A Wolf in the Fold

We have to find him, Jessica demanded as soon as the magic dissipated. She wrenched her arm free of her would-be savior’s grasp. We have to find him and bring him home.

Steevon, still controlling Evan, shook his head, a slow measured movement. I won’t risk you to save the Protector; he wouldn’t want me to.

I need your help. Jessica continued as if she hadn’t heard the headman’s words. The Amulet has been sealed and I have no magic of my own, but if I can find Joshua, will you take me to him?

I will not endanger you, nor will I allow you to endanger yourself, but, Steevon spoke holding up one hand to silence the protest he knew Jessica was preparing, I will do all I can to help you find the Protector and free him, he lied easily.

Thank you, Jessica breathed as she closed her eyes, concentrating on the bond that connected her to her husband. It was still strong. The Guardian could tell he was sleeping, and, through the bond, she could see his dreams—nightmares really—of loss and fear, but she couldn’t discover his location.

The Guardian forced herself to turn away from the nightmares, to remain calm. She had to be patient. Eventually Joshua would wake; and when he did, she would know where he was and she would have Evan take her to him.

Rane and Sherry stepped forward catching Jessica’s gaze and pulling her attention reluctantly to them.

Jessica, Rane didn’t—, Sherry faltered uncertainly, shaking her head.

Jessica waved an impatient hand at her little sister. I don’t have time for this right now, she said, her words harsher than she intended.

Rane dropped down to kneel before his Queen and Sherry followed suit. He was careful to keep his eyes averted from Jessica’s. Guardian, forgive me.

The Guardian sighed. Oh, Rane, what am I to do with you?

I’ll accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate, Rane spoke, his eyes resolutely on the floor.

No, wait— Sherry interrupted. Jessica, please, you must listen to Rane’s side of the story.

The Guardian shook her head wearily. I’ll be happy to listen to anything you wish to tell me, but not now, Sherry. There is something else that requires my immediate attention, she finished, thinking of Joshua. Rane, look at me.

The young man obediently lifted his face and met his Queen’s gaze.

I don’t have any desire to send you to the dungeon, so if I confine you to your rooms until I have time to look into this matter, will you promise me that you’ll stay there without causing any trouble?

Rane nodded. I will, highness. I promise.

Jessica could hear the utter despair in his voice and was sorry for his pain. Good enough.

So, basically, he’s under house arrest, Sherry countered angrily. Jessica, you know him, you know his character. If you think about it, you’ll realize that he was forced to do the things he did, Sherry paused as she held her sister’s eyes. I thought the Guardian was supposed to right all wrongs.

This Guardian no longer has an Amulet to aid her in righting any wrongs. And that is a direct result of him, Jessica spoke, pointing one finger at Rane. I believe that under the circumstances, I am being extremely generous.

But Jessica…

Rane touched Sherry’s arm drawing her attention. Leave it alone, Sherry.

Fine, then I’m coming with you, Sherry spoke, standing and moving towards the door as if she were getting a head start in case anyone tried to stop her. I’ll consider myself under arrest too, since this is as much my fault as it is his.

That’s not necessary, Rane spoke softly. In fact, it’s probably not even wise.

It isn’t your choice, Rane. I am coming with you, she growled as she touched the door, opening it, and then walked out into the hallway without another word.

Rane stood and bowed deeply before his Queen before following Sherry. Steevon sauntered over to the door, watching as the couple moved down the hallway. He was careful not to show the pleasure he was feeling. When he turned, he found Jessica watching him closely.

I need to speak with you, she said.

M’lady, he spoke, dropping down onto one knee before the Guardian. He wasn’t certain if she would complain again about his interference or if she would thank him, as she should, for his saving her. He prepared himself for either possibility.

At the risk of sounding ungrateful, can you explain how you knew where to find me? she asked.

Steevon knew he was showing surprise on Evan’s face while he struggled to regain his composure. Please, don’t be angry, Highness, but— he stammered for a moment trying to find a believable lie, when I was with you in your room, I placed a small enchantment on you. I only did so because I feared you might leave without telling me.

He swallowed, contemplating all that he must tie into his fabrication. It took me longer than anticipated to find you, for it was such a small enchantment, and you were a great distance away. He bowed his head. Forgive my deception, but it did work out for the best.

For the best, Jessica repeated in disbelief. My husband is gone, taken by the witch to whom I once showed mercy, and I don’t think its mercy she intends to show him.

