“Spirit link?” he asked.
I nodded.
We both rushed out of the training compound. I shoutedan apology to Lhorine, then we were out and away, racing across campus, my spirit guiding me, pulling me toward Vyns.
Thankfully, he wasn’t on the brink of death when we found him. He didn’t look good, but he looked better than Tala, whom he held in his arms. Whether from my spirit-link with him or my training in magic in general, I was able to sense him feeding spirit to Tala to help her hold on.
Both of them had been attacked, the assailants long gone, but I knew who’d sent them.
I reached Vyns and knelt next to Tala.
He looked up, tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Izzy, I tried to protect her, but…”
I saved my words for later, laying my hands on my friend to feel for her injuries. I’d heal the serious ones first, then save my strength. Vyns looked like he’d be able to walk and as long as both of them were safe and not going to die, I’d conserve my energy, I needed it to train, since I was far from where I needed to be.
Tala’s wounds were nasty, but someone had been very careful in beating her, maximizing pain, while minimizing risk of death. They’d wanted her to live…
…because this was a message:I can get to your friends.
Saldrea must have had people watching Tala’s room day and night, in case she returned. It reminded me of the stark difference in our resources. She had all the money and practically the entire world on her side. I had a few friends and my grandmother’s wealth.
I healed the worst of Tala’s wound, till she roused.
“And you?” I asked Vyns. “Can you walk?”
He nodded.
Koar carried Tala, while Vyns limped along and I kept an eye out for anyone still watching us. I didn’t want Saldreato find our secret base. There were many prying eyes, curious onlookers, as we made our way across campus, but no one stayed with us for long.
We got Tala back to the compound and made sure she was resting comfortably before I broke down.
Shakes took me, and I had to sit, losing my strength.
I couldn’t live like this, my friends — my chosen family — always in danger, not able to go out for the simplest things.
Wait…
Rook.
I’d assumed I hadn’t seen him since the match because he didn’t want to be around me anymore… but what if something had happened to him?
My strength returned instantly, and I shot to my feet.
“I need to go out again,” I said as Koar returned from getting Vyns settled.
“You need to train,” Lhorine said, stern. “You still have so much to learn.”
“I will, but I need to check on Rook, make sure he’s okay.”
Koar nodded and the two of us headed out once more.
We were admitted to Svokol’s house and when I asked if Rook was here and healthy, the servant nodded.
I sighed, relieved.
But all the built-up tension thrumming through me wouldn’t go away so easily. My anxiety turned to frustration and irritation.
“Where is he?” I asked the servant who’d greeted us.
