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  Once in better view, Colin knew instantly what they were building.

  “Pyres,” he spoke ominously.

  63

  Bird landed on the ground softly, next to them and nodded in agreement. A sinking feeling nearly made Colin become sick. What were they planning? This meadow was easily twice as wide as the meadow the Svoda camped in, and pyres dotted nearly the entire space. Colin tried to count but lost track after forty-three.

  Even more suspicious, was that in the center of each pyre, shot up a single pole, with tethers clearly meant for tying up something or someone.

  “I think we need to leave,” Colin advised. “I don’t know what this means, but we definitely need to warn the others!”

  “I agree,” Catrina said. “Something about this is very wrong.” Bird led the way and bade them farewell at the edge of the Svoda’s meadow. Colin took off the cloaking spell that made him invisible. He stepped out from behind a tent and directly into Ivan Crane.

  “Colin! Hello!” Ivan said, astonished at the sudden appearance. He also nodded cautiously at the emptiness next to Colin, assuming Catrina stood by his side.

  “She says hi, but never mind that right now. I need your help! Is there somewhere we can talk?” he whispered.

  Ivan’s face turned serious and he motioned for them to follow. He stopped at the Mochrie tent, which was empty.

  “Nowhere is truly safe, but this should suffice.”

  Colin undid the spell on Catrina so Ivan could see her.

  “We left the meadow,” Colin admitted.

  “Why should it not surprise me that you’re breaking the rules?” Ivan said dryly.

  “Doesn’t matter right now, Ivan. We came across the treasure hunters. They’re up to something.”

  “Something very bad,” Catrina added.

  Colin then explained the field of pyres, and as he did so, Ivan’s face turned at first concerned and then furious.

  “There is definitely more going on than the Stripers are admitting,” he agreed.

  “The problem is, how do we warn everyone? We weren’t supposed to leave the meadow…

  We shouldn’t have seen anything… ”

  Ivan and Colin stared at each other for a long while.

  “The Banon must be made aware. This is too important to hide,” Ivan finally spoke.

  “Wait!” Catrina said. “I think I have an idea.”

  Colin and Ivan listened as she explained.

  “Will she go along with it?” asked Ivan, after Catrina had finished.

  “She’ll have to!” Colin said. “It’s the only safe way.” Colin then attempted to reach Meghan through his mind. She did not answer.

  Ivan looked at Colin with a questioning face. Colin surrendered to the moment.

  “Meghan and I, we can hear each others’ thoughts,” he admitted.

  “That actually explains a lot,” Ivan said.

  64

  Colin was not sure why he let Ivan in on their secret, but thus far, though temperamental, Ivan had never done anything to show he could not be trusted.

  “She’s not answering right now, though,” Colin told them.

  “She is training with the Banon,” Ivan replied. I just left there when I happened upon you.” He then darted to the door. “I will make an excuse to return and somehow tell Meghan to …

  read your mind, or however it works. This cannot wait. Lives could depend on this information.” Ivan dashed away.

  Colin recast his spell on Catrina and departed the Mochries’ tent, heading for Billie’s. With each step he took, he kept a wary eye searching for Pajak. All he hoped was that this news of the pyres would be enough to sidetrack Juliska Blackwell, until he had a chance to deal with the spying spider that most likely, had seen Catrina.

  11

  After catching up with his parents, Sebastien Jendaya found himself standing at the front door of Amelia Cobb’s office.

  “Come in,” he heard her say.

  He put on a smile and entered.

  “Please, sit, Sebastien. Would you like anything to drink, or eat?” she asked, refilling a coffee mug.

  Sebastien patted his stomach.

  “I think my mother just fed me all of the meals I missed over the last couple of weeks, and the ones I will most likely miss over the coming weeks,” he replied.

  Amelia chuckled.

  “I really lucked out with you, Sebastien. When I planted you as a young boy, to befriend the Jacoby twins, I had no idea what an asset you would become to me.” Sebastien just nodded. You neglected to tell me the part about how they would suffer…

  “And yet I feel like I have stolen your childhood,” she admitted apologetically.

