“But how is it possible for you to be separated at all?”

I stared at the floor, unsure of how to explain my situation to someone who had never spent a day in his four hundred years disconnected from his Mori. No Mohiri, not even Nikolas, could understand what it was like to live with two opposite forces inside of you. Demons and Fae were enemies, and I should not even be possible. But here I was.

“When I was little, I didn’t know what I was, just that I had something bad in my head. Then my Fae power developed, and I learned to use it to keep my demon locked away so it didn’t make me do bad things.” I met his astonished gaze. “That’s how I grew up, and it was the only thing I knew until I met Nikolas. My Mori and I are like two minds in one body. I can feel it and talk to it, but I can’t use its power unless we join.”

Jordan leaned away from the wall. “Wait, you talk to it? Isn’t that like talking to yourself?”

“No.”

“And your Fae power does not harm your Mori?” Desmund asked, his shock turning to fascination.

“It hurts it a lot if I’m not careful. I keep my power locked away whenever I let it out.”

Understanding lit Jordan’s eyes. “That’s how you were able to stay sane all those years? You just kept your Mori locked away?”

“Pretty much.”

“Damn, Sara.” Jordan shook her head. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

I frowned. “Fight, apparently.”

Desmund stroked his jaw. “You can fight, just not well enough to face a real adversary without using your power. To do that, you need to join with your demon. So that is what we must work on.”

“How?” If he knew a way to help me join easier with my Mori I was all ears.

“The only way is for you to release the demon and join with it as often and as long as you can. It will be unpleasant at first, but eventually you will become accustomed to it.”

I swallowed dryly. “And how are you going to help me with that?”

His smile was back. “I will offer moral support and teach you to use your new demon strength on your enemies.”

“What about me?” Jordan asked almost reverently. “Can I train with you, too?”

He gave her an appraising look. “What would you like to work on?”

“Sword,” Jordan and I said together and laughed.

Desmund glanced from Jordan to me. “Very well.” He studied the layout of the room then looked at me. “First, we will spend some time working with your Mori, and then we’ll have some weapons training. How does that sound?”

“Awesome,” I said dryly, earning laughter from the two of them. Something told me I was the only one who wasn’t going to enjoy training, but at least it would help me keep my mind off other things, like Nikolas and what he was doing right now.

I took a deep breath. “Where do we begin?”

* * *

I knew something was wrong the moment I walked into the command center that evening. If the flurry of activity around several of the workstations wasn’t enough evidence, the fact that a hush fell over the room when I entered spoke volumes.

“What is it?” I asked Raoul, and alarm shot through me when he couldn’t quite meet my eyes. “Tell me.”

He hesitated before answering. “The teams had a confirmed lock on the target, and they moved into retrieval position an hour ago. We just got word that they are under heavy attack by hostiles.”

“How many?” Desmund asked calmly from behind me.

“Unsure, but they are surrounded. We’ve dispatched backup from Seattle, but they are still an hour away.”

Fear clawed at my chest. Nikolas was in danger, fighting for his life. I’d been so angry at him when he left yesterday. What if he...? No, don’t think that! He’s going to be okay.

“Where are you going?” Jordan called as I spun toward the door.

“I need to find Eldeorin.”

She ran after me. “He could be anywhere. How will you find him?”

I stopped and stared at her, flinching at the sympathy in her eyes. “I don’t...” My mind raced desperately and the answer hit me. “Heb. He can find him.” I took off running again, followed closely by Jordan and Desmund. Eldeorin had said if I ever needed him, to send the dwarf and he would come.

Heb was polishing the silver when I burst into the kitchen, and I almost sobbed in relief. “I need Eldeorin, Heb. Please!”

He disappeared without a word, leaving me clinging to the granite countertop for support. Please, don’t let us be too late.

Desmund placed his strong hands on my shoulders and turned me to face him. Worry darkened his eyes. “What are you going to do when the faerie gets here, little one?”

“I’m going after Nikolas and Chris.”

“Nikolas would not want you to endanger yourself that way.”

“Don’t!” I pulled away and he let me go. “Don’t talk about him like he’s gone.”

He held up a hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend that the way it sounded. I only meant that if he was here, he would not be happy with what you are planning.”

“I know, but I won’t stand back and do nothing.” I clenched my hands anxiously. “Where the hell are they?”

“Cousin, what is wrong? Are you ill?”

I almost hurled myself at Eldeorin when he appeared beside me. “Nikolas is in trouble. He needs me.”