1

The magician's boots echoed loudly in the empty corridor as Sonea bound up the stairs, taking them two at a time. She had just received a message from Rothen to come to his rooms immediately. Her brows creased. Rothen would never had ordered her back if it was not important. But what had happened? Regin hadn't done anything. She wasn't about to collapse with exhaustion. The High Lord hadn't gone crazy and decided to massacre all magicians in the Guild, so what?

Unless, it wasn't from Rothen.

Sonea stopped abruptly. The messenger had said to go to his rooms, not that Rothen himself had said for her to.

What if it was about Rothen?

Sonea felt her stomach clench at the thought.

But he was fine a few minutes ago!

As Sonea continued onwards, she felt the breath freeze in her throat.

What if Lorlen had decided to do something against the High Lord and failed. What if the High Lord came after Rothen? What if he…he…

No. she thought. The High Lord would never kill Rothen – it would be far too obvious.

Or would it?

Sonea winced.

Oh shut up, she told herself. It could be nothing important. Or maybe Dorrien has come back to propose to me…

Sonea felt a big grin split her face, as she imagined Dorrien bent down on one knee, holding out a small box. His brilliant blue eyes twinkling up at her.

Sonea felt her cheeks grow hot and she blinked in surprise as she realised she had reached Rothen's door. Taking a deep breath, a small grin still on her face, she brushed the door and it swung open soundlessly. Rothen was standing by the window, his shoulders tense and his expression grim. Sonea felt her grin slide slowly off her face.

Perhaps not a proposal, but at least Rothen is unharmed.

She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut short by her guardian's warning expression. Sonea frowned, confused.

What does that –

And then she felt it. Another presence. The force of it almost made her stagger backwards. And there was only one magician who could possibly have so strong a presence…

'Sonea,' Rothen's voice wavered slightly. His face was tense, pale and sickly and his hand shook as he beckoned her.

'Sonea is here as you requested, High Lord. How may we assist you?'

In a far corner of the room, the tall slim man with long black hair turned and glared at Rothen with a look so cold Sonea felt herself shudder.

'I am here to find the source of a certain rumour I drew from the Administrator concerning you and your novice. I am referring to a rumour about my nocturnal activities. A rumour that must be stopped.' He said in a low voice.

Sonea's heart seemed to stop for several beats. And then double in pace.

Shit! He knows! But how?! Lorlen would never have said this willingly. The High Lord must have forced him to.

Sonea's shoulder's drooped as she felt a sharp pang of sympathy.

Poor Lorlen…

The colour had drained from Rothen's face, a shocked expression fixed on it.

A humourless smile appeared on Akkarin's face.

'I saw much that impressed me: how Sonea visited the Guild while she was still a renegade, what she witnessed that night, how Lorlen discovered this while truth-reading her during the guardianship hearing and that he ordered you both to keep the discovery a secret so that he could work out how he could possibly enforce the Guild's law. A sensible decision. And fortunate for you all.'

Sonea looked up slightly as some of her fear turned into anger.

Like you care about us.

Akkarin's eyes darted to hers for a moment, before fixing them back on Rothen.

'We have not spoken a word of it to anyone.' His voice was resigned. The voice of a man accepting defeat.

'So you say.' His voice softened slightly. 'I would know that for certain.'

You already do, Sonea mused.

Rothen gasped softly.

'And if I refuse?' A hint of anger found its way in Rothen's voice.

'I will take whatever measures you force me take, Rothen. You cannot prevent me reading your mind.'

Sonea stepped in front of Rothen, her expression dark and her eyes burning with fury.

You wanna test that?

Sonea didn't care if he was the High Lord, she wasn't going to let him hurt Rothen. Besides, he'd probably kill them both at the end of this anyway.

Akkarin's eyebrows rose slightly.

Rothen smiled weakly and took a deep breath. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder.

'It's OK.' He said gently.

The flame in Sonea's eyes faded away and she turned to look at Rothen.

Rothen's gaze dropped as he saw the hurt and pain in her eyes.

But you can't…

Rothen sidestepped her and walked towards Akkarin.

You can't let him do this, she screamed at his back.

Akkarin stepped towards Rothen and placed his hands on Rothen's temples.

Sonea let out a partially smothered sob. Rothen's face suddenly contorted in pain and he clenched his hands into fists. Sonea looked away and covered her ears with her hands. This was unbearable. A while later, Sonea turned slightly to see if it was over. Akkarin's eyes flung open and he took a deep breath before stepping away.

Rothen swayed slightly and Sonea hurried forwards to steady him. She looked up at the man she had come to think of as a father and felt a strong admiration.

Stupid man. Stupid brave man.

Rothen smiled faintly.

'I'm fine. I'm all right.'

Sonea stepped back slightly and sighed.

Akkarin's voice cut through the peace.

'Now Sonea.'

What, she thought in disbelief as she bit back a protest.

'No! Leave her alone.' Rothen protested.

'I cannot.'

