"Yeah, sorry about that. We just figured it was better keeping it quiet."
Vinia shushed them both. "It doesn't matter now. Just find my daughter. The last time shit like this happened, they were trying to sell people to the circus or something."
Drake returned with the other two brothers. "Let's fly. Sarah needs us."
Vinia stepped off the porch. "Don't think you're leaving without me."
All four Hale boys protested. Colton held up his hand for silence. "Ma, really. There's no need for you to go. Someone needs to stay here in case Sarah comes home."
"Oh, bullshit." Vinia pushed him out of her way. "I'm going with or without you. I remember how to get there, you know. I may be old, but I'm not crippled."
Knowing the fight was already lost, Luke didn't waste any more time by arguing. He shifted and took to the sky, with five other dragons right behind him. He felt comforted on the flight back that he wasn't in this alone. If Sarah was anywhere in the Sacred Gardens, one of them would find her.
They landed right outside of the castle, and Luke put his hands up to hold off the guards. "I know it's my law that no one flies into the city, but I'm breaking it right now because it's an emergency situation." He introduced each of the Hales. "They are to be treated as our most important guests, and they have my permission to access any part of the Sacred Gardens with no question. Am I clear?"
Once he was certain the guards would spread the word to leave the Hales alone, they hurried inside. Luke told them of Larisa's and his grandmother's illness as they walked the long corridor. Dr. Seneel was just coming out of Tuva's room when they approached.
"How is she?"
"She's doing better. She's awake if you want to talk to her." The doctor looked at the others, and his eyes suddenly lit up. "Vinia Hale. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes."
Luke watched in amazement as the grumpy old doctor suddenly became a charming gentleman. He noticed the brothers had the same looks on their faces as they watched their mother.
"Dr. Seneel." Vinia kissed his cheek as she greeted him. "How have you been? It seems a lifetime ago that you were helping me with Sarah."
Luke left them talking while he went into Tuva's abode. "How are you?"
She was sitting in a chair with her feet up. "Like I got run over by a herd of horses." She shook her head. "I just don't understand."
"I don't either, but I have to run." He told her a quick version of Sarah's disappearance. "I have to find her."
"I'd watch that Kayleigh girl. I don't trust her."
"Because I turned her down?"
"Of course because you turned her down. That girl is gold digging, and you were supposed to be her treasure. And with your father's help, she had it made. Sarah caused everything to go down the drain."
"Where do we find her?" Drake asked from the door. He walked in when Luke and Tuva both turned to look at him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I heard what you said. Who is Kayleigh?"
"Come on, I'll take you to her."
"Be careful," Tuva called after him. "If they'll poison an old lady, they'll poison you worse."
Luke stopped once they were all gathered out in the hallway. Dr. Seneel had gone on to his office. "I don't want to alarm you, but if you eat or drink anything around here, make sure you know where it came from."
They stopped and checked on Larisa before they went to find Kayleigh. She was back in the infirmary running tests again. "I couldn't stay in bed. Once the initial wave of sickness left, I was bored."
"Have you found anything?"
Larisa shook her head. "Nothing. I don't know what else to try."
Tyson stepped forward. "Have you tried plant-based poisons?"
"The common ones," she answered. "What are you thinking?"
"Well, there are plenty of normal plants that are toxic if ingested. I've had to learn a few of them because we've lost horses to otherwise innocent plants in the pastures."
Drake sighed. "Why don't you stay here and help her while we go search? Two birds with one stone."
