have been chosen to come.”
It was something she had to look into.
More and more, she grew increasingly certain that something else was going to take place here within the city of Nelar, but more and more, she wasn’t sure whether there was anything she could even do to influence it. She could feel it as it continued to build around her, this power that would attempt to release Sarenoth.
Could this decay magic be tied into it?
It would fit.
She focused on the barrier again and glanced over to Char. “I think it’s safe for us to get going.” She was stepping forward when Char took her wrist.
“There’s something else too.”
“What now?”
“I’ve been looking into your friend.”
“Which one?” Jayna asked carefully, though she knew. He’d been looking into Eva’s past. Not that she could blame him.
“I read a reference about her kind of magic. Some sort of smoke power.”
Jayna tensed even more. If there was something he'd uncovered about Eva, then maybe it would help. They had not learned nearly enough to understand why she had the power that she did, only that she had some potential. Maybe there were things Eva wasn’t telling her, which wouldn’t surprise Jayna at all. Eva had control over her power, something she wouldn’t necessarily possess if she didn’t understand it. Still, she claimed she didn’t remember what she was. She didn’t remember who she was.
“You need to be careful with that,” she said.
Char shrugged. “Considering you’re spending so much time around her, I thought it made sense for me to dig a bit. What I found was that the type of magic she has is an ancient power.”
“All magic is an ancient power,” Jayna said.
“This is different. It’s tied to a creature of magic, not a person. I didn’t find any references to any people using this type of magic.”
She studied him. “Don’t keep digging into her.”
“I’m just trying to help you.”
Jayna sighed. Char could be helpful, but not if he angered Eva. “If you want to help, look into the name Sarenoth, but carefully.”
“That’s this dark being?”
Jayna nodded.
“I don’t know how much I’ll be able to do without getting into trouble with Master Agnew. He’s already concerned about what I’m doing. I think he knows I’m somehow connected to what’s happening in the city.”
Jayna chuckled. “You’re not connected to what’s happening in the city. But I am.” She released the protection around the wall, and looked out into the street. The crowd had dissipated. She looked over to Char. “Maybe the next time you come out to the city, you’ll leave your robes behind.”
“I’m a member of the Society. I shouldn’t have to hide that.”
“You shouldn’t have to, but if you want to move safely, you will. Besides, it doesn’t change who you are just because you’re not wearing the robes.”
Char glanced along the street before peeling off the robe, then he folded it up, inside out, so it looked like a bundle of black cloth. Underneath the robe, he had on a simple brown shirt and black pants. He could have been anybody in the city.
“Why didn’t you do that before?”
“I told you. I shouldn’t have to hide what I am.”
Jayna grunted. “I do.”
“You have to because you . . .” Char forced a smile. “That was thoughtless of me.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“I was thinking it.”
“Just be careful.” She stepped out and motioned for him to follow. “I can get you back to the outpost.”
“I can make it on my own.”
“I know you can. I just figure that it might be safer if I go with you.”
He smiled. They were quiet the rest of the way to the outpost. The small, squat, stone building loomed at the edge of the city. There was an energy to it, the power of dozens of spells and enchantments that were placed within the stone, offering the sorcerers inside a measure of protection. Jayna didn’t have to fear anything happening to him once he went inside—at least, as long as there weren’t any dark sorcerers within.
“Look into that name. Let me know what you uncover.”
“Be careful, Jayna. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
She grinned. “You know I’m always careful.”
A sudden pulsing on the dragon stone ring tore her attention away, and she looked into the distance. When she turned back to him, she found Char watching her, a deep frown on his face.
“Go.”
Char took her hand for a moment and squeezed it, sending a strange energy washing through her. When he released his hand, she