'But you know everything! She's only a –'

'Child? Come on, you know this won't hurt her.'

Don't make me go, please don't make me go…

Sonea pleaded silently in her head.

Rothen sighed exasperated and slowly turned to her.

'He knows everything. Let it confirm it for himself if he must. It won't hurt.'

Sonea stared blankly at Rothen.

He's handing me over?!, she gaped in disbelief.

Tears were forming in his eyes. Sonea sighed again.

He doesn't have a choice.

She felt a light touch in her mind.

Trust me. We must co-operate.

And then he stepped away.

Hopelessness smothered her thoughts. There was no way out, no backup plan.

She gulped.

This is how it has to be.

Sonea heard the footsteps behind her and blinked back the tears. She let out a long ragged breath.

Give up. You can't win.

Sonea shut her eyes and turned around not wanting to look into his eyes.

Akkarin frowned as she turned around. He didn't mean to make anyone upset, but this had to be done. Kyralia would always be more important than his best friend, a slum girl and her guardian. But still problems remained. Lorlen, his best friend for 18 years, now hated him and he couldn't do anything about it. He was still left to defend his country single-handedly from a group of power-hungry Sachakans. And then there was a rather annoying and unwanted problem of a certain novice taking up far too much of his thoughts.

At first, Akkarin had been disgusted. She was 13 years younger than him! And she was a slum-girl! It was wrong, perverted and just plain weird.

But younger girls are married to older men than me all the time…

And Akkarin had to admit that Sonea was special. She was like no-one he had ever met before. So tough and powerful and beautiful…

He sent these thoughts away. Now was not the time for being selfish. Besides, the feeling certainly wasn't mutual – especially not after this.

Stepping forward, Akkarin reached out towards her face.

Finally, I have an excuse to touch her…

He slowly ran his hands up the sides of her face and smothered the shiver that ran down his back. Lust threatened to overwhelm him.

My God, she's beautiful.

Akkarin resisted the urge to sigh.

Move on. It's never going to happen.

Yet despite everything, he wished it wasn't so. And that was his last thought before he placed his hands on her temples.

The teenage girl blinked, as she found herself in a room. A room with two doors and various empty picture frames. The walls and floor were wooden.

The conscious part of my mind.

The girl smiled. It hadn't changed at all.

Sonea.

A voice echoed around her head. She frowned as she remembered the voice's owner.

We don't have time for this. Just tell me what I want to know.

Time is a strange thing. It can sometimes seem like it's going too fast or too slow when really it's going at exactly the same speed all the time. It was 30 minutes before they rejoined Rothen back in the real world. Akkarin frowned deeply and turned away from them. He knew what he had to do. But it was not going to be easy. Things were bound to get messy. He took a deep breath. I have no other choice.

'I will claim Sonea's guardianship. You will never tell anyone else whilst she is mine. She is unnaturally strong and clever – no-one will question my choice.'

Sonea stood rooted to the ground, her mouth open in shock horror.

No-one question my choice? No-one will question my choice?! Oh yeah?! We'll see about that. You can't do this – this is blackmail!

'No!' Rothen exclaimed reaching forwards and taking her hand. Sonea tightened her grip.

'Don't force me to consider an alternative, Rothen.' Akkarin warned, his expression darkening.

Rothen let out a strangled noise of disgust and looked at Sonea with sad eyes.

How can he do this?!

Rothen looked down and sighed.

It's not fair.

Looking up, Rothen made his glare as cold and as icy as possible.

'I will obey your decision, High Lord.' He said as he gritted his teeth, emphasising Akkarin's title.

Akkarin's face was arranged in a disapproving scowl. As he turned to Sonea, the scowl melted away.

'There is a room for the High Lord's novice in my residence.' He continued.

Her eyes flared and seemed to turn several shades darker. Sonea narrowed her eyes at Akkarin in hatred. Akkarin's eyes also narrowed.

'You will come with me now, my servant will bring your belongings later.' There was an undertone of anger in his voice.

Not wanting to provoke things any further, Rothen turned her around and looked at her with tear-filled eyes.

'Go,' he told her softly.

Sonea's heart seemed to smash in little pieces like a sheet of glass.

'But…Rothen…' she choked on his name.

Rothen embraced her in a fierce hug and bit back the tears as Sonea let a single tear tumble down her face.

This is not the end. I will get you back – I promise.

Sonea squeezed her eyes shut as more tears rolled down her face.

Thank you.

Pulling back, Rothen smiled and wiped her tears away. Sonea gave him a watery smile and she turned towards the open door. As she approached it, she stopped by Akkarin and felt the heat of her fury dry all her tears from her eyes. Suddenly, the feelings she had bottled up exploded. And she let loose all of the anger she felt in 14 words which none of them would ever forget.

Before my time is done, I will look down on your corpse and smile.

Rothen gasped in the background, Akkarin's frown deepened and Sonea let her eyes snap to Akkarin from beneath her fringe, letting one last evil, malicious smile appear on her face before she disappeared into the corridor and the door slammed shut.