The Guardian took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. She could feel Joshua inside her head as he began to stir and she was suddenly desperate to be finished with this. You will confine yourself to your room. When I have need of you, I will send for you, and when I do, will you come? Are you willing to help in whatever way I ask?

Steevon felt a wave of anger sweep over him. He wanted to grab the girl and shake her, to shout that she was ungrateful and unworthy. Forcing the anger from his face, he spoke, using the gentle man’s stolen face and voice to convey the feelings he knew the Guardian would want to hear.

I will always do whatever you ask of me, m’lady. He stood, and, without waiting for a response to his generous words, he left the room.

***

Sherry waited for Rane to open the door to the apartment that he had shared with his family. But Rane only stood, his hands still at his sides. Sherry, you should stay with the Guardian. She could use a friend right now.

Open the door, Rane. I’m coming with you.

Rane knew Sherry well enough to know that once her mind was made up, she couldn’t be swayed. He could feel the angry blue magic in his mind, screaming at him to make her obey. Instead, he slammed one hand against the door and realized just as he did so, that his blue magic could no more open this door than it could open any other door in the entire castle. His anger flared anew and the magic erupted like a ball of blue flame into the door, throwing it open and leaving a splintered smoking heap in its place.

Sherry jumped, taking an involuntary step backwards before catching herself. She growled under her breath; she would not be afraid of Rane, she would not!

Rane felt more than saw Sherry move beside him. He cursed angrily before pulling his magic back.

Stupid door, he growled. He pressed his hand against the ruined remains. Repair. The magic exploded again, slamming recreated pieces of the door together with such force that, by the time he pulled his magic back, there was only a smoldering twisted heap that could never be confused for a door. He growled something under his breath that Sherry was glad she couldn’t hear. We’ll use your apartment.

Sherry moved to her door ahead of Rane and quickly opened it with a touch. Rane walked through the doorway and dropped down onto the couch, his body rigid with anger and some other emotion that Sherry couldn’t read.

Sherry stood with her arms folded across her chest. When you’re feeling better, we are going to talk about this,

About what? Rane asked. He could feel the rage inside of him fighting to be free, knowing it was not his own didn’t really help. He stood suddenly, facing her.

About you staying with me when I don’t want you here? About you abandoning the Guardian when she needs you the most? Which one, Sherry? Tell me so I can prepare myself for our conversation.

Sherry turned slowly on her heels to look at Rane; the pain in her eyes twisted his heart into knots and hushed the screaming anger into a quiet growl. She held his gaze in wounded silence for a full minute before speaking.

I know that you have given up everything you ever loved or valued for me. I know as well, that you no longer love me. Be that as it may, I will not now, nor will I ever abandon you, because I still love you. I can’t help it, I always will.

She turned on silent feet, and walked down the hall further into the apartment.

Is that what you think? Rane asked, his voice following her down the hallway. Her step faltered and he could hear her breathing, ragged with emotion. That I don’t love you anymore?

I don’t blame you, Sherry spoke, her voice quiet, gentle, as she stood facing away from the man she loved.

Rane tried to breathe through the pain in his chest. He closed his eyes, letting the air escape in a sudden rush from his lips. He wasn’t strong enough, or perhaps he wasn’t brave enough to let Sherry go on believing that she was no longer loved. He moved towards her, taking her shoulders in both of his hands and slowly turned her to face him. The tears on her face tore at his heart. He lifted her face with gentle fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze.

How can you believe that I could ever stop loving you?

Sherry shrugged. You gave up everything you ever loved for me, everything that really mattered. A sob caught in her throat. How could I expect anything else?

Rane tenderly wiped the tears from her damp cheek. I do love you, Sherry McCall. I always will. But I am no longer the same man you fell in love with. It would not be fair to expect you to stay with me, not now. This anger, this terrible overpowering rage… he shook his head. It’s not even—it’s really not safe for you to be with me.

She caught his large hand in her small one and, pressing his palm to her mouth, she kissed it with soft damp lips. You are the man that I love no matter what color your magic, no matter what you have or haven’t done. I have given my heart to you and I will give it to no other. It’s yours, like it or not.

Rane knew he should walk away, should do what he believed was best for Sherry, but the thought of losing her was unbearable.

May the gods forgive me, he whispered under his breath as he bent down and captured her lips with his own. Sherry melted into his arms, pressing against him, her heart thumping wildly in her chest.

