"In her favorite oak tree by the pasture. She was doing so well until..." He gave me a sardonic grin.

"I know. I'll find her."

I stood at the bottom of the oak, feeling as if I'd been run over by a horse. "Mother?" I called.

"Yelena! Come up! Come up where it's safe!"

No place is safe, I thought. The events of the last two days began to overwhelm me. Too many problems, too much riding on me. My encounter with Alea proved that, even when I felt confident that I could take care of a situation, I really didn't know what I was doing. If Alea had checked me for weapons, I would be standing ankle deep in my own blood.

"Come down. I need you," I cried. I sank to the ground and wrapped my arms around my legs as tears poured from my eyes.

With a rustle and creak of branches, my mother appeared beside me. I transformed into a six-year-old child, flung myself into her arms and sobbed. She comforted me, helped me to my room, gave me a handkerchief and a glass of water. Tucking me into bed, she kissed me on my forehead.

When she went to leave, I grabbed her hand. "Please stay."

Mother smiled, took off her cloak, and lay next to me. I fell asleep in her arms.

The next morning she brought me breakfast in bed. I protested about the extravagance, but she stopped me. "I have fourteen years of mothering to catch up on. Indulge me."

Even though the plate was loaded with food, I ate every bit and drained the tea. "Sweet cakes are my favorite."

"I know," she replied with a smug smile. "I asked one of the servers in the dining hall, and she remembered that every time they cooked sweet cakes your eyes would light up." She took the empty tray. "You should go back to sleep." Perl went into the other room.

I could have easily complied, but I needed to find out if the others had discovered who was missing. Unable to stay in bed, I decided to get a quick bath before finding Bain.

"Come to our suite when you're done at the bathhouse," Perl said. "Once your father told me what's been going on with this killer and the Curare, I thought of something that might help you. It may have aided you yesterday," she huffed. "I'm not a delicate sapling. You and Esau don't need to keep things from me. And that includes Valek." She put her hands on her hips, wrinkling the smooth lines of her blue-green dress.

"How-" I sputtered.

"I'm not deaf. The dining hall buzzed with conversation about you and Valek. And Valek's escape from Cahil!" She put a hand to her throat. But then she took a deep breath.

"I know I tend to overreact about some things and go running for the trees." She smiled ruefully. "Valek has the most horrible reputation, but I trust you. When you have some time, you need to educate me about him."

"Yes, Mother," I said and also promised to stop by their suite after my bath.

It was the middle of the morning so the bathhouse was almost empty. Washing, I thought about how much I would tell my mother about Valek. When I finished drying off, I changed and headed toward the guest suite.

Dax intercepted me. His usual jovial face was taut with worry, and the dark smudges under his eyes made it look as if he hadn't slept in a while.

"Have you seen Gelsi?" he asked.

"Not since the New Beginnings feast." So much had happened since that night. The semester had not gone as I had imagined. Nothing since coming to Sitia had gone as I had imagined. "Wasn't she working on some special project for Master Bloodgood?"

"Yes. She was experimenting with the Bellwood plant. But I haven't seen her in days and I can't find her anywhere."

His words struck me like Alea's knife. I gasped.

"What?" His green eyes widened in alarm.

"Plant? Where? With who?" The questions tumbled from my mouth.

"I already checked the greenhouses many times. She worked with one of the gardeners. Maybe we could ask him?"

Him. My heart twisted. I knew who Gelsi was with.

32.

"ME? BUT I'VE NEVER LINKED with Gelsi." Dax's drawn face took on a wild fearful expression.

I had taken Dax back to my rooms. We sat together on the couch. "Don't worry. I've only worked with her once, but you've known her for a year. I'll find her through you." I hoped. "Relax," I instructed. I took his hand in mine. "Think of her." Finding a thread of magic, I reached toward his mind.

A horrible vision of Gelsi, bloody and terrified, filled my mind. "Dax, don't imagine where she might be. Think of her at the New Beginnings feast."

The image transformed into a smiling young lady wearing a soft green gown. I felt Dax's thrill when he held her hand and guided her while they danced. I sent my magic to Gelsi, trying to see Dax from her mind.

She gazed up at him. They had always danced together at the feast, but this time felt different. Her skin tingled where he had touched her, and a warmth pulsed in her chest.

Gelsi, I called, pulling her into the memory.

What a lovely evening, she thought. How things have changed. Dax seemed distant after that night. Preoccupied.

Gelsi, where are you? I asked.

Shame flared. I've been a fool. No one must know. Please tell no one. Fear trembled through her mind.

You were deceived by a cunning sorcerer. No one will hold that against you. Where are you?

He will punish me.

She tried to pull away. I showed her Dax's concern for her. His hunt through the Keep. Don't let your captor win, I pleaded.

