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From nowhere came two strong hands, forcing me to my knees. My cloak was loosened at my neck and I felt cold hard steel against the frantic throbbing of the vein there. This was it. I had failed, brought shame on the Rakshana and my brother's memory, and now I would die for it. "Do you bow to the will of the brotherhood?" asked the voice.
My voice, pressed tight in my throat by the flat of the knife, sounded frantic, strangled. A stranger's voice."I do."
"Say it."
"I ... I bow to the will of the brotherhood. In all things."
The blade retreated. I was released.
When I realized my life would be spared, I am ashamed to say that I felt near to crying tears of relief. I would live, and I'd have a chance yet to prove my worth to the Rakshana.
"There is still hope. Has the girl ever made mention to you of the Temple?"
"No, my brother. I have never heard of such a place."
"Long before the runes were constructed to control the magic, the Order used the Temple. It is rumored to be the source of all power in the realms. It is the place where the magic can be controlled. Whosoever claims the Temple rules the realms. She must find it."
"Where is it?"
There was a moment's pause."Somewhere inside the realms. We do not know for certain. The Order kept it well hidden."
"But how . . ."
"She must use her wits. If she is truly one of the Order, the Temple will most likely call to her in some fashion. But she must be careful. Others will seek it as well. The magic is unpredictable, wild. Nothing from the other side can be trusted. This is most important. Once she finds the Temple, she must say these words: I bind the magic in the name of the Eastern Star."
"Won't that give the Temple to the Rakshana?"
"It will give us our due. Why should the Order have it all? Their time is past."
"Why do we not ask her to bring us in with her?" The room fell silent for a moment, and I feared I would have the knife to my throat again."No member of the Rakshana may enter the realms. That was the witches' punishment on us."
Punishment? For what? I had heard Amar say only that we were guardians to the Order, a system of checks and balances for their power. It was an uneasy alliance, but an alliance nonetheless. These things being spoken now made me wary.
I was afraid to speak out but knew I must. "I do not think she will work for us willingly."
"Do not tell her your aim. Gain her trust." There was a pause."Woo her, if necessary."
I thought of the strong, powerful, stubborn girl I'd left behind."She is not so easily wooed."
"Any girl can be wooed. It is merely a question of finding the right tool. Your brother, Amar, was quite skilled at keeping the girl's mother on our side."
My brother wearing the cape of the damned. My brother using a demon's war cry. Now was not the time to mention my unsettling dreams. They might think me a fool or a coward.
"Gain her favor. Find the Temple. Keep her from any other dalliances. The rest shall be ours."
"But-"
"Go now, Brother Kartik," he said then, using the title of honor that might one day be conferred upon me as a full member of the Rakshana."We shall be watching you."
My captors came forward then to place the blindfold over my eyes once more. I jumped to my feet. "Wait!" I cried out. "Once she has found the Temple, and the power is ours, what is to become of her?"
The room was silent save for the flickering of the candles in the slight draft. At last the voice echoed down into the chamber. "Then you must kill her."
CHAPTER ONE
DECEMBER 1895 SPENCE ACADEMY FOR YOUNG LADIES
AH, CHRISTMAS!