***

Steevon stomped down the quiet hallway, his footsteps echoing noisily off the stone walls. He was so angry that he very nearly tromped right past the shattered door. It was not the door itself, but the feel of the blue magic that had destroyed it that caught his attention. He stared at the savaged door and a sudden flare of warning went off in his head. This boy might just prove to be trouble after all. He reached out and touched the smashed remains of the sagging door, feeling of the magic that had been used, before turning and continuing down the hallway to his own room. His mind returned to the frustrating Guardian. Did she think him a disobedient youth who could be restricted from activities if he displeased her? If so, she was about to learn that she was wrong.

***

Jessica watched her apartment door close behind Evan before sagging forward, her eyes closed as she fought the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her. The Guardian tried to concentrate on the delicate thread of magic that bound her to Joshua. She staggered into her bedroom and slumped down onto her bed. She was so exhausted; it felt as if the mattress and pillow were a physical force wrapping her tenderly within their embrace. She had to find Joshua.

The minutes seemed to drag by, the time extended in her fevered mind. Just for a moment, she whispered as she succumbed to the call of her weariness and lay back down onto the bed. Then I’ll go find Joshua.

She meant those words, meant them with all of her heart. But it would be far longer than a few moments before she would open her eyes again, and longer still until she went in search of her missing husband.

Chapter Two

Joshua felt Maura transport him from the house in Planthill. As soon as his feet were planted on firm ground once more, he pulled away from her trying to see where it was she had brought him. Before he could catch the smallest glimpse, he felt Maura’s magic strike him full in the face.

Sleep now, she commanded as his legs folded beneath him. The last thing the Protector heard before being swept away in a wave of color and sound was Maura’s voice. We’ll have plenty of time to play later.

Joshua felt the current of dreams pull him under and tow him away from reality, no doubt a gift from the woman who now held him prisoner.

***

Maura sat beside the young man who had invaded her world and stripped her of so many pleasures. Blue magic slipped from her fingers and wrapped itself around Joshua’s wrists and ankles, binding him. Maura watched him closely. What would it be like to be his woman, to have him love her as much as he loved the Guardian? She stared at his handsome face, his curly blond hair, and realized that no matter how striking his beauty, he could never satiate her needs. He could never be ruthless and cruel, not like Steevon. Suddenly, she missed the man she had spent so long tormenting.

Maura ran one hand over Joshua’s rough cheek. Sleep now, Protector, she whispered as glittering fingers caressed him. It will be your turn soon enough.

Maura tested the bands that held the Protector’s wrists. They were not necessary as of yet, but they would prove useful in the near future. She looked up at Wessin who stood several feet away. Laurel and Tye lay unconscious at his feet.

Wake them, she spoke imperiously.

Wessin pulled a bucket of water from out of the air with glittering fingers and dumped it over Laurel and Tye’s heads. The water ran away tinged red with blood as the couple shot upright coughing and gasping in shock.

Good morning, Maura said cheerily. It’s time for your part in our little game.

Tye clambered to his feet and took a step forward, maneuvering himself in front of Laurel. We want nothing to do with you or your games. Either kill us or set us free.

Mmm, I don’t think so, Maura smiled. Steevon has already tried to kill you twice. I find I’m rather curious as to just how many lives you have left. And you, she said, looking at Laurel, you’re guilty only by association. You should’ve picked your friends better.

Where’s the Guardian? Tye asked as he reached up and touched the sore spot on the back of his head. He winced and pulled his hand away, damp with his own blood.

She’s safe, Maura said with a malicious grin. Although, thanks to Rane, she no longer wields the power of the talisman.

You lie, Laurel cried. My brother would never have done anything to hurt the Guardian, not of his own free will. You did something to him.

Think what you will, Laurel, but you did witness the deed. Rane sealed the talisman of his own free will, of that there can be no doubt. The good news is he won’t have to live long with his shame; the Guardian will surely have him executed right away.

Laurel felt a knot of fear grip her heart.

Laurel, don’t listen to the witch, Tye hissed. Rane would never intentionally betray the Guardian.

Name calling? Maura asked, watching the small man. How very grown up. Your intellect is matched only by your stature.

Tye only stared at her, hatred burning in his eyes.

My brother is no traitor, and Jessica would never believe him capable of such treachery, Laurel spoke.

Are you sure? The dethroned Queen pressed. The Guardian no longer wields the magic of the Amulet, and it was your brother who sealed the magic away from her.

