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Rudra Muralin wrote that for all intents and purposes, he and the Saghred were one and the sa I wasn’t a spellsinger, and before inal sorceress, and I’d only been connected to the Saghred for a little under teeks Nowhere near long enough to forge the kind of bond that could level cities Or was it? Wasas Rudra Muralin’s? And if not, just how strong was it? I didn’t plan on having the link long enough to find out

When I finished Muralin’s journal, I put it on the table well out of splashing range, and opened the Saghred legend book that Muralin had written under his pen na where Phaelan had interruptedto coer to cohred It occurred to er Mychael probably would I’d have to ask The rest of the book was either things I already knew or had heard about, such as the Saghred’s preference for sha to legend, shamans who had fallen fro the sacrificing received enhanced powers, near i sacrificed had his soul trapped for eternity inside the stone I couldn’t decide who got the worst end of that deal

I finished the book and put it on the table with the journal

I sank doer into the hot, bubbly water It took a while, but I feltoff I didn’t try to stop it I’d wake up before I drowned Probably I drifted between sleep and wake When I opened my eyes, my room was kind of blurry

Sarad Nukpana was in sharp focus He was soblin looked entirely too happy to be sitting in a chair next to my tub, my bubbles had become noticeably less bubbly, and worst of all, he had lance, and his s into view "You can co to be intimidated Scared, I had no control over and it was too late for that; I was already scared Inti about My last encounter with Nukpana had proved that anything he could do to , I’d fought while naked before Once you got past the e

I took a slow breath and, trying not to expose too ed what bubbles I had left Then I crossed , but it’d have to do Nukpana’s dark eyes hungrily devoured uess naked fehred

I tried to ignore where that thought led and glanced around "Not enough power left to repair your own bedroo est cluster of bubbles "You’ve seendown into the water "I wanted to see yours By the way, this is your dreahred allows hts or dreae to look where he was looking He shouldn’t be able to be here "The Saghred’s asleep" I said it, but I suspected the cat aking up

"Merely conserving power"

"By desire or necessity?"

"Both Power is precious, little seeker It should not be wasted on trifles"

"I’m not a trifle?"

"You are a necessity" The hand trailed deeper into the water, his fingers brushing my skin "A most precious and desirable necessity"

I forced down a shiver It wasn’t entirely due to Nukpana’s hand in one out "If you want to talk or gloat, get on with it My water’s not getting any wars "You’re welcoo to hell"

"Such veheratulate you"

"On what?"

"On your newfound skills Even though I enjoyed your prih their atte contact with the abducted students" He re the water froe to slink down farther into the water I didn’t know if Nukpana had continuous contact with ot the information once he’d infested my dream Either way it had to stop

"What do you know about the students?" I asked

"I have retained Banan Ryce’s unique services from time to time He is most proficient at his craft, but he does have his weaknesses, most notably blondes I prefer redheads"