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Chapter 1

"Reah and I talked about it—that's how I know" Gavril wanted to shout at the adults Reah had tried to tell Lendill Schaff about Nods Whitlin, but he'd ignored her, sure that Nods was only an illegal ie on Mandil They were growing citrus in the desert so there was plenty of water to grow drakus seed We pieced it together—she said soh Commander could have been in on this" Gavril sat in front of his mother, his father, ASD Director Norian Keef and Vice-Director Lendill Schaff "She didn't contact you a second time because she was e all too well

"Whitlin won't be able to talk for a few days—Tory nearly crushed his throat," Norian gru to talk—we can't force theet upset and frustrated enough to tell us all he knows As soon as he can talk"

"The wizards won't say anything?" Queen Lissa asked

"Theabout Reah He stopped talking when I told hiry about the entire incident Lendill had ignored Reah's warning; she hadn't had enough courage to coleaned was serious enough to call in agents and seven people died Another eight ounded

"But how are they getting to Tulgalan?" Lendill knew he'd ent to tail Nods He reat deal from that Instead, they were left to clean up bodies and attealan why a wizard's battle had destroyed half of Taritha Village

"I would have hed "She's only nineteen We didn't give her enough credit"

"Reah, , wake up Please"

I ached All over, I ached The pain wasn't unbearable now, but it had been I re up occasionally; the pain had been so bad I only recalled cool fingers against ain A voice, now, askingNot Aurelius—he never called y brain That hurt, too

"Aurelius is out on assignain I am here, pretty one" I was afraid to open ht have to face when I did Perhaps someone would come to send me back to unconsciousness

"No, darling They'll relieve the pain, but you must wake You must move and eat and answer questions"

I moaned I didn't want to answer questions I didn't want to think Didn't want to remember

"Hush, now We'll get you through this"

"Wylend, go away" That voice I'd heard before I was trying to connect it to a face and a name