  “Like you always say, we all have our part to play. And for mine, I will do whatever I can to help my friends.”

  “Yes. It at least gives me slight comfort that you became so close over the years.” And that is somehow supposed to make all of this okay? Sebastien reined in his thoughts.

  This was the wrong place to let his true feelings show.

  “I’ve had contact,” Sebastien informed her. “I got a call from Meghan. Her skills as a Firemancer are advancing.”

  “Splendid!” Amelia cried. “This is good news indeed. And we needed some, after what’s been going on these last weeks.”

  65

  “My dad told me about the Projector. Has any decision been made?”

  “Debates are ongoing. The entire community has weighed in at this point, but everyone has a different view on the matter, as I’m sure you can imagine. But our goals remain the same.

  The only question is, if this Projector can get us there, or will keep us from succeeding.”

  “Frankly, I don’t see how it’s possible that a Projector could be of any use. I only know what I learned in school of course,” Sebastien added.

  “And many agree with you, my young friend. It is difficult to see how harnessing a Projector’s power could help us return magic to its full glory. I fear the child is lost. If not by our hand, then another’s.”

  “It’s hard to imagine,” he said, “having magic return. Do you think the world is really ready for it?”

  “This is why we have worked so hard to get people in the right places, Sebastien. To be certain that when we heal the world, and return magic, that we can control the situation.

  We will be ready to teach and return this world to what it once was. Won’t it be nice not to hide anymore?”

  Sebastien thought about that question for a long minute before answering. He felt as though he had been hiding his entire life.

  “That will be nice, yes.”

  His thoughts shifted to his new quest and the secrets he had discovered. Not having to hide, lie or betray would be very nice, but not for the reasons Amelia Cobb had stated.

  Sebastien did not know if returning magic was a good idea or not, but since the revelation that his friends were involved in Amelia’s plans, and from the little information he had been able to squeeze from her or his parents, his gut told him his friends were in serious trouble.

  What Sebastien did not understand is how their Uncle Arnon could have allowed all of this to happen… then again, it was likely that Arnon had no more idea than he did, as to what Amelia was planning.

  “Well, onto business,” Amelia continued. “As Meghan is now calling, I think it best to wait until she contacts you again. From what my other informant has told me, she is not yet ready to know the truth, and therefore, what she will need to do. They feel the time is nearing, however.”

  Typical vague answer … Sebastien wanted to kick himself. You need to keep it together until you know what’s really going on!

  “Until then, Sebastien, continue with your current work.”

  “Very well,” Sebastien said. He could not get out of her office fast enough.

  The one thing he was sure of: he was running out of time to help Meghan.

  And what of Colin? Amelia never mentioned him in any
specific manner, but he could feel that she was hiding something…

  Sebastien wished now, more than ever, that he had come clean with the twins. He wished he had told them everything he knew about magic and who they were believed to be. He wished he had given them some warning about what was to come.

  All I can do is try and help them now … and hope that I can…

  66

  Sebastien could not wait to leave home, again. He knew, however, that he needed to look pleased to be home and not in a hurry to leave… other than looking eager to get back to work.

  Now that he knew Meghan’s mother was alive, he wanted to disappear. To take what he knew and help his friends. He feared that what he knew was not enough. He could, at least, tell them they could go home whenever they wanted… tell them that their Uncle Arnon was …

  “You know you have to stay,” he told himself as he approached home. “Meghan’s mother is right. There is so much more at stake, and I can’t mess this up!” He took out the candle meant for Meghan.

  His lives were colliding.

  His job for Ameila Cobb.

  His friendship with the twins.

  His quest to save them.

  His duty to his family and his fellow banished Svoda.

  The job he had been trained for his entire life… to befriend, report and eventually, to betray …

  12

  Ivan poked his head into the Banon’s tent. Jelen and Jenner did not question his return, seeing as Ivan visited a few times each day.

