I reached and pulled him close, rising up on the balls of me feet to kiss him. Heat pulsed in my chest, and I wanted to melt into his skin. But I sensed Reed waking up. We broke apart.

Valek said, “I doubt you’ll get close to the Ice Moon, but if some odd twist of fate leads you to it, do not let that magician 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 moved, disappearing into the shadows. Reed entered the room, glaring in suspicion.

“I’m ready,” I said as I breezed pass him. I joined Owen and the other three men in the living room. Without waiting for Owen to give the order, I said, “Let’s go.”

Leading them outside, I turned north. I was sure Owen knew how powerful the Ice Moon was.

But I’d bet my butterfly pendant, he had no idea that it had been given--not stolen--to the Commander by the Master Magicians for safe keeping.

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 numbered and the magician 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 them.

Time to fix that problem, Valek thought. 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 few milk oats and scratched her behind the ears before mounting his 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 marble of the outer walls. Onyx headed straight for the Magician'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 time to be subtle, he informed the guard in the gatehouse 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 administration building.

If Irys wasn't in her office, she soon would be. There was always a magician stationed in the gatehouse and he or she would inform the second most powerful magician in Ixia he waited for her. Having a reputation is handy in certain situations, he thought wryly.

Valek hopped off Onyx and entered the building, finding Irys's office without encountering anyone. He wasn't too surprised to find her working at her desk. Her normally tidy hair hung to her shoulders as if she'd given up on keeping it pulled back.

“What's wrong?” she asked.

“Where's Leif?”

She eyed his dusty travel clothes. “I asked first.”

He huffed in annoyance. Yes he could find out where Leif's last known location was without her help, but he didn't want to waste anymore time. Besides Irys may have information on this Owen Moon. He explained the midnight ambush to her.

“I remember Owen,” she said. “Cocky little twerp who came from a rich family. His strongest ability is mental communication. The only magician I know who can lie to another magician in his mind. Most people can't lie when you're linked mind to mind, but he can.”

“Where's Leif?” he asked again.

“Councilor Moon requested his help to interrogate a murderer. Not all of his victims have been found and they wanted to use Leif's magic to locate their remains.”

“Have you heard from him recently?”

“No and I was beginning to worry. Last time he made contact was three days ago. He reported that he had reached Fulgor late at night and would go to the Councilor's Hall in the morning.”

“Can you contact one of the Councilor's people?” he asked.

Irys nodded and pulled a glass statue from her pocket. He guessed the red tailed hawk glowed with magic, but he couldn't see it. She stared into the depths of the messenger.

“Ask if Leif checked in with Tama Moon,” he said. He needed to know if Owen's men had ambushed Leif before or after he talked to the Councilor.

Irys frowned. “We'll have to wait. My contact will ask the Councilor and report back. Get some sleep, Valek. You look exhausted.”

It was a good idea, but sleeping now seemed impossible. Valek desired action. His hands itched to squeeze the life out of the people who held Leif. Instead, he stabled Onyx and then joined the morning training session, working out with the students until Irys appeared and waved him over.

“Councilor Moon never requested Leif. She hasn't seen him at all,” she said.

Valek calculated. Leif was taken three days ago. He could still be in Moon Clan lands or in Cloud Mist's lands or even the Featherstone lands. He would need to travel to Fulgor, but Onyx required a few more hours rest before they could leave. With reluctance dragging at his feet, he finally took Irys's advice and slept.