Gelsi showed me a bare room. She was naked and tied to metal spikes that had been driven into the wooden floor. Strange symbols had been painted on the floor and walls. Pain throbbed from between her legs and the multiple cuts along her arms and legs burned. He hadn't needed to drug her with Curare.

I loved him, she said. I gave myself to him.

Instead of the wonderful loving experience she had expected, Ferde tied her down, beat her and raped her. Then he bled her, collecting the blood in an earthen bowl.

Show me where you are, I instructed.

Beyond the room was the living area and outside I could see a courtyard with a white jade sculpture of fifteen horses.

Have faith, I said. We'll be there.

He'll know. He has surrounded the neighborhood with a magical shield, he knows when someone passes through and if he feels threatened, he'll complete the ritual.

Doesn't he need to wait until the full moon tonight?

No.

The note left by Alea had originally set the exchange for the full moon so everyone had not only assumed Ferde sent the note, but that the phase of the moon was critical for the ritual.

He had to move many times, Gelsi said. I had thought it exciting. I didn't know he was the one the Masters were searching for. He led me to believe he was on a secret mission for the Master Magicians.

We'll find a way, I promised.

Hurry.

I withdrew my awareness and sat back. Dax stared at me in horror, he had been able to see and hear our conversation.

"She will need you when this is over," I told him.

"We need to tell the Masters-"

"No." My mind raced through options.

"But he's strong. You heard Gelsi. He has a shield," Dax said.

"All the more reason to go alone. They have been searching for him and he knows them. I think I can get through undetected."

"How?"

"There's no time to explain. But Gelsi will need you close by. Can you meet me in the market in an hour?"

"Of course."

I jumped up and started gathering supplies.

Dax hesitated at the door. "Yelena?"

I looked at him.

"What happens if you don't stop him?" Fear shone in his green eyes.

"Then we find Valek. Otherwise, Sitia will be Ferde's."

Dax swallowed his fright and nodded before leaving. I packed my equipment and changed my clothes. Dressed in a plain brown tunic and pants I would blend in with the regular citizens of the Citadel. Covering my disguise with my cloak, I stopped at my parent's suite on the way out.

Leif sat with them in the living room. I ignored him. "Father, do you have those extra pills?" I asked, hoping he knew I wanted the Theobroma.

He nodded in understanding and went to retrieve them. While I waited, Mother remembered her little invention she had told me about. She handed me a strange device made of tubes and rubber and explained how to work it.

"Just in case," she said.

"This is great," I said. "You were right about it being useful."

She beamed. "That's what every mother wants to hear."

Leif had said nothing, but I could feel his penetrating stare as if he tasted my intentions.

Esau handed me the pills. "Are you coming to lunch with us?"

"No. I have something I need to do. I'll catch up with you later," I said, giving my father a hug and my mother a kiss on her cheek.

A queasy feeling rolled in my stomach. Perhaps I should tell the Master Magicians about Ferde and Gelsi? After all, it had been only pure chance that saved me from Alea. I was still discovering what I could do with my magic. And now that I had been expelled, would I be able to fully explore my potential?

My mother stopped me just past the door.

"Here," she said, handing me my fire amulet. "I think you need this. Remember what you endured to win it."

I opened my mouth to protest, but she shook her head, "I want it back." She squeezed me in a tight hug for a moment.

Examining the scarlet prize in the sunlight, I marveled at Perl's empathy. I tucked the amulet into my pocket and set a brisk pace for the Citadel.

After I had passed the Keep's gate, I heard pounding footsteps behind me. I whirled, drawing my bow. Leif halted a few feet away. His machete hung from his belt, but he made no move to grab it.

"Not now, Leif," I said, turning, but he clasped my shoulder and spun me around to face him.

"I know where you're going," he said.

"Bully for you." I shrugged his hand off. "Then you know time is of the essence. Go back to the Keep." I started to walk.

"If I do, I'll tell the Masters what you're doing."

"Truly? You're not very good at telling."

"This time I won't hesitate."

Seeing the stubborn set to his broad shoulders, I stopped. "What do you want?"

"To come along."

"Why?"

"You'll need me."

"Considering how helpful you were in the jungle fourteen years ago, I think I'm better off on my own." I spat the words at him.

He cringed, but the obstinacy remained in his face. "Either include me in your plans, or I'll follow you and ruin them."

I clamped down on my sudden rage. I didn't have time for this. "Fine, but let me warn you that you're going have to let me inside your mind in order for you to get through Ferde's shield."

His face paled, but he nodded and fell into step with me as I hurried to the market. Dax waited there. I left Leif with him and hunted for Fisk. He helped a woman barter for a bolt of cloth, but he finished as soon as he recognized me.