“Yes. That was his name. He now goes by Martin.”
“Where is he? Where did that man take him?”
“To Eallarial. Dmitri is negotiating his return.”
Peter ran a hand through his tangled hair, tugging the roots. “He should negotiate faster.”
“He has. Already the demons have stopped their attacks. The lower city dwellers are burying their dead.”
Peter bolted upright. “Addie. I must see if Addie still lives. If she needs anything.”
Gaveth put a hand on Peter’s arm. “It’s not safe for you out there.”
“Why not? I—”
“Need to be here, learning your role. You could go out there and help one person, or stay here, preparing to help many. What would she want you to do?”
Yeah. Addie had spent seasons saving all the mage-born she could. If Peter risked himself unnecessarily, he’d be better off facing a pack of demons than one pissed-off barmaid.
And if Addie was safe somewhere, she’d be looking out for the kitchen girl and the tavern regulars. She’d never had young of her own, so she mothered everyone who held still long enough for her to fawn over.
She also knew where Peter had hidden the remainder of the bounty he’d taken from theSeabird,and understood he’d want her to use it as needed.
He stared back into the now-still water. “What must I do?”
“If your mage bond works the way most do, you’re the focus, while Martin will wield the power.”
“And I need to…”
“Meditate.”
Peter sat in an underground cavern for two days, cross-legged on a mat. At least, he thought it was two days. He’d slept once and occasionally found food and drink close by. Sometimes he ate, other times, he didn’t.
A silver bowl sat over a small brazier, scenting the room with lavender. Only the brazier and a single candle offered light. Outside could be day or night. Occasionally, chanting or the clang of swords pulled his attention away—the priests readying for the battle they told him nothing about.
He let his mind drift, recalling the image from the pool. Martin. The mere thought seemed to hook something behind Peter’s heart, pull and pull and pull…
“Peter?”
Peter opened his eyes, expecting his hallucination to have been for only his ears.
Martin stood in the shadows, skin pale and glowing, like the priests’. Peter’s heart skipped a beat. Martin? Here? Now? He stood, wiping the seat of his pants of two days’ worth of dust. “Martin? Are you really here?”
Martin gave a grim smile. “Yes, but I don’t know how I’m here. I’m back there too.” He glanced over his shoulder. All Peter saw was the cavern he sat in.
He dove into Martin’s arms, touching him, feeling warm skin. He pulled back and stared deeply into Martin’s eyes. “Are you okay? Has he hurt you?”
“He hasn’t hurt me. He’s training me.” Martin gazed around the room. “Good. They’ve brought you to the temple. Have they told you of Thomoth?”
“The Lady? Or what we call ‘the Lady.’ Yes. They are teaching me to meditate and be what you need me to be during the upcoming battle.”
“How’s Addie? You don’t know him, but I’d like word about Commander Enys and my fellow guards.”
“I’m not allowed to leave the temple.” Peter didn’t bother keeping the bitterness from his voice.
Martin nodded. “It’s better that way. I don’t know when, but I’ll be back soon.”
“You’re here now.”
