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He was the only real family she had left--and the only friend she had left

The bitter anger boiled over without warning

"It’s been two years!" She pushed at Morton until he released her "She’s been in Kaeleer for two years, and she hasn’t coe, Karla," Morton said cautiously "Friends don’t always remain friends"

"Not Jaenelle Not withher chained soh to make Morton wince "In here, I know it"

"The Dark Council appointed hiuardian--"

Karla turned on hiuardians, Lord Morton," she hissed "I know all about ’guardians’ "

"Karla," Morton said weakly

" ’Karla,’ " she mimicked bitterly "It’s always ’Karla’ Karla’s the one who’s out of control Karla’s the one who’s beco elass coven Karla’s the one who’s become too excitable, too hostile, too intractable Karla’s the one who’s cast aside all those delightful si"

"Males don’t find that--"

"And Karla’s the one ill gut the next son of a whoring bitch who tries to shove his hand or anything else between her legs!"

"What?"

Karla turned her back to Morton Hell’s fire, Mother Night, and may the Darkness be merciful She hadn’t meant to say that

"Is that why you cut your hair like that after Uncle Hobart insisted that you come back to the family estate to live? Is that why you burned all your dresses and started wearingher around to face him "Is it?"

Tears filled Karla’s eyes "A broken witch is a complacent witch," she said softly "Isn’t that true, Morton?"

Morton shook his head "You wear Birthright Sapphire

There aren’t any males in Glacia ear a Jewel darker than the Green"

"A Blood th if he waits for the right moment and has help"

Morton swore softly, viciously

"What if that’s the reason Jaenelle doesn’t come to visit anymore? What if he’s done to her what Uncle Hobart wants to do to me?"

Morton stepped away fro near you"

She could almost see the wounds the truth had left on his heart There was nothing she could do now about the truth, but therewas so she could do about the wounds "You’re family"

"I’mmale"

"You’re Morton The exception to the rule"

Morton hesitated, then opened his ar into his arms, Karla held him as fiercely as he held her

"Listen," he said hoarsely "Write a letter to the High Lord and ask him if Jaenelle could come for a visit Ask for a return reply"

"The Old Fart will never let me send a courier to SaDiablo Hall," Karlato know" Morton took a deep breath "I’ll deliver the letter personally and wait for an answer"

Before Morton could offer his handkerchief, Karla stepped back, sniffed, and wiped her face on the shirt she’d taken froain and was done with paltry e her nervously "You rite apolite letter, won’t you?"

"I’ll be a polite as I can be," Karla assured hih Lord And, one way or another, she would get the answer she wanted

Please Sweet Darkness, please be th of her Sapphire Jewels, Karla flung one word into the Darkness "Jaenelle!"

"Karla?" Morton said, touching her arm "The banquet is about to start We need to put in an appearance, if only for a little while"

Karla froze, not even daring to breathe "Jaenelle?"