It had been frustrating to send her winds out before in search of a woman being killed, but what else could she do to help right now? Keth was torn up in spirit, too much so to attempt to make another globe. No one had mentioned it, but it was plain to Tris that they couldn t rely on the killer waiting a day in between strikes, not when hed taken Yali just a day after the previous victim.

She had to do something. Her breezes were all she had.

Tris looked around. Glaki and Little Bear had curled up together on the bed, the child watching the dog as he slept. Chime sat on the window sill beside Tris, cocking her head, her eyes curious.

you stay there a little while and be quiet?Tris asked Glaki. s something I need to do. Its going to be windy in here, but dont worry. Its just me. Im a mage. There are things I do with winds a nd breezes.She wasnt sure that the child understood, but she thought it did no harm to talk to her as if she could. Tris had never understood the need for adults to address children in baby-talk.

She walked over to the door and flung it wide, summoning her breezes from the courtyard. She also called any of the Khapik air currents that would respond, drawing them to her through door and window. In they sped, making blankets, curtains, skirts, hair and fur dance, spinning around Glaki, Little Bear and Chi me in curious explor ation before they circled Tris.

She let her power spill out around her, doing her best to magically convey the sounds she wanted to hear, frustrated because it would be so much easier if she could just see what they passed over. Only wh en she was sure that she could explain no more did she let them go. of Khapik, mind,she told them. street, every alley, every courtyard.

The breezes sped away to do as she asked. With a sigh, Tris lit the cheap tallow lamp, then sat on the bed, resting her back against the wall. Glaki inched over and tucked herself under Tris s left arm. Little Bear belly-crawled until he sandwiched between Glaki and the wall, then resumed his slumbers.

know, I lost my mother when I was small, and some of my aunts,Tris confided. She chose not to mention that her mother and aunts had not been lost to her through death. It was scary, going from house to house. Everyone has different ways of doing things, and they yell at you if you dont do them properly, have you noticed that?

Glaki nodded, her thumb firmly in her mouth.

Animals are always friendly, if you dont hurt them,Tris said. you can tell yourself stories just like your mother and your aunts tell you stories. You could tell yours elf stories about the family you will have one day. I have a wonderful family now. And you know, Glaki, that your mother and your aunt still love you, wherever they are.

Glaki took her thumb from her mouth. you cry?she asked.

cried like you did, where nobody would hear and yell at me, or slap me,replied Tris softly.

me about your family?asked the girl.

Tris was telling Glaki about the day Briar stole a miniature tree when she realized that Keth stood in the doorway. She glanced at the little girl, who was fast asleep. is everyone?Tris asked Keth in a whisper.

Keth replied abruptly. Theyre talking about a march to Balance Hill in the morning, to tell the Keepers that theyll stop working if something isnt done. Khapik brings a lot of money into the city, its the place foreigners usually visit first. Maybe the Keepers will listen.

Tris frowned. If that was true, that the district brought income to the city, what chance did Dema have of making the Keepers shut Khapik down?

Keth rubbed the white spot in his hair. Ill get a chair to take you home. You

Tris cut him off. re out of your mind,she said flatly. child just lost the two most important people in her life. Im not taking her from the only home she knows, and Im not leaving her with this lot. That Poppy slapped her, for Milas sake! Ive sent word to Niko. In the meantime, Im staying here.

shes not your problem,Keth protested. dont have to do this.

know how she feels,replied Tris. ve been in her shoes, or a pair that looked a lot like them. If Little Bear and Chime give her some comfort, Im not taking it away. Have you heard word from Dema?

This isnt necessary,argued Keth stubbornly.

Tris glared at him, refusing to share any more of her private miseries to explain why it was necessary. asked, have you word from Dema?

He might not know about her childhood, but he did understand the look on her face. He wandered to the window and leaned out,

Letting the rain fall on his head. least not that many yaskedasi are out working in this.Struck by an idea, he turned to Tris. Could you keep it raining a few days? The fewer people on the street, the fewer targets.

Tris shook her head. storms already moving on.

stop it,replied Keth.

Dont stop storms,she explained. usher them on, guide them down a path they might have taken anyway, but you cant stop them. Thats why you had a drought before this -someone was holding the rains in place across the sea. Besides, Keth, the rain wont stop him from killing. If he cant find someone on the street, hell go elsewhere.

Keth jammed his hands into his pockets. mean hell go to the nice, sheltered women of the city. Women with families who care what happens to them. Women who arent as shady as yaskedasi!

She had only meant that the killer would try the back alleys, the courtyard yaskedasi, or even go after Khapiks women in their homes. There was nothing in this room to stop anyone from coming in who wanted to; Yalis lock was even worse than Kethluns. It hadnt occurred to Tris that the killer might leave Khapik, to find victims in the rest of the city.

Once hed said it, though, the truth became clear. ll refuse him, wont they? The Keepers, and Dema. Between the money this place brings, and the risk the killer will go elsewhere, they wont let Dema shut Khapik down.