Concern suffused her features as Elena moved closer and took her hand. “Are you sure?”

“I can think of no other reason they are here. I move about, even outside the Citadel, I don’t sense them. Not ever. But if I am with Chu, anywhere outside the Citadel, in the Bay, by the sea, in the forest, they are always there.”

“Is Chu a master of the Mystic Arts?”

Serena shook her head. “He began his study, but he didn’t finish before he was forced to escape.”

“When did you first sense them?”

“Before we moved into Dunlyn.”

Elena’s head twitched. “That was weeks ago, Rena.”

“Yes,” Serena confirmed.

“If they wish to do as you think, would they not have done it?”

This question gave Serena pause.

“What do you wish to do?” Elena asked.

“Cast for them.”

Elena’s hand spasmed around hers.

“Rena,” she whispered. “That would take great magic. And we must build. We must conserve.”

“Yes, but I have much left from our ritual at The Cauldron. Even with my activities in Dunlyn, Ellie,” Serena replied.

“They slaughtered five entire families, sister,” Ellie reminded her. “They’ve stolen clothes. As such, we are led to believe they’ve taken human shape. And we have lost their trail. We have no idea where they are, what they look like, save one. Nor what they intend to do. Melisse and Lena are depleted. It will take months for them to cast a spell, even if they cast to form naught but a butterfly. We’ve lost the magic of Rebecca and Nandra. We need all the power we can get, my sister.”

“And if some unknown was following Cassius, with the possible intent to do him harm, what would you do?” Serena asked.

Serena should not have been surprised, but she was when happiness flooded Elena’s eyes.

“It is love between the two of you?”

“Yes,” Serena forced out.

She jumped when Elena pulled her in a tight embrace.

And in her ear, her sister whispered, “Then you must cast.” She pulled slightly away, though did not take her arms from about Serena, to ask, “Would you like some help?”

“I only wish to bring one forward. Talk to him. And when I do so, I would request Hera and Mac.”

Elena let her go then, querying, “Hera and Mac?”

“Mac, for he is gifted with a sword. I have not seen reflexes like his in any warrior. Hera, for I would wish her skills and magic at my side.”

“Not Heloise? Genia? Darma?”

“They are trying, but I feel those who understand what it is like to love will be more…committed to the effort.”

“This is wise,” Elena murmured before she queried, “Do you wish me to talk to them?”

“Would you?”

Elena smiled at her. “Of course.”

“You have my thanks,” Serena muttered.

Elena took hold of her, linking their arms and starting them down the hall that would lead them to Cassius’s study.