close the pack she caught a glint of green: an enormous emerald on a thick gold chain. She freed it. Closing the pack, she lifted it from the arem and slung it over her shoulder.
“Ray.”
He looked up at her.
“Catch.”
She tossed the emerald to him. It landed neatly in his palm. “What’s this for?” he asked.
“Something to remember me by.”
He sighed. Weariness and resignation dulled his anger. Once he’d had a good night’s sleep and time to think, that anger might put ideas of following her into his head, she realized. Unless she gave him reason not to. She walked away toward the road, then turned as if something had just occurred to her.
“Did the Pentadrians ask you to destroy the Scroll or the secrets contained in it?”
He shrugged.
“Oh, Ray,” she said, smiling. “You were the only one who was nice to me. I really wish it wasn’t you... I’d hate for you to not get your reward after all this. Did you know Barmonia sent a copy of the Scroll back to Hannaya?”
His eyes widened and she sensed a sudden anxiety from him.
“Good luck,” she said. Turning away, she shifted the heavy pack onto her other shoulder and headed back to her arem.
She hoped so, since it was possible that the Scroll contained more important clues. The Twins would be furious if Ray did succeed in destroying all copies of it and Emerahl’s hunch about the diamond was wrong.
As she and Nekaun left the balcony Auraya sought the Siyee priest’s mind. It took some time to find him, and when she did she realized why. Teel was barely conscious and in terrible pain.
Though Nekaun set a rapid pace, she wished he would walk faster. Run, even. Yet at the same time she could not help remembering that Teel was the only Siyee she had ever felt a dislike for. His self-righteous pride and fanaticism, encouraged by Huan, had grated on her nerves during the journey here. But she would never wish this pain and suffering on the young man.
They reached the old part of the Sanctuary and hurried into the corridor that led to the hall. The two Servants that guarded the gate opened it as she and Nekaun appeared. Two more Servants waited inside - a man and a woman. They hovered around a Siyee lying beside the huge throne. From their thoughts she read puzzlement and concern. They did not know what ailed him. As they saw her and Nekaun they stepped back. She drew magic in preparation, set a barrier about herself and dropped into a crouch beside the Siyee.
“What is wrong?” Nekaun asked.
The two Servants spoke at once, then the woman lapsed into silence. Auraya placed a hand on the Siyee’s chest.
“He looked well enough this morning,” the male Servant confessed. “It’s strange. There is a—”
Nekaun raised a hand to silence the man. “Auraya will want to make her own assessment,” he said. Looking at her, he nodded. “Go on.”
She closed her eyes and quietened her mind as Mirar had taught her. It was not easy, but the distress of the body beneath her palm drew her in. She gasped at what she saw.
“He’s dying,” she said.
“Can you do anything?” Nekaun asked.
She began to influence the body’s processes, giving his heart strength, encouraging his lungs to work harder. Wherever she looked, organs were failing. Then she saw the cause. Something coursed through his veins. The source was his stomach.
Teel had been poisoned.
She reached for more magic... and was surprised and horrified when her efforts to heal the Siyee floundered. She reached out, trying to draw power to herself, but nothing came. In a rush, her awareness left the priest and flew outward. She recognized the lack around her.
A chill ran through her body. Of course Nekaun knew about the void. How could he not? It was within the Sanctuary, the home of the Voices.
She was suddenly aware of him leaning over her. Moving away, she stood up and turned to face him.
“He has been poisoned,” she said.
Nekaun smiled. It was not the charming smile she had grown used to, but a smirk of satisfaction and menace. Her heart began to race.
He took a step toward her. “Then I don’t think we will be able to release your Siyee friend tomorrow.”
She backed away.
“Did you order it?” she asked.
“Yes. How else was I going to get you down here?” He looked over her shoulder. Her stomach sank as she realized the two Servants were standing behind her. From their minds she read his orders.
They hadn’t known of his plans, but recovered from their surprise quickly. She felt hands grasp her arms and tried to twist away, but both Servants were strong. Both were Servant-warriors, who prided themselves on their physical fitness as well as magical Skill.
“Let me go,” Auraya demanded.
They were amused by her order and had no intention of following it.
Nekaun was smiling broadly, enjoying the moment. As he stepped closer Auraya’s heart lurched.
“Behind the throne you will find chains.”
Her mind shied away from that thought. She stared at Nekaun, wanting to say something to make him change his mind - a threat to frighten him, or an offer he would be tempted by. But her mind refused to think and she could not make herself speak. Her heart was pounding and she reflexively strained against the hands holding her, all the while uselessly reaching for magic. A Servant brought out the chains, which were firmly bolted to gaps in the arms of the chair.
“Put her back to the throne,” Nekaun instructed. “Lock her wrists in the shackles.”
The Servant woman held Auraya’s left arm outstretched, then her right, as the male Servant snapped the manacles around Auraya’s wrists. When they were done Nekaun waved them away. He reached out and grasped Auraya’s hand. She bit back a protest as he pulled off her priest ring.
He stepped back to regard her.
“That was much too easy,” he said, shaking his head. “Who would have thought a White - a former White - would be so easy to catch?”
