Page 15 (1/2)

You cannot beat yourself up over decisions others are ultimately responsible for, Azriel commented Tao had the choice He chose to help, just as he chose to save Ilianna by consu the elemental

If he weren’t there, he wouldn’t have had to make the decision

And Ilianna would now be dead You cannot have all things, Risa Fate is not a generous wo that To Rachel, I said, "Did you try his phone?"

"I can’t, because all his belongings are still upstairs He didn’t even change"

Daht for calet someone in?"

She hesitated "Jacques is due in next shift--perhaps if you could get him to arrive a little earlier? We’re not usually rushed until after six s"

"I’ll do that Letup I called Jacques and asked hilanced at Azriel "I don’t suppose it’s possible for you to locate Tao via his life force, is it?"

"That would depend very much on which life force is in control If it is the elemental, then no"

"Well, at least we’d know for sure if the elemental has taken over"

Azriel nodded "It may take me a few one"

"I won’t"

He disappeared I picked up the phone again and dialed Ilianna "Hey, gorgeous," she said, expression cheerful and green eyes gloith happiness "How are you?"

I couldn’t help sht"

"Very well I’ht now Not even the fact that I have to ain can spoil it"

Caras the stallion her parents were trying to set her up with According to Mirri, he was rather hot--in bed and out--but given Ilianna’s preferences, she was either going to have to be honest with her parents or get stuck with a riht I think it was supposed to be just hi She thinks we should be honest with him"

"It can’t hurt, can it?" She couldn’t help her sexual preferences, and the sooner Carare of them, the better it would be for them all

"He’s a horse-shifter," she said dryly "A ht when it co with Mirri on this one"

"Traitor" The fierceness of her tone was lint of amusement in her eyes "To what do I owe the honor of this call?"

I hesitated, then said, "Tao’s walked out of the café and can’t be found I don’t supposed you’ve had any particular vibes were he’s concerned?"

Ilianna wasn’t only a powerful witch, but also a very strong clairvoyant--and a far more reliable one than I’d ever been

"No, I haven’t" She frowned, expression suddenly concerned "Is it the fire ele trouble controlling it earlier"

"I’ll do a locating spell and see if I can find hih if the ele spell even work?"

"I don’t know" She bit her lip for a y of the person, so with Tao’s body che fro hasto be difficult to pin him down But I can try"

"LetIn the meantime, I’ll rope in Stane and Jak"

"Why the hell would you involve Jak?" Her voice held a note of disbelief "It’s not like Tao needs soood story--on his case"

"Jak has his nose to the ground and can hunt stories in places neither of us would get near," I said To say Ilianna had a hate-on for Jak was like saying night followed day--blindingly obvious

"You be careful with hi you need in your life is another heartbreak"

"Trust ave her a lopsided grin "Or my body"