“Wow, you look terrible,” was the first thing Kaylin heard when she could safely open her eyes again. She didn’t need to see the speaker to recognize him.

“Don’t be rude,” Helen said to Terrano. “She is not feeling well.”

“What was rude about that? She does look terrible.”

“I look about as good as I feel.”

“What happened?”

Kaylin was seated in the parlor, in a chair that was more cushion than structural furniture, which suited her at the moment, as she didn’t have the fortitude to sit up straight. She found deep breaths helpful, and took a few before she tried to answer.

“I went into the room Helen created for our new guests. It was fine—I mean, it looked like an oddly colored pool of honey or molasses. Helen didn’t see it the same way.”

Terrano grimaced. “She wouldn’t let me enter, so I couldn’t check. Sedarias was against it, given what purportedly happened to the Dragon.”

“How was Sanabalis?” Kaylin asked Helen.

“You can ask him yourself; he’s been waiting for you to recover. I believe, given the color of his eyes, he is somewhat concerned, but he is far more adept at hiding his thoughts than most of your guests.”

“He’s still here?”

“He has—and I quote—‘canceled all appointments for the rest of the evening,’ one of which includes the Emperor. Are you feeling up to speaking with him?”

“He’s not leaving until we talk, is he?”

“I don’t think so, dear—unless you wish me to forcibly eject him.”

Kaylin grimaced. “I like my job.” Her legs were wobbly, but she rose. “And I’m feeling better—portal nausea doesn’t usually last.”

“No. But, Kaylin, there was no portal. It’s possible the protections I put in place to keep you safe caused the same reaction—they are not protections I have employed until now.”

Terrano, bright-eyed and interested, bounced between Helen’s Avatar and Kaylin. “What protections?”

“Terrano, now is not a good time.” Kaylin’s jaw was slightly clenched. She knew she had as much chance of getting rid of Terrano as she did of getting rid of Sanabalis. Or less.

“I can create a space around Kaylin—and only Kaylin—due to the nature of our contract. It is expensive, in terms of power; should I come under attack, it would be difficult to properly defend myself while maintaining it. I did not expect she would be attacked, but it is clear to me that these guests are impulsive, given their possession of Lord Sanabalis.” She emphasized the title.

“The Arkon,” Kaylin said, trying not to feel petty.

“But those protections were in place for the entirety of your time in that space; you did not react to them until the guests began to influence the space.”