Valek coalesced from the shadows and wrapped me in his long lean arms. I soaked in his musky smell, listening to his heart beat. Strong and steady. No indication that he had been sneaking around.

“What do you want me to do, love?” he asked in a low whisper. “Find Leif or smooth the way for your trip north?”

“How about both?”

“It’s Ixia. Messages take forever compared to Sitia, but if you drag the trip out a few days, I could have a couple helpers in place.”

“Leif first.”

“Right.” His sigh vibrated through my chest. “So much for our vacation.” He pulled back and I recognized the eagerness in his blue eyes. “Interesting problem, though. Could be a bit tricky.”

“Free Leif and then you can play,” I said.

He grinned. “Promise?”

“If I don’t get to them first.”

“That’s my girl.” He released me.

While I changed, Valek packed my bag. In order to travel in Ixia without drawing attention, we would have to leave Kiki and the rest of the horses behind. I swung my gray cloak around my shoulders. The cooling season in Ixia, meant icy winds and freezing nights. Valek would have to find Leif before the cold season’s blizzards began or we would be stuck in Ixia for two months.

Valek handed me the backpack. “Directly north of us there’s a safe house near the Ixian border.”

“You’re not suppose--”

“We can argue about it later. It’s stocked with Ixian uniforms, money and papers. You’ll still have to sneak across the border, but it’ll help once you’re inside.” He gave me directions to the house. “Then head for Military District 3 and find the Commander’s diamond mine--the one he grew up in. Its designation is MD-3-13 and it’s in the foothills of the Soul Mountains near the northern ice sheet. I’ll meet you there.” He rested his hands on my shoulders. “Stay safe, love.”

I reached and pulled him close, rising up on the balls of me feet to kiss him. Heat pulsed in my chest, and I wanted to melt into his skin. But I sensed Reed waking up. We broke apart.

Valek said, “I doubt you’ll get close to the Ice Moon, but if some odd twist of fate leads you to it, do not let that magician get his hands on it. Not even in exchange for Leif’s life. The consequences--”

“I know.”

“How?”

“Master Magician Bain Bloodgood told me.”

“Good.”

The knob on the door turned and Valek moved, disappearing into the shadows. Reed entered the room, glaring in suspicion.

“I’m ready,” I said as I breezed pass him. I joined Owen and the other three men in the living room. Without waiting for Owen to give the order, I said, “Let’s go.”

Leading them outside, I turned north. I was sure Owen knew how powerful the Ice Moon was.

But I’d bet my butterfly pendant, he had no idea that it had been given--not stolen--to the Commander by the Master Magicians for safe keeping.

Part 3

Valek watched Yelena, Owen Moon and his four men head north toward Ixia. The cold wind rattled the bare branches of the trees and a shiver zipped over his skin. She was out numbered and the magician could protect himself with a null shield. Worry swirled in his chest as they disappeared over a slight rise. Yelena led the men on an impossible quest—to recover the Ice Moon from the Commander's mine. The only reason Valek hadn't killed the five of them was her brother, Leif. They held his life in their hands, forcing Yelena to help them.

Time to fix that problem, Valek thought. He roused the stable boy, asking the lad to saddle his horse, Onyx. Kiki stuck her head out of her stall and gave him a morose look. Because horses were only ridden by the Generals and special officers in Ixia, she had to stay behind and wait for Yelena to return. She would miss Onyx's presence, but that couldn't be helped. He needed to get to the Citadel as fast as possible.

He fed Kiki a few milk oats and scratched her behind the ears before mounting his pure black horse. For a moment, he wished he could communicate with the horses the same way Yelena could, but he knew they were smart. He asked Onyx to hurry to the Citadel and the horse broke into a fast gallop.

They arrived at the northern gate of the Citadel just as the first rays of dawn shone over the white marble of the outer walls. Onyx headed straight for the Magician's Keep in the northeast quadrant of the city. Valek wondered how Yelena fared. Was she tired? Worried? But when he reached the Keep's gate, he shoved his concerns deep within his heart. No time to be subtle, he informed the guard in the gatehouse he needed to see Master Magician Irys Jewelrose. Valek didn't wait for permission to enter. Onyx hopped the wooden barrier with ease and they crossed to the administration building.