“I took three steps and was wrapped in his arms, where I belonged. No confusion here. No worries here. No troubles here.”

“Trella! You’re here,” he said with glee.“Even though I’m not as smart as you, I do know where I am.”

“Did you live here?" Leif asked. I nodded. "For two years"."Where did you stay?" "I had a room in Valek's suite." Leif shot me an incredulous look. "Boy, you worked fast.”

“[Janco] paused. His eyes held a distant gleam as if seeing into his past. 'My first practice was a shock. I was a cocky smart aleck--'[Opal] 'Was?'[J] 'Be quiet. I'm telling a story here.”

“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.”

“Here we go. Kerrick was as subtle as a thunderstorm.”

“Bad dreams are ghosts of our fears and worries, haunting us while we sleep. I doubt Valek is in trouble.”