  “Pantin, Hollee,” he said.

  She perked up at seeing his face.

  “Back so soon,” she joked.

  “I had to pass back by and ran into Ms. Jacoby’s brother. Told him I’d pass along a message.”

  “The Banon just departed, the meeting starts soon you know,” she reminded. “Meghan’s in her room,” she pointed, while organizing a stack of papers.

  “Thank you!” Ivan rapped at the entrance to Meghan’s room.

  “Come in,” her voice called out. Meghan sat on the floor with Nona by her side, reading.

  Her face turned sour as she saw it was Ivan.

  “Meghan, I have a message for you from your brother,” he told her, loud enough for the Pantin to hear.

  “From Colin?” she asked, standing.

  67

  “He asked me to pass along that he’d like to hear from you,” he said with an edge of knowingness.

  Her eyes narrowed and then grew large. She immediately opened up her thoughts and realized he had been trying desperately to reach her.

  “Colin, I’m sorry,” she sent him. “I was so focused on my studies I didn’t hear you.” She added hotly, “Why on earth did you tell Ivan about our telepathy?”

  “Sorry, Sis. Didn’t feel like I had a choice.” Colin then opened up his mind and showed her what he had seen in the Striper’s meadow.

  “What do you think they’re doing?” she asked him, as horrified about the scene as the others.

  “We don’t know. But Ivan is right, Juliska needs to know.” Colin then sent her Catrina’s idea.

  “Oh, I agree, Col. I don’t see any other safe way either.” Meghan then refocused on Ivan, still waiting in her room. “C’mon,” she motioned, stepping into the front room. The Pantin was just about to leave, but stopped when she saw Ivan and Meghan.

  “Thank you for passing along my brother’s message, Ivan,” Meghan said. “Please tell him I will visit as soon as I can.”

  Ivan then went to the stove.

  “Fire’s nearly out. It’s rather chilly don’t you think?” Ivan opened up the stove, adding a log, without waiting for an answer.

  “Isn’t he just sweet,” the Pantin aimed toward Meghan, clearly seeing concern from Ivan that was not truly there.

  Ivan just needed to get a fire in front of Meghan’s eyes. The instant he opened the door Meghan fell into a vision, except this time, she was faking.

  “Wait!” she shouted at the Pantin. “I need to see Banon Blackwell, now!” Meghan pretended to falter and Ivan steadied her. “Please, Hollee,” Meghan said then. “I think what I’ve just seen might prove dangerous for everyone here.”

  The Pantin did not question and rushed off.

  Ivan let go of Meghan.

  “Not bad, huh.”

  “I have never questioned your acting ability,” he retorted.

  “Whatever,” she replied.

  “It shows promise, at least, that when you saw the fire you didn’t have an actual vision,” he taunted.

  “Especially seeing as you’re so near,” she threw back at him.

  For once, Ivan did not reply and remained silent until Juliska returned. Then, Meghan told her what she had seen.

  “A field of pyres, created by the Stripers?” She sat down, aghast at the thought. She then unexpectedly took hold of Meghan’s hand. “Thank you, Meghan. I knew having you here would not be a mistake. This could be the very clue we so desperately needed.” She then arose to depart.

  68

  “Back to the meeting?” asked the Pantin.

  “Yes. We must decide what to do about this. I fear that once again, time is not on our side, my dear Hollee.”

  Ivan followed, leaving Meghan alone. She reopened her mind to Colin.

  “It’s done. She knows. They’re meeting about it right now.” She sensed her brother’s relief.

  “Thanks, Sis. Sorry to make you lie.”

  “Ah. What’s new?” she retorted. “Why did you leave the meadow?” she then questioned.

  “Just needed some space,” he said honestly. “Plus, I wanted to talk to Catrina. We’re back at Billie’s now.”

  “Oh. Did you find out anything new about Catrina?”

  “Only things you’re not going to like to hear, Sis.”