You liar, Laurel half cried, shifting her away from Tye as she raised her glittering hands. She gathered a large ball of power and slung it at Maura.

Maura batted the fireball away negligently. Sighing, she shook her head. I’m tired of the name calling. Let’s move on. She nodded to Wessin, who used his magic to erect a partition between the two prisoners.

No, Tye cried turning and pressing his hands against the wall between him and Laurel. Leave her alone.

For the first time since she had known him, Laurel heard fear in Tye’s voice. She gathered her magic up again and enveloped herself in a cocoon of power.

Maura looked amused as she called to her own magic and tossed a fireball of blue power unconcernedly towards the girl. The shield shimmered, and nearly disappeared, but Laurel reinforced it just in time. She risked a glance in Tye’s direction. Wessin had him, blue magic binding his wrists and ankles. She wished she could have sheltered him with her shield, but the reality was that it was very unlikely her magic was strong enough to protect her let alone anyone else.

A second blast of blue magic struck the shield, forcing Laurel back several steps.

This is pointless, Maura growled. You know it’s only a matter of time until you will kneel before me and beg for mercy.

Never, Laurel spat. I have seen your mercy, and I prefer death.

Wessin finished with the cords. He smiled wolfishly as he turned his attention away from his prisoner and edged towards the women. Tye waited until the other man was an arm’s length away, then he bent down and lifted a rock from the ground. He rolled it around in his hand, getting the feel of it, measuring its weight. It wasn’t hard to throw a rock with your wrists bound. Just like taking out old man Kamir’s windows, he whispered as he took aim and chucked the rock with enough force that, when it struck the unsuspecting man, it knocked him flat on his face-- and he didn’t get back up.

Maura stopped her advancement on Laurel and stared at the unconscious man on the ground. You have got to be kidding, she growled as she looked at the stone beside the body.

Tye was just lifting a second rock when Maura turned to face him.

You don’t really think I’m afraid of a rock, do you? she asked before flicking her finger in Tye’s direction. He was thrown across the cave, the rock ripped from his fingers as he slammed against the cavern wall.

Laurel moved quickly, flinging a red bolt at Maura, desperately hoping to catch her captor unaware. The magic struck Maura squarely in the chest and knocked her back several feet. She nearly tripped over a rock formation behind her.

Tye slipped from the magic’s grasp and landed on the floor of the cave with a heavy thud, groaning as his back and head struck stone.

Are you all right? Laurel cried as she raced towards him, throwing up a red shield to separate both of them from the dethroned Queen.

Yeah, great, thanks for the help, he said, rubbing the goose egg on the back of his head with bound hands.

I just saved us, Laurel cried incredulously.

Yeah, I see that, Tye said, struggling to his feet.

Maura stood with her magic pulsing around her, her patience gone. She threw a ball of fire that shattered the shield and knocked Laurel back, tossing her three feet through the air. The second shot came so quickly after the first that Tye didn’t even see it coming before it lifted him up and slammed him into the wall of the cave; his feet dangled five feet from the ground.

You, she spat pointing at Tye, wait there until I have need of you. And you, she said, lifting Laurel with a tendril of blue magic, submit to your punishment with what little grace you possess.

Laurel shook her head, trying to scatter the stars that danced in her vision.

Maura crossed the distance between them in ten quick steps. She struck Laurel across the face, an open-handed slap that snapped the girl’s head back. Then Maura pressed glittering hands on the girl’s shoulders, forcing her to her knees.

Pledge me your fealty, Maura growled, as her hands tightened on Laurel’s shoulders.

Blue magic tore through Laurel as she shook her head. No, she gasped. Never!

That’s just what I was hoping you’d say, Maura purred before unleashing her magic into the kneeling girl.

Laurel gasped at the assault while she struggled to swallow a cry of pain. Maura’s magic found what it sought and then, Laurel did scream.

Maura pulled slowly, dragging the magic, one tiny tendril at a time.

Laurel tried to pull away, but Maura only held her tighter, the magic pressing her cruelly into the rocks beneath her. Laurel bit down on her scream, her arms wrapped around her middle, as if they were the only thing holding her body together. Tears ran down her cheeks and moans of agony were torn from her lips.

Leave her alone, witch, Tye stormed, struggling against his bonds. Let her go or I swear I’ll kill you! Do you hear me? I’m going to kill you!

Maura ignored his threats.

