"Reg? What the hell is going on?"

"Where's your phone, Evie?"

"My phone?" she repeated, looking perplexed. "In my bag."

"Can I see it?" He held out a hand.

She dug inside the bag. "Reg, I've got a party to go to and everyone's telling me you're acting like a loony, which they seem to think is pretty normal, but I don't. What are you doing up here and why are you texting me?"

He flicked his fingers, beckoning for the phone.

She handed it over, not seeming to notice how rude his gesture was. "Now what is this about? I'm running la-"

Corbel flung the phone off the roof.

She stared at him dumbfounded for a blink. "Reg!" she shrieked. "Are you mad?"

"Apparently."

He knew Evie was not prone to histrionics. As he watched, she calmed herself down. "All right. You have my attention," she said. "Will you tell me what this is about?"

He nodded. "Here, will you share this with me?" He held out a can of her favorite soft drink, knowing she would feel obliged to drink it.

She took it and sipped but he could see it was only to be polite. He opened another can for himself and sipped too, hoping to encourage her.

"Cheers," he began. "Do you know today's my birthday?" he lied.

Evie looked momentarily pained. "No, I didn't. Oh, Reg, I-no, wait. That doesn't make sense. We've always celebrated your birthday in September."

He smiled sadly. "That's because you chose September when I said I didn't know when my birthday was. But that was a fib. I'm sorry about that. It's actually today."

"So here's cheers, Evie. Wish me luck." He clinked cans, watched her drink again, a long draft this time. Fortunately, her nervousness was making her thirsty.

"Evie, do you remember earlier today when I mentioned there might come a time when I ask something strange of you?"

"That was only a few hours ago, Reg. I could hardly forget."

He nodded. "I know you're angry-"

"I'm not angry. I'm perplexed, confused, perhaps even disturbed. I'm only angry about the loss of my phone. And that's fine because you can pay for-"

"Do you trust me?"

She took a breath, not showing offense at being cut off once again. "Should I doubt you?"

"That's not what I asked."

"It depends what you ask of me, then," she said, glowering at him. "I want to understand what this strange behavior is about."

"This is our past and our future."

She regarded him gravely. "That explains nothing. You're talking in riddles. I said I want to understand."

"You will, if you trust me. Look up, Evie. See how the sky is darkening?"

She looked up and back again at him in silence.

"In a few minutes it will be night and too late."

She frowned again. "Too late for what?"

"For us."

"For us? For us to what?"

"To return."

"You've lost me, Reg," she said in a stern, far more irritated voice than he'd ever heard from her previously. "I have to go."

"I've never lost you, Evie. I've always been here, protecting and watching over you. I would never lose you."

She ground her jaw and he could see her thinking over everything he had said, presumably wondering whether she should call the fire department or mental ser vices. "Why are we up here, Reg?" she asked.

"Because it's tall enough to give the magic time to work after we jump."

She stepped back, horror ghosting across her face. "Jump?"

"You mustn't be frightened."

"Why not? You're frightening me!"

"Have I ever given you cause for fright before?"

She shook her head.

"Have I ever struck you as insane?"

"You're the most sane person I know."

"I haven't changed. Evie, we have but minutes. You need to make a decision. Take my hand and follow me. I am going to take you back to where you come from...to where we both come from. Remember our conversation about how we always feel as though we don't belong, but that somehow we belong to each other?" She nodded, blinking. "That's because neither of us belong here. This was a haven...a place to hide. Nothing more. Your father-and I don't mean the man who adopted you, but your real blood father-sent me to be your champion, to take care of you always. Now it's time. We must return. We are needed."

"I don't know what you're talking about." She staggered slightly and he leaped to her, offering a steadying hand. "Reg, I feel dizzy."

"I can see that. Don't worry, I'm here. I've always been here."

"I think I'm going to be sick. Did you do this? Did you drug me?" she asked, making all the right connections, injuring him with the accusation in her look.

"I had to be sure."

"Are you going to kill me?" she said, leaning harder against him now as the drug worked.

He tried not to show how much that comment hurt him. "No, precious one. I would never harm a hair on your head." He lifted her into his arms. "Hold on tight."

She grabbed his neck. "I'm tired and frightened. Everything feels strange. It feels like electricity in the air, as though a storm is brewing. It's crawling over my skin." Her voice sounded wan and confused.

Reg climbed onto the ledge of the building. He had to trust it now; trust that the magic Evie could feel swirling around them, reaching for them, coaxing them, was real. "Hold tight, Evie. I'm taking you home."

"Home? Where's home?"

"Penraven, my princess," he murmured into her hair. And then, holding her tightly, he stepped off the roof.

Glossary.

CHARACTERS THE VALISAR REALM.

Royalty King Cormoron: The first Valisar king.

King Brennus the 8th: 8th king of the Valisars.

King Darros the 7th: 7th Valisar king. Father of Brennus.

Queen Iselda: Wife of Brennus. She is the daughter of a Romean prince from Romea in Galinsea. Comes from the line of King Falza.

Prince Leonel (Leo): First-born son of Brennus and Iselda.

Prince Piven: Adopted son of Brennus and Iselda.

The De Vis Family Legate Regor De Vis: Right-hand of the king. Father to Gavriel and Corbel.

Eril De Vis: Deceased wife of Legate De Vis.

Gavriel (Gav) De Vis: First-born twin brother of Corbel. He is the champion of the Cohort.

Corbel (Corb) De Vis: Twin brother of Gavriel.

Other Cook Faisal: Male cook of the castle.

Father Briar: The priest of Brighthelm.

Freath: Queen Iselda's aide and right-hand man.

Genrie: House hold servant.

Greven: Lily's father. Is a leper.

Hana: Queen Iselda's maid.

Jynes: The castle librarian (steward).

Lilyan (Lily): Daughter of Greven.

Morkom: Prince Leo's manservant.

Physic Maser: The queen's physic.

Sarah Flarty: A girlfriend of Gavriel.

Sesaro: Famous sculptor in Penraven.

Tashi: Sesaro's daughter.

Tatie: Kitchen hand.

Tilly: Palace servant.

The Penraven Army Brek: A soldier.

Commander Jobe: Penraven's army commander.

Captain Drate: Penraven's army captain.

Del Faren: An archer and traitor.

From outside Penraven, but still in the Set Alys Kenric: A resident of Vorgaven.

Claudeo: A famous Set paint er.

Corin: Daughter of Clovis.

Danre: Second son of the Vorgaven Royals.

Delly Bartel: Resident of Vorgaven.

Elka: From Davarigon-a giantess.

Jed Roxburgh: Wealthy land own er of Vorgaven.

Leah: Wife of Clovis.

Princess Arrania: A Dregon princess.

Tomas Dole: A boy from Berch.