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you’ve got a problem... I can see that...”
    Dannac called out from the hall: “Don’t talk to him, kill him!”
    She ignored him. “There must be a place you can go.”
    The man shifted and knocked over several bottles. “Need more of it. Got to. You?”
    What was he asking for? Medicine? No, there was something else wrong with him. She tried to think of her training, of what this kind of erratic vihs discharge could result from. Emotional turmoil, illness, inebriation, old age—
    Whatever the cause, she had to act before the charge racing through the air and tingling her skin reached its critical point and the man attacked her once again.
    She flipped the knife around, and was about to dart in close enough to put the man into a hold, when it came.
    All she saw was a crackling light spread across her eyes. When a breath later she opened them, she lay crumpled in the corner opposite the Ehzeri. Her head ached, and any amount of light only acted as a hammer to pound the pain deeper into her skull.
    Fat man, magic gone awry, paid in full...
    There still pressed in her palm the reassuring bulk of her knife. There was still time to—
    A metallic glint sailed through the room, followed by a meaty thud. She gathered herself, recoiled once she found the Ehzeri spewing blood from his head. A small hatchet stuck from his forehead.
    Dannac stumbled in and helped her stand. “I told you to kill him.” Her legs cramped, and she was instantly reminded of the familiarization training, of being intentionally attacked by a magic wielder. “You should be dead.”
    She leaned on her thighs and tried to catch her breath. “I didn’t think we’d be sent to remove a vihs- capable squatter. I didn’t think there was any of that going on here.”
    â€œMe neither.” There was a hard note in his voice, more than usual.
    â€œDo you gain satisfaction from taking down someone from a family who still has power? With a dull hatchet, no less.”
    He pulled the weapon from the dead man’s wound and dropped it. “Come on, the man outside paid us to remove this person. He may be dead, but he is still here.”
    Vasi’s nose twitched at the smell of the ancient book pressed against her face. Her eyes felt stiff and her heart jolted at the sudden awakening. When she opened her eyes, she found herself sprawled across one of her lab’s many benches.
    A pounding arose from the door. Frantic pounding. “Vasi, open this door right now. Are you in trouble in there? Hm?”
    She stood, dazed for a moment. The dream was still there, like a translucent blanket draped over her perception. Blackness, like in that horrible painting she had been analyzing... complete blackness, as if she were in the painting’s presence and being drawn into its abyss.
    â€œVasi!” More pounding.
    Sevari. What did he want? She braced herself and concentrated on the heavy door’s locks. It took more effort to move them than usual, thanks to the black dream dampening her thoughts.
    Sevari stormed in, all polished boots and crisp brown uniform. He made a quick tour of the lab, heels thudding and hands laced at his back.
    â€œWhat took you so long?” He picked up a book, began to page through it.
    â€œSorry, Leader. I was... indisposed.”
    â€œThere is something off about you. Are you ill? Should I send for a surgeon? I had thought that your kind could heal yourselves, but perhaps there are some things best left to the medical profession.”
    â€œNo. I am fine. I just...” Lying to Till Sevari was a bad idea. “I think the painting is affecting me more than I had thought. Even though it’s locked in your museum, I felt drawn into it.” She turned away.
    â€œDamned Helverliss.” He put his hand on her shoulder, which made her cringe. “All the more reason I need you to unravel the mad artist’s secrets.” He resumed his