When every scrap of Laurel’s magic was gone, Maura released her hold on the woman and watched as she crumpled to the ground. Laurel lifted trembling hands and looked at them as she struggled to call forth what was no longer hers to command. She could feel the empty spot in her chest where the magic had always resided. The knowledge that her gentle red magic had been stolen by Maura, to be subverted by the dark power’s evil desires, tore at her heart.

She lay trembling from her ordeal as the first sob escaped her lips. As if a floodgate had opened, the tears flowed and she lay on the ground, sobbing out her sorrow and loss.

You will wait here. Maura spoke, running her hand down the girl’s back. Laurel was unaware of the spell that had just been placed on her, of the man still hanging on the wall opposite her. She was unaware of everything but the overwhelming sense of loss.

Maura watched her for a moment. She remembered when she herself had cried after her magic had been drained away and stolen from her. Maura had shed many such tears in the days immediately following. She took a deep, satisfied breath. Revenge was rather—therapeutic. She turned from the girl and looked up at Tye. Come to me.

Tye felt his body leave the wall and fly across the room before he was dropped to his feet to stand in front of the witch. He staggered slightly before catching his balance. Maura glanced down at his feet as he shifted them. She knew what was running through his mind. Without a word, she bound his feet to the ground.

When Tye tried to kick Maura, he found that he could not. He was bound as tightly to the ground beneath him as if he were one of the stalagmites that littered the cave floor. He lifted eyes that were filled with hatred to meet the dark Queen’s gaze.

Comfortable? she asked, laughing at the emotion that flashed in his eyes. So, you saw? she asked, changing the subject. You watched as I tore her magic from her. I—hurt—her. Now—how exactly are you going to kill me? She smirked, tauntingly. Go ahead, take your best shot.

She spread her arms wide, exposing her body as she spoke. Maura watched him, her face full of dark humor for a full moment before dropping her arms back to her side. Is that it? After all your blustering, all you can do to defend her is throw words at me? She laughed at the anger on his face. Maura slowly lifted her hands; she watched Tye’s face closely as she pressed her hands to his chest. She felt his body stiffen beneath her touch.

Tye gritted his teeth in determination, preparing himself for what he knew was coming.

Maura smiled. We’re going to have such fun! Suddenly her magic exploded into him with unabashed delight. He gasped, sagging until the magic caught him and pulled him upright. Tye ground his teeth, refusing to cry out for this witch’s pleasure.

Maura watched him closely; he was pretty good. She called her magic back, giving him a moment to catch his balance, letting him think the torment was over before throwing her power into him once more.

Tye was true to his resolve. He didn’t cry out, not even when she sent her magic into him the third, fourth, or fifth time. Then, mercifully, the darkness of oblivion overtook him.

When Tye passed out from the pain, Maura let him fall to the ground at her feet. She trailed cool fingers down one cheek. You are too much fun to kill, she whispered. Turning, she left him lying unconscious on the ground as she moved over to Wessin. A large bucket of water appeared over the mercenary’s head just before he was doused in the liquid.

Get up, you incompetent fool, she growled at him as he sat sputtering and gasping from the shock of the cold water.

I’m sorry, m’lady, he said, struggling to his feet and managing a quick bow as he wiped his face with a wet sleeve.

Shut up, Maura snapped, glaring at the man. Go stand by the girl. And this time, watch them both. Do you think you can manage him now that he’s unconscious?

Wessin understood that he was dangerously close to losing his long sought after reward. Yes, m’lady, he murmured before bowing deeply and moving quickly to stand beside Laurel.

Maura swallowed her irritation, reminding herself that soon she would be done with all the mercenaries. The dethroned Queen lowered herself onto one knee beside Joshua. She brushed gentle fingers across his forehead as she lifted the sleeping spell she had cast a short while ago.

How are you feeling? Maura asked with feigned concern. Joshua’s eyes fluttered open and he found himself staring up into Maura’s beautiful face. He felt suddenly ill.

Are you well enough to contact the Guardian? Is that how it works? Do you contact her when you need her and she you? Or are you in constant contact? she whispered.

Joshua stared at her, disbelief in his face. She knew—somehow, she knew about his connection with Jessica.

The deposed Queen laughed. Yes, that’s right. We know about the connection you have with the usurper. So, go ahead, call her here just like you did in the house at Planthill. I’m certain she’ll come right away. Oh, wait, she said touching her brow with one small hand. I forgot. She can’t come, because she doesn’t have any magic.

