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injured her.
    Kalia growled a command, and the knife darted at Rachel. Ducking to the side, Rachel seized control of the knife and put it to the throat of the acolyte. Holding it there took great control, but Rachel had practiced manipulating physical objects more diligently than any other Edomic discipline.
    “Why?” Rachel demanded, panting.
    Kalia spat blood. Sweat dampened her face. Her feral eyes were panicked and angry. Kalia was among the younger acolytes. Although she looked to be in her twenties, she was actually closer to fifty. Acolytes employed routine Edomic meditation to slow the aging process.
    “Why?” Rachel repeated.
    Kalia spoke a command, trying to seize control of the knife, but Rachel countered with a stern mandate, and Kalia’s effort dissolved, crushed by a superior will. Rachel angled the knife away as the acolyte doubled over, writhing in pain. The failed commands were taking a heavy toll.
    “When did you get so good?” Rachel demanded. “You never moved objects.”
    I never spoke in silence, either. The furious words burned in Rachel’s mind. He should have given the order earlier, before you had so much training. I could have taken you when you first arrived. I know I could have!
    Who ordered this? Rachel pressed.
    Use your imagination, Kalia communicated, her rage diminishing. My only solace is that he’ll get you yet. I chose the winning side. He asked too much of me at the wrong time. Bad for me. But it won’t save you. Mark my words. He’ll get you all.
    You work for Maldor?
    He’ll kill every last one of you!
    Galloran burst into the room, his blindfold off, his torivorian sword drawn, several treefolk and human guards following in his wake. He looked from Rachel to Kalia. I sensed a great deal of Edomic in use.
    Kalia jabbed the long needle into her thigh.
    What have you done? Rachel asked.
    Another inane question! How does such a simpleton access so much power? It’s infuriating! It’s disgusting! Kalia began to convulse. Red foam frothed from her lips.
    “She tried to kill me,” Rachel explained, turning away in horror and disgust.
    Galloran took her lamp, set it aside, then wrapped his arms around her. Rachel felt embarrassed that he must feel her trembling.But she was not embarrassed enough to reject the comfort. I’m so sorry, Rachel. I never would have guessed Maldor could have planted an assassin at Mianamon.
    Where can’t he come after us? This is the one place in Lyrian where I felt safe!
    The sad truth is that no place in Lyrian is secure anymore, no matter how remote. And the problem will only worsen. We’ve been planning to leave soon. Let’s make it tomorrow. We have stood still for too long.
    Rachel clung to Galloran, wishing she could disappear. Kalia had set a trap and tried to kill her!
    A man covered from head to toe in moss brought the knife and the iron spike to Galloran. “Both poisoned. Giantsbane. Just like the needle.”
    “Later,” Galloran said. He waved a hand. “Leave us.”
    The men and treefolk exited the training room.
    “I’m so sorry, Rachel,” Galloran said again, still holding her.
    Rachel felt bad for the amount of pain in his voice. “It wasn’t your fault. Thanks for coming so quickly.”
    “I was a fool for allowing you to room so far from the rest of us. I should have foreseen this possibility. Thank goodness you saved yourself. I could feel the strength behind her commands. This traitor was no novice. I did not know that any Edomic adepts of her ability remained. She must have hidden here for a long while.”
    “More than thirty years,” Ulani said, entering the room. She glared bitterly at the fallen acolyte, then shifted her attention to Rachel. “Are you all right?”
    “I’m all right,” Rachel managed. “It’s all right.”
    Galloran continued to hold Rachel close. “Maldor must have known we were preparing to leave. He wanted to strike before we departed.”
    Rachel scowled a little, pulling back from the