Page 3 (1/2)

I reached and pulled hi up on the balls of me feet to kiss him Heat pulsed in my chest, and I wanted toup We broke apart

Valek said, "I doubt you’ll get close to the Ice Moon, but if soician get his hands on it Not even in exchange for Leif’s life The consequences--"

"I know"

"How?"

"Master Magician Bain Bloodgood told me"

"Good"

The knob on the door turned and Valek laring in suspicion

"I’m ready," I said as I breezed pass hi rooive the order, I said, "Let’s go"

Leading them outside, I turned north I was sure Owen kneerful the Ice Moon was

But I’d bet iven--not stolen--to the Co

Part 3

Valek watched Yelena, Owen Moon and his four men head north toward Ixia The cold wind rattled the bare branches of the trees and a shiver zipped over his skin She was out nuician could protect himself with a null shield Worry swirled in his chest as they disappeared over a slight rise Yelena led the men on an impossible quest--to recover the Ice Moon from the Commander’s mine The only reason Valek hadn’t killed the five of them was her brother, Leif They held his life in their hands, forcing Yelena to help theht He roused the stable boy, asking the lad to saddle his horse, Onyx Kiki stuck her head out of her stall and gave him a morose look Because horses were only ridden by the Generals and special officers in Ixia, she had to stay behind and wait for Yelena to return She would miss Onyx’s presence, but that couldn’t be helped He needed to get to the Citadel as fast as possible

He fed Kiki a fewhis pure black horse For a moment, he wished he could communicate with the horses the same way Yelena could, but he knew they were smart He asked Onyx to hurry to the Citadel and the horse broke into a fast gallop

They arrived at the northern gate of the Citadel just as the first rays of dawn shone over the white ician’s Keep in the northeast quadrant of the city Valek wondered how Yelena fared Was she tired? Worried? But when he reached the Keep’s gate, he shoved his concerns deep within his heart No tiatehouse he needed to see Master Magician Irys Jewelrose Valek didn’t wait for permission to enter Onyx hopped the wooden barrier with ease and they crossed to the ad

If Irys wasn’t in her office, she soon would be There was always a atehouse and he or she would inforician in Ixia he waited for her Having a reputation is handy in certain situations, he thought wryly