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"How ets activated, would Morton sense it even if he’s not in the saave her an odd look "Karla, if so, not only will you have Morton pounding on your door, you’re going to have Sceron, Jonah, Kaelas, Mistral, and Khary showing up on your doorstep--along with our Sisters in that part of the Real "ButI know the boyos have used this shield on occasion and it didn’t o berserk"

"I wouldn’t count on their responding to a signal picked up fronal from another Brother in the court," Jaenelle said dryly "Besides, at this point, the males are’ all attuned to each other They can tell when to renal and when to drop everything and head for the person in trouble with all possible speed"

"And you don’t think they’ll wait?"

"Not a chance"

Karla sighed That was a little lad of the warning

"I’ll link it to your Gray Jewel now," Jaenelle said, holding out her right hand

"Won’t the boyos pick that up?" Karla asked, placing her right hand in Jaenelle’s

"Yes, and it will take theure out that so they can connect with now"

Well, there’s safety in nu like this --

"And it will take theure out the distinctive feel of this particular ring and recognize it as you"

"Hell’s fire"

Jaenelle’s smile was sympathetic but amused "Wait until Lucivar shows up the first time It’s an experience"

"I’m sure it is," Karla mumbled

A moment later, she felt a flash of cold followed by heat The ring throbbed against her finger The sensations faded, but she could sense the deep reservoir of poaiting just out of reach

"The other thing to be aware of is that, when the shield wakes, the only people ill be able to reach you if you physically need help are the rest of the First Circle," Jaenelle said

Karla nodded "In that case, I’d better alear it It wouldn’t do to have someone else slip it on and have that kind of protection"

"No one else can wear this ring It was made for you If anyone else tried to activate the shield, the results would beunpleasant"

"I see" She didn’t ask Jaenelle to define "unpleasant"

Jaenelle studied Karla for a moment "Wear it well, Sister"

"Thank you I will"

"I’d better see that the rest of the coven gets their rings" Jaenelle picked up the bag that held the other ring boxes, then hesitated "Do you really have to leave tomorrow?" she asked a little plaintively

"Duty calls," Karla said with a s, "And Uncle Saetanwould be considered acceptable"

All the Queens were returning to their home Territories So were the First Circlehis family and the other Eyriens to Ebon Rih Surreal and Wilhelo with him as well Andulvar and Prothvar were already on their way to Askavi, and Mephis had left for his town house in A the Hall They all did By tomorrow afternoon, all the friends Jaenelle had used as buffers would be gone Her only huh Lord, who, Karla was sure, was going to make himself scarce, and Daemon The Consort would have a clear field in which to woo his Lady

"May the Darkness help us," Karla muttered as she strode to the door and threw it open Then she stood in the doorway and stared

Lucivar, Aaron, Chaosti, Khardeen, and Morton smiled at her

"Well, well, well," Lucivar crooned "Look e found"

Trying to return the smile, Karla said weakly, "Kiss kiss," and sincerely hoped it wouldn’t take Jaenelle long to activate the other rings

Chapter Ten

1 / Kaeleer

After spending teeks in Ebon Rih, Surreal returned to the Hall, took one look at Dae for Jaenelle

She finally tracked Jaenelle down--actually, Graysfang tracked down Ladvarian, ith Jaenelle--in a part of the Hall so far away frouaranteed no one would think to look there

Jaenelle stepped out of a roo down the corridor Her face lit up with pleasure "Surreal! I didn’t expect you back so--"

Surreal grabbed Jaenelle’s arirl talk," she growled at Graysfang and Ladvarian "Go water some bushes" Then she slammed the door on two startled, furry faces