down. “But it was insufficient. That kind of magic does not react the way yours or mine does. His healing works because it is so closely connected to his emotions. But the other abilities Emane has are hampered by our inability to describe how to use them.” Lomay sat straighter but still would not look at her. “Sixty years ago a Witow was born. I had a vision of his birth and was waiting as his mother realized what he was. I took the child and hid it away for his own safety.” Lomay stopped before amending. “And for my own purposes.” He rolled his walking stick in a small circle on the floor as Kiora’s apprehension grew. His demeanor was so different than usual, and she bit her tongue to prevent herself from demanding what he had done.
“I knew Emane would be a Witow,” Lomay finally continued. “I had seen it. And I had seen his armband. I suspected what it was. I fashioned this Witow something of a similar idea, although nothing as secure as what Eleana managed to come up with. This Witow, Drem, has spent his life learning how to harness the gift I gave him. I gave him only one condition when I bestowed him with magic—that he teach the Protector.” Lomay finally turned to look at her. “I dropped Emane off there a few hours ago.”
“You what?” Kiora’s eyes darted around the room. She reached out for Emane’s thread, trying to understand what was happening. He wasn’t in the camp. Emane was gone; he had left her. “Emane agreed to leave?” she asked.
“No.” Lomay cleared his throat. “I tricked him. And then I left him there.”
Kiora jumped out of bed. “Lomay!” Lomay’s eyes were still on the ground, refusing to look at her. “How could you?” Kiora’s hands were shaking, and she knotted them in the sides of her shirt. “He is my Protector . . . he . . . oh, no,” she groaned grabbing the sides of her head. “He will be furious. We have to get him.”
“No,” Lomay said firmly, his eyes flicking up to meet hers. “He has to stay.” Lomay stood, leaning his walking stick against the bed. He placed one hand on each of Kiora’s shoulders. “I knew neither of you would agree to this. Our timetable has been moved up—the Shadow knows you are here. I do not know how much longer we have before the battle. If you and Emane are to survive, you must have the training you need. Your training lies here. Emane’s does not.”
Kiora hesitated and Lomay saw it. “Listen to your feelings, Kiora,” Lomay said, patting her shoulders before stepping back. “You know I am right.”
Kiora turned away, crossing her arms. Emane did need to know how to use his gifts. He had his healing, and he was getting better at using magic to enhance his abilities with weapons. But if someone could teach him how to use his magic, really use it . . . Kiora wavered. She had tried to ignore how vulnerable Emane was here because there was nothing she could do about it. Although she was still fuming about Lomay’s methods, he was right. “How long?” she asked.
“A week, maybe more. Just long enough for him to understand the basics. Then we should be able to bring him here to practice.”
“Why couldn’t you just bring the other Witow here?” Kiora demanded, turning back to face him.
“As I said, Drem’s magical piece is not nearly as secure as Emane’s. I do not want the Shifters to get their hands on it. Especially after yesterday.”
Kiora sank back to the bed. “I am still not clear on what happened yesterday. Alcander let me know I almost got them killed,” she said, trying to ignore the stab of guilt she felt. “But that was all.”
Lomay relayed the Shifter’s attack and Emane’s heroics. “The Shifter should never have made it out of the cave with his intentions.” Lomay cleared his throat again, his eyes moving back to the floor.
“What?” she asked. “What else is there?”
“I have asked Drustan to live with the Shifters for now, under the guise of being a
slave, to see what he can discover.”
“Guise?” Kiora bristled.
“You have so little faith in me? I gave Drustan my word.”
“I do not know you very well, and you just stole Emane away in the middle of the night without a word to any of us.”
“Ahh,” Lomay nodded. “But you have your feelings, your