding Jet?

No. Chrome is scouring the forest where he was last seen, but it seems to me that it is an exercise to keep him from panic. No more will be learned there. We need a fresh perspective.

A little fairy buzzed over to them, and she saw that it was Kellen, the Grand Master of the Guild. Youre back, excellent. We need our top recruits. But dont expect any preferential treatment from me. No maam. Youre just one of the newbies here.

Yes, sir, of course, she said, and he flew away.

Gideon shook his head. Despite how it may seem, he has talked of little else other than your return. He hopes you will officially join our guild.

She nodded. Im ready to commit. I think Ive always belonged here.

Then lets begin, he said.

He led her to a class forming beneath the arch, and she guessed from their ages that they were new recruits. She was older than most of them, but there were a boy and girl around her age.

Are you going to train to be the next Kellen? the girl, who had short blonde hair and stood several feet taller than she, asked.

Or Azra? a young fairy buzzed by her ear.

You think youre better than us? the boy who was her age asked gruffly. He had red hair and assumed a defensive stance, as if he was ready for her to insult him before she had even opened her mouth.

No, I"

Perhaps todays exercises would best be completed silently, Gideon interrupted. She smiled at him gratefully.

Gideon led them through several martial arts forms, and she grew calm as she found her natural rhythm. The Laurel Circle warmed up a little. Afterward, they each practiced with their chosen weapons, and Gideon led them through a series of defensive moves. She was surprised at how heavy Pathos felt without her magic aiding her. She promised herself that she would dedicate some time to building her physical strength.

After practice, she headed back to the dorm, sweaty but more at peace than she had been in a long time. This was what she was meant to do. Hadnt she yearned to protect people like the knights in the legend of King Arthur? She had thought she would be on the police force when she was on Earth, but being a part of the Guild of the Knights of Light was even better.

She saw the gray form of a lean wolf crossing The Horseshoe and heading toward her.

Chrome, Im so sorry about Jet, she said when he reached her side.

Images of Jet flickered through her mind, as Chrome communicated that he had left over two weeks ago on a special assignment in Dunsinane, and that he couldnt find his mates scent anywhere. The images were overlaid with his grief and panic, like viewing a scene through a colored lens. Chrome was convinced that Jet had been captured by someone powerful.

Were going to find him. I have an idea that might work. Henry is developing his powers, and some of them are psychic. Im going to see if he can sense Jets mind. After all, he found my mind even when it was a universe away.

Chrome brushed her leg with his body, and she understood that he was thanking her. Next, images of faces filled her mind, the people that Chrome was suspicious of spying for the Fractus and being a part of Jets disappearance.

Jets mission had been top secret, and only a few of the Grand Masters knew the details. Capturing such a powerful Conjuror as Jet would take knowledge, planning, and power. Whoever captured him had to have connections inside Arden who had given information about his whereabouts, strengths, and vulnerabilities. She didnt recognize most of Chromes suspects, but she saw Sanguina as well as Oberon, the current groundskeeper on the Globe who used to be one of the Fractus.

It cant be him. He left the Fractus for love, and someone capable of that doesnt turn evil overnight, she said, remembering the story of the woman who had turned the powerful Conjuror from a path of pride and obsession.

Despite her reminder of Oberons past, she could sense Chromes deep suspicion. He sent her images of Oberon when he was still with the Fractus, casting lightning from his hands from high on a mountain, then towering over Chrome and hitting him in the skull and knocking him unconscious.

The last image he sent was of Oberon with Sanguina. Sanguina was younger, and the two stood together, laughing. She was shaken by what she had seen.

They were friends? she asked. Several more images flicked through her mind of the two of them, sometimes with a third woman with tan skin and dark hair tied back in a tight ponytail. This was Oberons love, Adelita. Valerie recognized her by the sword she carried"Pathos. Adelita had been the last person to wield it before Valerie. She touched it absently, checking that it was still at her side where it belonged.

I see what you mean. Thank you for sharing this with me. He brushed her side again, and then turned and headed into the woods.

Chapter 10.

The next few weeks went by quickly. Valerie communicated with Henry every day through an enchanted mirror that hung in Dulceas room. Kanti was unchanged, and Henry was pale, but he still had hope in his eyes. Valerie trained intensively with the Knights, and her magic slowly began to return, like a puddle in the core of her being. She couldnt get used to being stopped on the streets by people who wanted to meet her, but at the Knights Guild, they were beginning to adjust to her and she wasnt constantly in the spotlight.

Every night she visited Thai, and even though she couldnt touch him, it was the best part of her day.

What youve got to do is interview Chromes suspects, he suggested one night. Youre really intuitive when it comes to understanding people. Maybe interacting with them will give you some clues.

She shuddered a little. My biggest suspect is Sanguina. But I dont want to go near her.

I dont get it. Why are Azra and the other Guild Masters even letting her live in Arden?

She used to be very powerful in the Guardians of the Boundary Guild"theyre the ones who defend the barrier between Earth and the Globe, she explained. Supposedly shes being very useful in helping to block any Fractus who are projecting to Earth. But I think the real reason is that everyone feels guilty for abandoning her after Zunya turned her into a vampyre. And now that shes back to her old self, they want to let bygones be bygones.