  She knew he meant that Juliska was somehow involved.

  “Colin, Juliska couldn’t have had anything to do with abandoning Catrina in that cave,” she defended.

  “Maybe you’re right,” he said. “But Catrina seems to think that maybe she did.”

  “And you believe her, a near stranger, more than your own sister, who lives with Juliska Blackwell?” Meghan’s temper began to flare.

  “Meghan,” he said in a manner that indicated he had something important to tell her. “I think Catrina might be the Projector…” Even though he spoke it through his thoughts, his voice was low and uncertain.

  Meghan, in shock by what Colin told her, could not reply. Her mind was blank as he searched for some response.

  “I think Juliska, and possibly others, believe it, at least,” he added when she did not reply.

  “But I don’t. I know she’s not.”

  “Colin, I don’t completely understand this whole Projector thing, but I know enough to realize it is NOT a good thing! What if it is her, Colin? That means she’s dangerous! I do get weird vibes when I am around her,” she let slip out.

  “What do you mean? Weird vibes?” he shot back.

  “Colin. I’m sorry. I know you like her, but if I’m completely honest, something about her just doesn’t feel right… and if Juliska thinks…”

  She felt Colin’s block go back in its place and lost her connection to him. She attempted repeatedly to reconnect, but he ignored her.

  “Crap!” she shouted to no one. She wanted to use much stronger words. “Leave it to my brother to fall in love with the Projector! They’ll kill her!” Then, as she thought about it, her worries increased even more.

  “If he tries to save her… they’ll kill him too! And I don’t even want to think about what Catrina might do to him…”

  She hastened out of the tent, unsure of what to do. Just then, the ground began to shake, again. She grabbed onto a tent pole, hoping to stay upright. She heard a terrible swooshing and then a crash nearby, followed by a scream.

  69

  The shaking stopped. Once steady on her feet, she turned toward the crash. A tree had fallen at the edge of the meadow onto a te
nt.

  She raced over, as did others. Her fear: someone was inside stuck under the tree, or worse, killed by it. After a quick search, a teenage girl was discovered passed out, underneath a branch, but alive.

  Doctor Stamm arrived just a minute later to examine the girl, and to Meghan’s surprise, so did Ivan. He looked gravely concerned over the girl’s condition.

  Meghan recognized the girl, from school in Grimble. If she remembered correctly, the girl’s name was Maria and she was sixteen years old. Mostly, Meghan recalled thinking that the girl was pretty, but also shy. Whenever Meghan had seen the girl, she was alone.

  “I need to get her back to my tent,” Dr. Stamm said. “She looks to be okay at first glance, but I need to do a more thorough examination. It does look as if the branch hit her head,” he added, concernedly.

  Meghan was surprised again, when Ivan stepped in and picked up the girl, carrying her away.

  “I wonder…” Does he like her? Is it possible that I’ve discovered a secret about the mysterious Ivan Crane? She secretly delighted in the idea.

  Those that remained behind helped to push the tree off the tent and back to the edge of the meadow. Then, they headed to see if help was needed elsewhere.

  Meghan decided to join them, temporarily sidetracked by her worries from just minutes before.

  Colin was furious. He should have never admitted his fears about Catrina. Especially not to his sister, as she was so close to Juliska Blackwell. But if not Meghan, then who? Was there anyone he could trust? Balloch Flummer’s warning not to trust anyone came to mind, yet again. Surely, he could trust his own sister.

  The more he thought about what he had done the angrier he became. His hands trembled and his heart pounded in his chest. He wanted to hit something. Hard.

  “What happened?” Catrina begged.

  “I will never let anyone hurt you!” he blurted out, without explanation.

  “Hurt me?” she repeated. “What did Meghan tell you?”

  Underneath them, the ground started to quiver.

  Colin did not answer as in the next moment he fell backwards, the ground shaking violently now.

  “Colin! What did she say?” demanded Catrina.

  Colin looked up at her, his face contorted with confusion.