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Dread shivered through hi as the note that had been left for Lucivar But this one was addressed to the High Lord

He called Kohlvar, Rothvar, Zaranar, and Hallevar over "I’ive my report"

"Could be a trap," Hallevar said "They could be waiting for you to make a move"

Yes, he was sure itwas a trap--but not for hi to bother us anymore, but maintain a watch Stay sharp Don’t letanyone in, noIf I come back before thatdo your best to kill me"

They understood him If he ca controlled and respond accordingly

"May the Darkness protect you," Hallevar said

Falonar passed through the Sapphire shield Taking the envelope, he launched himself skyward and headed for the Keep

15 / Kaeleer

Saetan stared at the sheet of paper Too s crowded him, so he pushed them all aside

I have your son

Hekatah

Which also meant she had Marian and Daemonar, since that was the only bait she could have used to provoke Lucivar into going to Hayll

Now Lucivar was being used as the bait forhia to trade: him for Lucivar, Marian, and Daeo,couldn’t let hiot Marian and Daemonar safely out of reach, he’d turn on Hekatah and Dorothea with all the destructive power that was in hi

He could go to Hayll and destroy Dorothea and Hekatah Two Red-Jeweled Priestesses were no o there, throw a Black shield around Lucivar, Marian, and Daeth--and kill every living thing for miles around him

But it wouldn’t stop the war Not now Maybe it never would have And it was the war that had to be stopped, not just the titches who had started it

So he would play their gaive hi has a price

He removed the Black-Jeweled pendant and set it on the desk He re that contained the sas of Honor

Even if Dae Jaenelle, even if hewas the reason she was resisting a for Not to this

Don’t think Be an instru into the trap Dorothea and Hekatah had set for hi out the explosive, savage side of Jaenelle--his own pain

Of course, he would never be the same after those two bitches were done with him He would never

He opened the desk drawer, caressed the lavender-scented envelope "Sometimes duty walks a road where the heart can’t follow I’m sorry, Sylvia It would have been an honor to be your husband I’m sorry"

He closed the drawer, picked up his cape, and quietly left the Keep

16 / Kaeleer

Daeh the Keep’s corridors He’d spent the past several hoursto the instructions Jaenelle had given hi tonics that had blood in them would lose their potency over that amount of time, she had told him she had calculated that so the potency would taper off the way it needed to And when he’d ask why

Well, it was to be expected that she would be drained by unleashing the amount of power needed to stop Dorothea and Hekatahcompletely The fact that it would take her three months to recover worried hi whatever it washe was also worried that the boyos ht finally slip the leash and throw the too hostile toward hiht say, but he hoped Saetan would still be reasonable He was fairly sure he could say enough for the High Lord to understand that Jaenelle’s evasion had a purpose, that all they needed was a few more days A few more days and the threat to Kaeleer would end, the threat Dorothea and Hekatah had always been to the Blood would end

He knocked on Saetan’s door, then went in cautiously when it was Surreal who said, "Co behind the sry Surreal didn’t look tired, and she was a long way past angry "Look at this," she said

Even from where he stood, he could see the pendant and the Steward’s ring Slipping his hands into his trouser pockets, he walked around the desk, silently acknowledging the emotional cut when she deliberately e and felt a claw-sharp chill rip down his back

"Noware you finally going to do so her hands on the desk "They’re not killing strangers anymore You can’t keep your distance anymoreThose bitches have your father and brother"