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The ot to him, the worse her vision hurt Why would he just stand there and watch her without trying to help? Was all his selfless nobility so at her with pride because she was doing so to burn alive if it was for a good cause? If it saved the life of another? She wanted to believe she would, but in truth, she knew she was too much of a coward Maybe she could accept some other fate if it was to save the life of another, but not that one She’d feared it for too long Burning alive was her worst nightmare "I don’t want to use fire," she told Gilda in a voice filled with sharim acceptance "Then you should stay here and serve us as the Gerai do"

"She is not a Gerai," said Drake through clenched teeth "She is far more than that and you know it"

Gilda turned her black gaze on Drake As lovely as she was, there was so about her--some almost alien quality that demanded respect and obedience "What I know is that I do not want to hang your sword in the Hall of the Fallen I also know that if you take this da just that"

"It’s not your decision," said Drake

"No? I could kill her right now and be done with it I care nothing for her and I would happily see her die in your stead"

Helen didn’t doubt for one second that Gilda was telling the truth

Drake’s hand went to his sword and Angus set Gilda aside and came to his feet in a movement so fast it was hard to believe it had happened "Back off, son Don’t make me hurt you"

Drake’s jaw clenched, but he released his sword and took a deep breath Helen could feel tension vibrating in his body, feel it hu between them That control had cost him much effort "Don’t talk like that, Gilda You knoe need her I need her"

Gilda had regained her feet, but was leaning against the carved boulder for support "We need her to give the unbound Theronai hope, and to ease your pain, but that is all Keep her for yourself Use her as you will, but do not risk your life to her inco to stay silent when they were talking about her like this "No one is going to use me or keep me For heaven’s sake, you make it sound like I’ave her a hard stare "You’re no one’s slave, Helen Don’t listen to her"

"Who else should she listen to if not me? There are no other female Theronai around"

"That doesn’t hed "I understand the kind of feelings you have for Helen, but Logan has seen inside her ed She will never be what you want her to be"

Helen wasn’t sure what shocked herlike that froht

"You haven’t even given her the benefit of the doubt, but you’re willing to believe a Sanguinar? Do you even knohat he did to her?" delanced at Helen, as totally lost She knew Logan had walked around in her memories and that he’d taken some of her blood, but the way Drake said it, it sounded as if he’d violated her civil rights or so

A pressure filled her ears, and the sounds of the night--the crickets singing and the wind through the trees--all disappeared Helen rubbed her ears and tried to yawn to one, but she’d missed whatever Gilda had said

Whatever it was, it infuriated Drake His face darkened with anger and his fingers dug into her hip "Is Logan still here? I’d like to havewords with him"

"You should beto do and less about what Logan is doing"

"The Sanguinar are up to soan

Gilda waved her hand in a weary gesture "The Sanguinar are always up to sous pulled Gilda to his side "And it is irl food for thought Give her tiest it? More like choke it down and pray it didn’t make her sick "I promised I’d help Drake find Kevin’s sword," said Helen "I won’t go back on my word"

"Foolish child," muttered Gilda "At least speak to Sibyl before you try so so foolish"

"I’ve already asked for an audience with her," said Drake

Gilda’s black eyes narrowed "Will she receive you?"

"I don’t know yet Cain said he’d tellif she will see Helen"

"Sibyl will see her I’ll make sure of it"

"Thank you,his head formally

"Don’t thank me until after Helen has spoken with Sibyl," said Gilda

"That’s enough of that" Angus picked Gilda up into his arms "It’s bed for you, wo her world spinning out of control under her feet There was so much she didn’t understand Part of that was how Gilda could be a fierce, fire-breathing warrior one us’s arms the next It seemed totally out of character somehow

"You need to rest, too," said Drake

Helen nodded She was bone tired and ached everywhere froical fire "Who is Sibyl and why do I need to see her?"

Drake hesitated as if he didn’t want to tell her, but finally said, "She knows about how visions of the future work"