Joshua clenched his teeth in rage and despair. He wanted to slap the taunting smile off Maura’s face.

Go ahead, call her anyway, Maura urged. Perhaps if you tell her where we are, she can get a friend to bring her here.

Joshua didn’t have any need to call Jessica; she was waiting for him at the other end of their bond.

Joshua.

Jessie, he whispered within his mind. He could sense her now; she was weak, tired—sick. Jessica, what’s wrong? he asked, suddenly afraid for her.

Joshua, where are you?

Joshua looked up at Maura who was waiting and smiling patiently. Perhaps she didn’t realize that he was in contact with Jessica just yet. He dropped his eyes and tried to think without allowing any emotion to show in his face. Jessica, are you all right?

I’m fine, Jessica said softly, but the words sounded-- wrong.

Do you trust me? he asked quickly as he felt rather than saw Maura shift her position beside him.

With all of my heart, Jessica answered without hesitation. Without trying, she could clearly see the cavern in which he stood. So, he was in a cave of some kind. If she had magic she would have been there in a heartbeat.

You have to go; don’t try to touch my thoughts again, not until I come for you. Maura tricked me at Planthill. It was my fault that you walked into that trap. I think she’s trying to set another trap for you; I won’t be a part of this one, no matter what.

Maura smiled, recognizing that unfocused look on the Protector’s face. Is she with us? Good, she spoke, answering her own question as she leaned forward, her hands deftly unlacing his tunic front. She deliberately pulled his shirt open and ran one hand, feather light, across his chest. Tell her I hope she enjoys this as much as I will.

Can you hear me, Guardian? she spoke in a loud voice. The time has come to pay for your crimes!

She grabbed Joshua, yanking him up so he was kneeling before her. Still bound by the magic, he was unable to pull free of her touch.

Joshua pulled his magic up and tried to throw it at Maura, but the magic felt slow and clumsy, as if he had been drugged. Maura slipped her hands back inside of the King’s tunic, hoping that Jessica could feel what she was doing. Then she leaned forward, brushing his cheek with her lips as she whispered, Hold on, Protector, it gets bumpy from here.

Her magic slipped inside of him. He grunted from the intrusion. Joshua closed his eyes in concentration and tried to pull free of the woman’s touch, but it was already too late. The blue magic caught at one gossamer strand of red magic and began to pull.

Once, the Protector had done something very similar to this woman, only he had made it as quick and as painless as possible. He knew that Maura would not show him the same kindness. He had left Maura powerless and defeated. He was fairly certain he was about to find out firsthand what that felt like.

Joshua gasped from the pain of it and felt Jessica gasp as well.

Jessica, let me go, he begged, knowing that she would be privy to his ordeal if he didn’t break the contact now.

Don’t you do it, Joshua McCall. Don’t you dare leave me, Jessica cried, knowing what he planned.

Joshua threw his head back and cried out in agony as the excruciating pain ripped through him. Jessica cried out as well, and Joshua realized that she was doing more than watching, she was experiencing his pain through their contact. Even through the haze of his own agony, the Protector was aware of her.

Forgive me, Jessie, he whispered, and then he pulled free of her, barring her from his mind, concealing his thoughts from her. He knew he had saved her from the physical pain, but at the same time he had left her with a different kind of pain, and, in its own way, her pain was as excruciating as his.

Jessica staggered from her bed and threw open her bedroom door. She had to find Captain Strong. He would take her to the mountains, a cave that size should be easy to find. She would make Jayson help her whether he wanted to or not. She staggered across the room, her legs threatening to fold beneath her. She stumbled to the door, slamming into it with both hands. The door remained shut. Open, she cried. She was surprised at how weak her voice sounded in her ears. Open, she tried again, and then open, she commanded with the last of her strength.

The door stood resolute, a barrier between her and the saving of the man she loved. A thought pressed through the haze that filled her mind. She struggled to catch hold of it, to pull it to her. There was something she was missing. Then suddenly she knew, she understood. She was trapped. Without her magic, she could not even open her own apartment door. She had sent everyone away who could help her. Here she would stay until someone came for her.

Jessica slammed her fist weakly against the door. Again, and again she struck its smooth surface while that one word ran through her brain in perfect unison with her blows.

Useless, useless, useless. She sank to her knees. She was useless.

