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“No one has explored this new portal,” Jireo explained. “But Morvaen has set guards at the entrance, assuming Vindrake will send Water Clan warriors to invade.”
“This confirms my fears. I’m now a danger to all, just as I warned you.” Daegreth’s voice was easy for Markaeus to recognize—not only was it deep, but he always sounded serious, like Uncle Charles, even though he had only one more year than Kaevin. “If Vindrake has created two portals, there is nothing to stop him from forming another. Nothing to prevent him from entering this realm. And we all know what will happen.”
“Hey, you’re all missing something...” Wesley paused, and Markaeus knew he had their undivided attention. “Both portals were formed where a gressor was. Right? One went to Markaeus. The other went to Arista. In fact, the one Markaeus found went from his room to his grandfather, who’s also a gressor.”
Beth lowered her voice to a whisper. “Then I guess it’s too bad Markaeus is here. At least if he were still in Tenavae, Vindrake wouldn’t be able to build a portal to Montana.”
“Once Alora awakens, that will no longer be an issue,” Kaevin declared. “We will return to Laegenshire at once, and bring Markaeus with us.”
“Then, you’ll be safe again, Daegreth. See? There’s nothing to worry about,” said Beth.
“When you go back to Laegenshire for good, I’m going with you,” Wesley announced. “At least, I’m hoping my parents will let me. I’m not worried about Dad, but Mom’s another story.”
“What about high school?” asked Beth. “It’s your senior year.”
“I’ve thought about it a lot. I’m getting my GED this summer, to make Mom happy. And then I’m going to Tenavae, and I’m going to stay until I figure out how to take Vindrake’s bloodbond off of Daegreth. Mom ought to like that idea, as long as I can convince her it’s not too dangerous.
“There’s no need for you to sacrifice your future for me,” Daegreth asserted.
“We’re family, so it’s not a sacrifice.”
“That’s not—” Daegreth began, but Beth cut his protest short.
“Chill out, Daegreth. If I know Wesley, he’s probably using you as an excuse to go back to Tenavae. Tell him the truth, Wesley.”
“Ha! I refuse to answer that question on the grounds I might incriminate myself.”
“What is this word—incriminate?” asked Jireo. “Is this one of your special daily words?”
“No, it’s just Wesley’s way of getting out of answering my question.” Beth laughed, and a chair scraped on the floor. “Come on, guys. Time to go. I told Mom I’d be back by two.”
“Right. Come on, Daegreth,” said Wesley.
“Are you coming back later tonight?” asked Kaevin.
“Absolutely,” said Beth. “You’ve got Alora’s cell. Just call me when she wakes up.”
“If she wakes up,” Kaevin corrected.
“When she wakes up.” Beth’s firm tone didn’t allow for argument.
The room grew so quiet, Markaeus opened his eyes a crack to see if he was alone. But Kaevin and Jireo were still there. Standing near the bed, facing one another, and Jireo looked like he was close to tears.
“There is something I should tell you, Kaevin. My defender bond is warning me...” His voice cracked. “I’m so sorry.”
“No...” came Kaevin’s hoarse reply. Shaking his head, he backed away. “No, it can’t be Alora. It must be something else. Our lives would be in danger if Vindrake built another portal. Perhaps you can sense it.”
“It’s possible, but I don’t believe I would sense danger from another realm. I had no sense of warning when Markaeus found the first portal,” Jireo reasoned. “Not until after Alora had been in Portshire for a while.”
The hope died in Kaevin’s eyes. He moved to Alora’s bedside, bending to place a kiss on her unresponsive lips and lingering for a few breaths. Lifting his sad gaze to Jireo, he asked, “Did that make any difference? Perhaps the soulmate bond...”
“I’m sorry, but the answer is no. Believe me, I want it to be something else. It started in the same breath as Alora’s episode yesterday. I waited to tell you because I was uncertain.” Dropping his eyes, Jireo pushed his fingers through his wavy blond hair. “Merely a nagging feeling at first, but it grows steadily, by the hand. Already, I’m compelled to stay at your side.”
“Did you warn Darielle?” Squeezing his lips together, Kaevin’s nostrils flared. “Does my father know?”
“Yes, Darielle spoke to your father and the rest of the council. I had hopes that Nordamen could be of aid. Only Laethan seemed convinced he could help her.”
Jireo raised his hand before Kaevin could interrupt. “And no, Laethan swears he must be in the same realm with her to render aid.”
