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"I’y fros Tiny sparks in the air, heat froht fro up over the years I can’t stop it, and eventually, without a means of escape, that poill kill me"

He could see the confusion in Helen’s eyes and he wanted to explain everything to her, but first, he had to put her mind at ease He’d seen her vision when they’d bonded It was the only thing about her the luceria had chosen to show him

It was dark where they were So dark he couldn’t see anything beyond the sphere of light the fire cast She was dressed all in black except for the fiery red splash of color around her neck--the luceria Her hair was in twin braids, as it had been earlier tonight Her arms were spread wide, almost as if she was bound, but he could see no chains or ropes holding her Fla up from her feet until they rose ten feet into the air Her face was a h-pitched scream that made every hair on his body rise in protest Yet in the vision, he stood there Doing nothing He watched as the flames blackened her clothes and blistered her skin He watched as she stared at hi her hazel eyes

Drake didn’t want to believe Helen’s vision If he hadn’t seen it himself, he wouldn’t have believed it He si so to stop it Was he?

At least he nohy she’d been so afraid of him from the moment she saw him He hated it, but at least itin the feel of her soft skin against his sword-roughened pal to happen, Helen I would never stand by and watch you die Never"

"I want to believe you"

"Then do I know people--powerful people--who can help us sort this out I’ll take you to theht"

Thomas had pushed the kitchen door open in ti after Kevin’s sword Right now"

Carht for the bathroo

Drake frowned at Thoe to ask what had happened It was none of his business, but whatever it was, it had upset Thomas He looked different Harder

Thomas’s eyes settled on the luceria around Helen’s throat and his jaw clenched He drew his sword, knelt down, and scored a thin line over his heart without bothering to remove his shirt He uttered the custo to his feet Blood trickled down his chest, soaking into the thin cotton shirt he wore, but Thomas paid it no heed

"I wish you wouldn’t do that," said Helen

"Sorry," said Drake "It’s our custom"

"It’s a violent custom"

"We’re a violent people," said Thomas as he cleaned the blood off his sith a paper towel

"Isn’t that blood going to draw the rowled Thomas "It is"

"Then why do you do it? Seems kind of stupid to bleed all over the place when you knoill make the monsters come"

Drake took her hand "It’s proof of our dedication Our courage Not only are illing to bleed for you; we’re also ready and able to fight off whatever danger may come without fear It’s syness to risk our lives on your behalf"

"Guess Hall card for that, huh?"

Tho"

"Where are we going?" asked Helen

"I’ you to see Sibyl"

"The hell you are," said Tho with us to find Kevin’s sword"

The idea of dragging Helen into battle made Drake’s hands shake He kneas silly, that she was now more able to protect herself in battle than he was, but that didn’t mean she knew it "She’s not ready She doesn’t even kno to use my power yet"

"We don’t have time to wait The trail will dissipate at dawn"

"What trail?" asked Helen Her fingers were gripped tight around his ar them, he would have been able to feel her fear She’d had tooto take its toll

Thomas stepped close and Drake could see the difference in Thoht blue eyes No humor All that was left was cold, lethal intent "Thomas? Are you okay,down the hall without a backward glance "I’ to find Kevin’s sword in ten ood Without Zach around, he’d be on his own, and as tough as Thomas was, he was nowith his" Not the least of which was he was dying He hadn’t taken off his shirt when he’d offered his oath to Helen That was a bad sign One of the first signs that a Theronai was nearing the end Drake wondered how many leaves he had left

Not many if he didn’t want Drake to see