Glancing down at the talisman that hung against her chest, she lifted it and commanded it to open for her, but it would not. Useless! She tried to calm her breathing. With an effort, she let her consciousness slip down into her body, she kept her eyes closed and concentrated on finding that part of her that was both alien and familiar. But there was no other presence within in her. She was alone!

She might well be in physical contact with the Amulet, but the magical bond between them, the shared consciousness, had been severed when the power of the talisman was lost to her.

Suddenly, Jessica understood what was happening to her. She was dying. Without that part of her, she could not live; her body was slowly shutting down.

Someone would come, eventually. They would find her here, dead, a prisoner in her own home. No one would know where to look for Joshua; no one would know that he was still alive. They would both die, and Maura would win.

With only these dark thoughts for company, she slipped from the world of light into a world of darkness.

***

Maura smiled as she watched the exquisite pain play across Joshua’s twisted features. She released her hold on him and he fell onto his side on the rough ground without even the luxury of his hands to catch him.

The deposed Queen stood watching him. She sighed deeply; another’s pain could be so—satisfying. Maura lowered herself down to kneel beside the High King. Joshua wanted to push her hands away as she reached for him again, but he was still unable to move. Maura touched a glittering finger to his wrists and he found his hands pulled up above his head, fastened to the ground above him. Then she pointed a finger towards his feet and his ankles were bound to the ground as well. Maura gathered her dark magic and slowly raised her hands; she took a moment to admire the gleeful power that capered about her fingers. She dropped her gaze to Joshua’s, holding his intense eyes with her own. Slowly then, she pressed her hands back inside his shirt and began to pull the last of his magic from his battered body.

By the time Maura was finished, Joshua’s shirt was wet with perspiration and his wrists and ankles were slick with blood.

Can you still speak with the Guardian? Maura asked.

Joshua met her eyes and held them without answering.

Yes or no, she asked patiently.

Joshua remained silent, his lips pressed together in defiance.

Answer me or I shall have to hurt someone you care about, she said with a shrug of her shoulders as if the whole matter were completely out of her control.

Joshua glanced over at the huddled figure of Laurel and knew who it was she spoke of.

I can’t, he answered with a voice made hoarse from his cries. As the words left his mouth, he realized he had spoken the truth. He closed his eyes and tried to find the slender gossamer strand that bound him to the woman he loved, but he could not. He wanted to howl at his loss. He could hear Maura speaking, but he ignored her as he struggled again to find the thread that bound him to Jessica. It was gone, lost to him, to her. Understanding settled over him.

Hadn’t Sterling said that their shared magic could have been the link that bound them? If Sterling had guessed right, then he was truly cut off from Jessica.

Maura grabbed his chin and forced his eyes up to meet hers. Cannot or will not? She repeated for the third time.

At first, he was unsure what it was she was asking. But then it came to him in a rush. He lay with his jaw set, determined not to answer any more of her questions. But it wasn’t necessary, Maura smiled fiendishly.

She really is gone, isn’t she? You are free of the last hold she had on you. You can thank me later, she laughed. And then she pressed two fingers on his forehead; blue light exploded into his brain, and everything was dark once more.

Chapter Three

Joshua woke, shifting slightly and was rewarded with a throbbing pain in his head. However, he was relieved to see that his hands and ankles were no longer bound. He reached up and rubbed at the tender spots on his chest. He swore softly and wished with a fierce, longing ache that Jessica were here to scold him for his language. Ignoring the flashes of light that exploded in his head at every movement, he rolled over and forced himself to sit up. At first, he was certain he would be sick, but after a moment his stomach stopped trying to empty itself. He sighed with relief, thankful for small mercies. How many of the memories floating around in his head were real and how many were fragments of nightmares? Holding up his hands, he attempted to call his magic to him, but there was no response. So, that part, at least, had been real.

He closed his eyes again and reached out with his mind. Jessie, he called, are you there? Several times he called her, but there was no answer, not even the faintest hint of her presence.

So, that was real as well.

He opened his eyes, turning, he could see his companions a short way off. Despite that, he felt more alone then he could ever remember feeling. He tore his mind away from his own loss. Laurel was nearest to him. He could hear her shallow, ragged breathing, her sorrow obvious, even while she slept.

On the other side of Laurel, he could see Tye. His friend was sitting up, rubbing his forehead. The headache was one thing they probably all had in common.

Tye reached out and gently brushed at the hair that had fallen across Laurel’s face. He watched