“I will not help you destroy. I will not aid you in killing. But I owe you a debt, and when I discover what new purpose I have woken to, I will pay it as I am able. Hold tight to what you carry. You are Chosen, and I believe some part of your gift, as the Chosen of your generation, is being served by your decision. No other could have found what you sought, and no other could remove it from this place.”

Kaylin offered the Ancient what she hoped was a perfect bow. Power expected both respect and reasonable manners, after all.

She then rose, turned to the left, and walked—swiftly—through the arch, followed by Terrano and Hope.

They found themselves in the hallway directly in front of the empty painting.

Noise returned, and not a little of it; the clank of steel against steel—or chitin—rang down the hall. Given that the fighting had been taking place on the second floor, in a different direction, the sounds caused Kaylin’s anxiety to instantly peak.

“No one’s died yet,” Terrano said, his own eyes the indigo of Barrani worry. Or fear. Or rage. “Teela’s injured; she’s taken the brunt of the damage.”

But Kaylin had reached out immediately for Severn; she knew Teela wasn’t the only one injured.

You’re back—hurry.

Mrs. Erickson? she asked, as she began to run. Severn wasn’t looking at the old lady or her ghosts, the latter of which he couldn’t see.

She’s safe. With Sedarias’s help, Teela’s prevented any attempt Azoria has made to reach Mrs. Erickson.

Good. It’s Mrs. Erickson’s show, now—or it will be soon. She took the foyer stairs two at a time.

Had she not known where the room was, she would have had no difficulty finding it: the moment she reached the landing of the second story, she could hear the sounds of conflict. As she rounded a corner, she could see the flashes of light in different colors, and she could hear shouting and the sounds—like thunder—of magical combat. Closer, and she could see where whole sections of interior wall had come down. No one was fighting in the hall; when she’d left, Azoria had been just one side of the frame.

She couldn’t sprint and sneak a glimpse of the battlefield through Severn’s eyes, but she was close enough now it wasn’t necessary. Terrano kept pace with her; Sedarias might be angry, but she wasn’t terrified—not that she’d ever own it if she were. Terrano, however, would know.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” he said, raising his voice to be heard.

She nodded. She hoped Mrs. Erickson would understand what had to be done.