“Then I don’t know if Piscary bound you or not,” I said, then froze as I realized my scar was tingling, sending hints of deeper feelings to bring me to a wide-eyed alertness. Quen stiffened. Our eyes met, and I knew by his frightened look that he was feeling it too.

“Rache!” Jenks shouted, his wings red as he got in my face and forced me to back up. “Quen isn’t the only one with a problem here!”

I followed his frightened gaze behind me to Ivy. “Oh…crap,” I whispered.

Ivy had pressed herself into a corner, her robe falling open to show her black silk nightgown. Her awareness was lost, black eyes unseeing as her mouth worked. I froze, not knowing what was going on.

“Get him out of here,” she whispered, a bead of saliva dropping from her teeth. “Oh, God, Rachel. He’s not bound to anyone. Piscary…He’s in my head.” She took a gasping breath. “He wants me to take him. I don’t know if I can stop. Get Quen out of here!”

I stared, not knowing what to do.

“Get him out of my head!” she moaned. “Get him out!” Horrified, I watched her slide down the wall to huddle with her hands over her ears. “Get him out!”

Heart pounding, I spun to Quen. My neck was a flaming mass of promise. I could see by his expression that his scar was alight and flaming. God help me, it felt good.

“Get the door,” I said to Jenks. Grabbing Quen’s arm, I pulled him into the hallway. From behind us came a frightening guttural groan. I broke into a run, dragging Quen behind me. Quen stiffened when we entered the sanctuary, breaking my hold.

“You’re leaving!” I shouted, reaching for him. “Now!”

He was hunched and trembling, making the martial arts master look vulnerable. Lines from his internal struggle showed on his face. His eyes showed his broken spirit. “You will accompany Mr. Kalamack in my place,” he said, his voice haggard.

“No, I won’t.” I reached for his arm.

Flashing alive, he sprang back. “You will accompany Mr. Kalamack in my place,” he repeated, his face falling back into despair. “Or I will give in and go back into that kitchen.” His face twisted, and I panicked that he might anyway. “He’s whispering to me, Morgan. I can hear him through her….”

My mouth went dry. My thoughts spiraled to Kisten. If I let him bind me to him, I could end up like this. “Why me?” I asked. “There’s a university of people better at magic than I am.”

“Everyone else relies on their magic,” he panted, bent almost double. “You use it as a last resort. It gives you…the advantage.” He gasped. “She’s weakening. I can feel it.”

“Okay!” I exclaimed. “I’ll go, damn it! Just get out of here!”