“Aves?” a whispered call came from behind a door. Salamin was relieved to hear Lane’s voice. She’d come back.

  “Come in, Lane.” Aleda called.

  Lane glanced between the two. “Has something happened?” She placed a cloth sack on the table.

  “No,” Aleda said, giving Salamin a warning glance. “You are right on time.”

  Aleda instructed Salamin to lie back on a cot in the corner, and she began preparing the concoction.

  Lane sat beside him. “You’re in good hands. She knows what she’s doing.”

  Aleda came back with a bowl of green paste. It burned and stung as she applied it, and Salamin gripped the edge of the cot, waiting for it to subside.

  “Luna, luna, passus,” Aleda said over him, her hands hovering over the wound as she concentrated.

  A wave of soothing relief passed over Salamin, and he felt his eyes growing heavy.

  There was a heavy knock on the front door, and Aleda paused. Lane and Aleda exchanged a glance. “Wait here. I’m not expecting visitors tonight.”

  Lane glanced out the window and gasped. “It’s the Order.”

  Salamin sat up, and the pain spiked through him. “Do they suspect her?”

  Lane continued to gaze out the window. “Aleda will keep us safe.”

  Not sharing her optimism, Salamin willed his body to move. The response was slow and sluggish.

  Voices grew louder, and Salamin heard Aleda’s voice loud and clear. “The Inn is closed tonight, honored mages. You are welcome to search if you feel the need.”

  “We need to hide,” Lane hissed, and Salamin slid his legs off the bed.

  The pain hit him with a punch, and for a moment he couldn’t catch his breath.

  “Under the cot, hurry,” she said, and they both crawled under and rolled to the back.

  “What’s in here?” a male voice called out, and the door to the back room opened. Salamin held his breath, and Lane’s hand dug into his shoulder.

  “I was just preparing some food,” Aleda said. “You are welcome to join me.”

  “No,” the mage said, “no need. We had a report that there were strangers in here. If you see a young female and male, contact us immediately. They are dangerous and they are thieves.”

  “I will report them immediately,” Aleda said.

  The footsteps continued to move around the room and then disappeared out into the hall. Salamin let out a deep breath as the door closed.

  They lay under the bed for what felt like an endless amount of time.

  The door opened again, and Aleda called out. “It’s clear. Come on out.”

  “How did they find us?” Salamin asked as Lane helped him to his feet.

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  “There are spies everywhere, trying to get in good with the Order,” Aleda said. “They have the entire town under their thumb.”

  Salamin moaned and sat in a chair near the fire. He watched the flames flicker and welcomed the warmth on his face. “Why do you stay, Aleda?” he asked.

  “I stay for people like Lane and her brother. They keep me going.” Aleda moved to the counter, her back to them, as she began chopping.

  Soon, the aroma of spices and meat filled the room.

  It was late into the night when Aleda finished the healing, and the pain became more tolerable. The red streaks faded to a light pink. Aleda had done it.

  Salamin closed his heavy eyes. The exhaustion was severe, and he didn’t even want to move a hand.

  He heard Lane and Aleda speaking silently as dishes clanked.

  Lane brought a bowl of stew, and Salamin swore he had never smelled anything so good in his life. It was the first time food had passed his lips since the curse. He let the hot steam flow up into his eyes and mouth. He scooped slowly, spoonful by spoonful, and savored each bite. Soon his energy returned, and his mind emerged from the haze.

  Aleda sat on the floor on a woven mat and finished her stew in silence.

  “I need to speak to both of you,” Aleda said at last, setting her bowl down. “You will both need a disguise. It will be a complete disguise. The mages will only see what they expect, not what you are. I will attempt to weave a spell tonight.” She inclined her head. “It will change your outer appearance, and they will not be able to read your oaths. Do you understand?”

  Lane set her spoon down. “That sounds like a curse, Aleda.”

  “It’s dangerous,” Aleda said, nodding. “One wrong step, and the curse can destroy…” She paused, glancing out into the night. “Sal needs to enter the initiation. And you, Lane, you must get back to your people. Without your brother, they need your leadership more than ever.”

  Lane shook her head. “No, I can’t leave him, Aleda. That isn’t an option.”

  Aleda rose to her feet. “They almost killed you Ta’Lane. I held you in my arms when you born, watched you grow.” She blinked her eyes and wiped a tear with her sleeve. “Your brother knew the risks, and he puts your people ahead of himself. You are the hope of the Devold, and one of the last.”

  Lane stood up and glared at Aleda. “Thoran doesn’t know how strong I am, Aleda, he thinks I’m still a little girl.” She fingered the chain around her neck. “I’m going to find him and bring him back.”

  Aleda stepped closer, arms crossed and chin raised. “I made an oath to your brother. I don’t take that lightly.”

  “You can’t stop me.” Looking between Aleda and then Salamin, Lane stormed for the door.

  “Congela,” Aleda called, as wisps of energy infused the room.

  Lane stopped dead in her tracks, facing the door. The spell had stopped her in her tracks. “No. No.” Lane said. “I won’t be stopped. I’ll never stop.” She squeezed her eyes shut and, grimacing with great effort, moved her feet inch by inch to the door.

  Aleda sighed and waved her hand. “Her willpower,” she said, as she released the spell.

  Without hesitation, Lane sprinted out the door and into the night.

  “Let her go,” Aleda said, holding up a hand. “She’ll come back after she cools off. She knows I’m right.” Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “For now, you have come at the five year Ligere, the Choosing. The Order is taking in potential Initiates.”

  Salamin raised his brows. As a young man, he’d entered the Order on the Ligere. His pulse quickened. This was his chance to get inside. A chance to get to Haldar and finish what was started.

  Aleda nodded solemnly. “They take young, down on their luck people. There are dark rumors floating around. I fear what they’ve become. This is not the Order of old.”

  “What are the rumors?” Salamin asked.

  She drew in a breath and looked back at the door. “They say many never return. Initiates come and are never heard from again. I have my suspicions.” She paused, her forehead creased. “If my spell works, they will see you as an unbound. You will not be able to use your moonpath powers, or the spell could be broken. It will be dangerous.”

  “Where do I start?”

  “Go to the Keep. I’ll give you directions to the outside of town. When you are there, you will declare your oath and intention. They will see you as an unbound.” She shook her head. “Even then, the chances are slim to none of being chosen. Young ones trek in from surrounding towns just to get a chance at a better life. The Order has hundreds wanting to get in.

  Aleda poked the fire with her stick. The wood was now glowing embers. “I have to prepare for the spell,” she said into the hearth. “Goddess bring Lane home safely.” She nodded to Salamin and left the room.

  Salamin was alone now. He glanced out the window to the empty street beyond. His mind kept wandering back to Lane. He remembered the lullaby she had sung, and the words echoed in his mind as he lay back on the cot. Soon his eyes grew heavy, and sleep took him.