“There has to be some way to get them to listen,” Anne said. “Otherwise it’ll turn into a battle, and the longer that goes on the harder it’ll be to stop.”

“Can you think of anything?” I said. “Because Luna’s right—they really didn’t seem interested in talking things out.”

Anne bit her lip, thinking. “Could we try the Council?” Luna asked. “What about Talisid?”

“He’s still in Russia from that business last month, and I can’t think of any other Council mages I’d trust with this.”

“What about Caldera?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, Caldera was asking about Richard,” Luna said. “Then the same day, these guys go after you. It’s probably not a coincidence, right?”

I thought about it. “Caldera was looking into rumours of Richard coming back,” I said. “Maybe those same rumours are the reason Will’s group made their move now.”

“If she’s a Keeper, she’d know more about these guys, wouldn’t she?” Luna said.

“More bloody Keepers,” Variam muttered.

“What happened to Catherine?” Anne asked.

Luna and Variam looked at Anne in surprise. “You mean back then?” I said. “She was alive when I escaped. Beyond that . . . I don’t know.”

“Maybe she’s still alive,” Anne said.

“Didn’t Will tell Alex she was dead?” Luna asked.

“But he also thought Alex killed her,” Anne said. “If he was wrong about that, maybe he’s wrong about her being dead too.”

I sighed. “I’d like to believe it, but . . . I don’t know. Odds aren’t good.”

“It’s possible though, isn’t it?” Anne said. “And if she is alive, you could find her.”

“I guess,” I said reluctantly. “But Anne, it was ten years ago. It’s one hell of a cold trail.”

“But think about what would happen if you did,” Anne said. “It would take away this boy’s reason to go after you, wouldn’t it?” She looked at me. “You said you wanted a way to deal with these adepts without having to fight them. Even if you can’t find Catherine, you might turn up something that helps.”

Variam and Luna looked at each other, then at me. “I guess it’s worth a try,” Variam said unwillingly.

“Where would you look, though?” Luna asked.

“It’s not where.” My heart sank as I said it. “It’s who. There’s only one person who’d know.”

* * *