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language. “I remember now, guardian. Rest easy, I’ll be back soon.”
    She vanished a heartbeat later, but her scent lingered on, as did the words she’d uttered. Those words filled him with hope, but they also told him that they didn’t have much time. If she knew what he was, then it wouldn’t be long before the torc would compel her to tell the master. They had to get away before that happened.
     

***
    Chapter Four
     
    Vamir drifted in a light doze until the sound of his cell door opening brought him back to full alert. Someone muttered a few words, and the room exploded into light so bright it made Vamir’s eyes water, despite the fact he hadn’t opened them yet.
    “This is why I disturbed your study, master. The slave has been badly damaged, and I thought you would want to see for yourself.”
    “I see. You were right to interrupt me this time.” The light dimmed slightly, and the sorcerer spoke again. “You will do everything you can to ensure he heals quickly and without complication. No one else is to go near him or interfere in your treatments.” There was a brief pause and Vamir swore the room temperature dropped several degrees. “Who did this to you, slave?”
    Vamir opened his eyes and found himself the focus of the Magi’s cold gaze. “It was the apprentice, master. He said it was all part of the testing.”
    The master hadn’t remembered to draw up his hood, and Vamir felt a wave of cold horror wash over him as he saw the other man’s face for the first time. The Magi’s skin was as dry and cracked as old parchment. In some places, it was so thin and stretched that Vamir could see the bones beneath. The Magi’s nose was withered, and his eyes were sunk deep into his skull. He was a walking corpse, his body being slowly devoured by the darkness that had already claimed his soul.
    “Then he will be punished for this petty act of rebellion,” the master said before turning his gaze to Gwyneth. “You are to see to it the gargoyle is returned to a saleable condition and teach him what he needs to know. Until this is done, you have no other duties.”
    “Yes, master.”
    Vamir stayed still and quiet until the sorcerer departed. Once Gwyneth closed the door, he rose up on one elbow and asked, “What was that bit about a petty act of rebellion? I can tell you, it didn’t feel petty from my point of view.”
    The last thing in the planes that Gwyn wanted to do was to admit that his suffering was her fault. If her master had given her to the apprentice, then none of this would have happened. “I’ll explain later. First, I need to see to your injuries. The master’s commands were very clear on that.”
    “I learned today what happens when you try and resist a command for long. Do what you need, my questions can wait.”
    She crouched down beside him, then turned her hand over so that he could see she had a few plant leaves cupped in her palm. “Chew these. They’ll take away the pain for a while.”
    He stared at them suspiciously. “If that’s going to make me sleepy or mess with my head, I’ll pass.”
    “You’ll still be clear-headed, but you’ll be in a lot less discomfort.”
    He took the leaves and started chewing, grimacing when the bitter taste hit his tongue.
    “These taste vile.”
    “I never said they’d taste good,” she said and placed her hand on his shoulder. Lie still, I’m going to move you somewhere cleaner.”
    Gwyn teleported them to her room. Her quarters were far from opulent, but they were clean, warm, and a far safer place for them to talk. It was the only place in the citadel where she had permission to use all of her powers, an exception the master had granted upon discovering she could permanently enchant items. His obsession with wealth had won out over his paranoia. So long as she provided him with a steady supply of items to sell, he allowed her this small freedom.
    She rematerialized them both on her bed and smiled when she noticed that Vamir