21

The market in Corus was closing up for the night. Stall holders, busy packing away their wares, suddenly found the need to flatten themselves against the nearest wall to avoid being crushed by the hooves of two large horses that clattered past at alarming speed.

"Nobles," huffed the owner of a boot stall to his neighbour. "They jus' think they own th'place!"

It was dangerous to be travelling at this pace down the main street of the city. Neal thought this over and over as he leant over the neck of his mare, urging her to keep up with Kel's new riding horse. It was proving difficult.

He also pondered the sanity of what they were doing. Kel had bolted from the library as if the Black God himself was after her. Nothing Neal could say, as he sprinted after her all the way to the stables, could make her stop and think. Almost before he knew what he was doing, Neal was saddling his own horse as fast as he could, barely having time to do the girth up properly as he vaulted onto her back to follow his friend.

If they really were facing down this shadow – if it even was at Lalasa's – then they needed back up. And not swords. They needed Numair, or someone with a more powerful Gift than Neal was able to provide. But they had left Numair and the King standing confused in the library. Neal didn't think they even knew the way to Lalasa's house. He didn't even know the way to Lalasa's house, which is why he was so desperately trying to keep Kel and her flying horse in sight.

He had tried to explain all this to Kel, but her haste to make sure her friend was all right was overriding her reason.

Kel pulled Arashi to a standstill so suddenly that Magewhisper almost went crashing into the back of her. Neal patted his snorting mare apologetically on the neck, before dismounting and following Kel up a narrow stairway that led to a small apartment above a dark baker's shop.

Neal was not as lucky as his horse. He did crash into the back of a very stationary Kel, which was a little bit like walking into a brick wall.

"Ouch! What – "

"Sssh!"

Quietly, Kel drew her sword; no mean feat while standing on a dark landing which was about three foot square. Neal, following suit awkwardly, peered over her shoulder.

A very dim light flickered through the slightly ajar door. It was very quiet.

Too quiet.

On near-silent feet, Kel moved forward cautiously and pushed the door. It swung open with a slight creak. Neal winced.

Nothing.

They moved into the sitting room of the flat, which was lit by just one small candle. As their eyes adjusted to the faint light, at first nothing seemed awry.

Then Kel reached behind her and squeezed Neal's arm tightly. He looked at her questioningly, before following her gaze to the floor.

A pair of feet stuck out from underneath the table at the side of the room. They were motionless.

Wordlessly, Neal pushed past the Lady Knight and crouched down by the figure on the floor. His fingers glowed green briefly.

"Is…" Kel's whispered voice seemed oddly loud in the silence.

Neal grimaced. "Unconscious. A blow to the temple. I…"

He broke off at a new sound. A baby whimpering.

Clambering to his feet and clutching his sword tightly, Neal looked to where the sound was coming from.

Lalasa stepped out of an adjoining door, holding little Kellan in her arms.

"Thank Mithros," Neal breathed. He stepped forward. "Lalasa, what…"

He trailed off as Kel held her free arm out, blocking his way. Her other hand gripped her sword so tightly, Neal could see her knuckles turning white.

"Give me the baby," said Kel harshly.

Confused, Neal looked back at the crumpled form of Gethin on the floor and back at Lalasa. Her large, dark eyes seemed a deeper colour than normal…almost black…

She was smiling.

"Why, Lady Kel," Lalasa answered. Neal frowned. Her voice was…different. Harsher. Deeper. "I'm hurt you think I would harm such a delicate little thing as my own baby."

"He's not your baby." Kel's voice was flat. "Now, give him to me. And then leave."

"Oh, I don't know," sighed Lalasa. She lifted Kellan up to see his face better. The baby squirmed and gurgled. "I'm quite fond of the little chap you know. He did help me into this fine realm after all."

Understanding washed over Neal. "Kel…is that…has it…?"

Lalasa's smile widened as her black eyes roved over Neal's face. "Why, Sir Nealan. I don't believe we've had the pleasure yet." Her…it's…gaze flicked to Kel briefly. "Although, the Lady here would have liked the pleasure at one point I believe."

Confusion crept back in again. "What, I don't understand…" Neal glanced at Kel, who kept her eyes trained on Lalasa – the thing that was posing as Lalasa. She had her Yamani mask firmly in place.

The laugh that Lalasa gave made the hairs on the back of Neal's neck stand up. "Oh, this is wonderful! The Lady Knight never told you that she wanted you once? Back when you were both pages? Before she'd laid eyes on your wonderful cousin that was, then she had a rather large change of heart. He is after all, more dashing, more handsome…or he was. How is the dear sergeant anyway?"

Anger flashed through Neal like a flame. Only Kel's arm, which had not moved, stopped him from rushing forward and…and…

"Damn you!" he spat. "What do you want with us?"

"Not you," said the Shadow-Lalasa. She pointed. "Only her."

"Over my dead – "

"Neal," said Kel quietly. He stopped, as she turned her attention back to the thing in front of them. "We end this now. Give Neal the baby. And then you can have me."

"What! Kel, no! You can't!"

"I can Neal. I must." Kel's voice had not changed. It was emotionless, smooth. "It won't end otherwise. Can't you see that?"

"But…but…"

Kel finally took her eyes off Lalasa, for a moment, and looked straight at him. Neal felt any argument crumble. He knew the look she had in her hazel eyes. It was the same look she'd had in Scanra, that first time, when they went after the refugees. Nothing he said would change her mind.

He had no words. He nodded.

Kel turned back to the Shadow-Lalasa, which was standing there with head cocked to one side, watching them curiously. "You'll let me in?"

The Lady Knight nodded.

"No resistance? I can pass on my message?"

Curiosity overtook Neal. "So there is a message? Why can't you just tell us it now?"

The look that those black eyes shot him made him curl up inside.

"Just take Kellan, Neal," said Kel softly.

Despite every bone in his body screaming that this was wrong, Neal sheathed his sword and held his arms out. The thing that was currently Lalasa hesitated slightly. It looked over at Kel.

"I have your word on this?"

Kel sheathed her own sword. "My word as a knight of the realm."

Lalasa smiled. "And we know full well that you always keep your word, Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan." She turned and passed Neal the bundle in her arms.

Clutching Kellan tightly, Neal stepped back, powerless, as the Shadow-Lalasa walked forward until it was standing directly in front of his best friend.

Kel stared down at the face of her ex-maid, with a deadpan expression. Neal couldn't tell what she was thinking behind that still mask of hers.

"What do I need to do?"

Lalasa smiled. "Nothing My Lady. Just let me in. No resisting. No fighting. Just let me into your mind totally." She raised her hands and rested them lightly on either side of Kel's head.

Kel's gaze drifted upwards to Neal. He found himself pleading with her silently, even though he knew it was useless.

The thing that had possessed Lalasa whispered, "What fun we're going to have."

Kel's eyes widened with sudden terror, as a black something flew out of Lalasa and engulfed Kel before disappearing.

The bodies of both women fell to the ground, leaving Neal standing alone in the dim room. In his arms, the baby stirred and began to cry.

"Oh Kellan," Neal whispered. "What have we done?"