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"I'm an elite and the
sondaleur
," I told him in my haughtiest voice. "I was trying to prevent an Aquidae from hurting humans. That's part of the job."

"Yes. But in an organized manner and with lots of backup." He glanced at Aubrey and Chloe. "You two. Go back with Garreth and Adrian."

The girls shot me sympathetic looks and joined the others at the school SUV.

"You're not supposed to go after Aquidae on your own, Kendra."

Irritation bloomed. He was completely missing the point. "Did you see that woman back there? Her son went missing and that Aquidae probably took him! That's what you should be following up on. Not arresting people who haven't done anything."

"There's no proof an Aquidae took the boy."

There was no proof. But instincts told me I was right.

If I'd only been a little faster…

"Where were you, anyway?" I snapped. "I wasn't alone. You just couldn't keep up."

I knew it was bitchy. But that demon shouldn't have gotten away.

"You were pulling in a lot of magic," he said.

What did that mean?

"And even if an Aquidae was among humans, it's not our problem."

My mouth opened, but he continued. "Our priorities are elementals and especially the
sondaleur
. We encountered a nix. I had to assess and contain the threat."

"Ian's not a threat! I've known him for years!"

"We need to find out what his intentions are toward you and Haverleau. Not go chasing after a human who probably ran away from his mom."

His expression made it clear he didn't blame the kid for his actions.

"So you're going to pretend it didn't happen?"

"It's highly unlikely for Aquidae to take someone in broad daylight with so many witnesses. And you say it disappeared?" Skepticism crossed his face. "You know they can't do that. You probably thought you felt —"

"I wasn't imagining it," I said through my teeth.

"You've been using magic a lot lately and you haven't been sleeping well." He patted my shoulder. It took considerable patience to keep from punching him. "Maybe you sensed something that wasn't really there."

Seething, I refused to say another word to him the entire way back.

No matter what Ewan said, I knew the truth. The boy who'd flushed pink under my gaze wouldn't have run away.

I was too late.

Dark shadows of foreboding closed in, sending icy rivulets of fear down my spine.

 ***

Snow fell overnight, covering the lawn in a shimmering blanket of white. Reflected light from bright afternoon sun shafted in through tall windows.

Marcella and Gabe's annual holiday party for elites was in full swing. Packed with students, faculty, and friends, their house burst with the redolence of spicy vanilla and the warm cadences of conversation and laughter.

Cam and Alex joked with Ethan and Blaise near the fireplace. I knew I should join them, but I had other concerns on my mind.

Last night, I spent hours trying to find out about Ian from Ewan and the other gardinels. I wanted to make sure he was okay. But nobody would tell me anything and I was at this party to speak to someone who would.

As Head Chevalier, Gabe could pull strings and get me in to see Ian. It was a matter of figuring out how to persuade him.

I didn't expect it to be easy. A former military man, my uncle tended to be absolute on rules. He wasn't my first choice to go to for help.

The memory of silky dark hair, deep eyes, and refined, beautiful features rose.

He'd left over six months ago. But his masculine scent, the feel of his lips, and the way he looked at me still emerged at the most unexpected moments.

Taking a deep breath, I shoved the feelings down and locked them behind the concrete hardness.

I wasn't the same person as I was then. I'd never be that weak again.

Scanning the living and dining area, I spotted Gabe in the hallway with Michael and Anton, two other school instructors. He threw his head back and roared with laughter over something Anton said.

"That's the reason I chose him as a mate."

The refreshing smell of grass after the rain floated from behind and I turned. As always, I was struck by how beautiful my aunt was.

Raven hair flowed, highlighting creamy skin glowing with health and vibrancy. Marcella gazed at Gabe with a soft tenderness and an uncomfortable ache gnawed in my chest.

"What do you mean?"

"He does everything with all of himself. Whether he's laughing, fighting, or caring about someone. I knew I'd be happy with him."

Alex posed with a pair of ridiculous reindeer antlers on his head. Blaise and Ethan egged him on and Cam snapped photos with his cell.

"Does he make you happy?" My voice sounded a bit empty.

Hazel eyes were more knowing than I'd like.

"He makes me happier," she said quietly. "No one person can make you happy, Kendra. But love doesn't have to make you weak. It can make you stronger."

The ache intensified. I couldn't have what she had with Gabe. Anyone who came near the
sondaleur
was a target.

"Cookies should be done. Help me bring them out."

Grateful for the change in subject, I followed her into the cheery kitchen. Light streamed through a window above the sink and the tempting scent of baked sugar drifted in the air. Her bracelet twinkled as she pulled a sheet out of the oven.

"That looks amazing."

I reached for a delicate cookie and she slapped my hand. "Let it cool a little. Is the cafeteria food really that bad?"

"Yep. Inedible garbage."

"Maybe I'll talk to Headmaster Pelletier about it. I have to speak to him about a few ideas for my class."

Marcella had taken a temporary teaching position at Lumière Academy for the year and now taught second grade Elemental Environment classes.

She was a Redavi and the Governor's daughter. I couldn't imagine why she'd voluntarily want to be in a room full of loud kids, but she seemed to love it.

I leaned against the counter. "How're classes going?"

"Really well. I have an excellent intern who's provided great support." Her mouth tilted up at the corner. "I'm grateful she can still see after what you did to her."

Wait.

"
Amber
? She's interning with you?"

Amber Blanchard was a bitchy Redavi ondine I'd punched near the end of the last school year. Due to the stress I'd been under at the time, I'd gotten off with a punishment of cleaning out ondine dorm toilets for a month.

"She chose the Education Department's internship and was assigned to my class."

"Probably gets off on bullying the students."

Marcella gave me a reproachful look. "No. She enjoys being around children and wants to be a teacher after she graduates."

I didn't know what surprised me more. The fact that Amber liked kids or that she wanted to work after graduation.

Academy seniors chose afternoon internships based on the career they were interested in pursuing. Since most Redavi lived off their inheritances, they usually selected token departments to coast through.

Aubrey was in the Technology Department, which managed utilities for the entire community. Haverleau was hidden from the human world, but it siphoned off a large amount of resources.

It took heavy duty work to ensure the electric, water, cell, and cable companies didn't catch on.

Chloe worked on diplomatic affairs at the State Department. The position suited her, but she'd complained a few times about how boring it was.

"Did you intern with the Education Department when you were a senior?"

"Worried I was like Amber?"

Maybe my face really was that transparent.

"I didn't have much of a choice." A shadow of regret flickered through her eyes. "As the Governor's daughter, I was expected to intern directly under Rhian."

Wow. That must have sucked.

"But I always wanted to teach," she continued. "So when the opportunity came up at the Academy, I took it. It's been a good experience, especially with what's happening —"

"Those students are lucky to have you." Gabe walked in and wrapped his arms around Marcella.

I straightened. "With what stuff happening?"

Marcella leaned into his chest. "Should we tell her?"

Curiosity heightened.

"I don't know if that's—"

"Uh-uh." I shook my head. "You know I'll keep going until I get it out of you."

Gabe's only response was a grunt.

Marcella grinned. "Are you ready for change?"

I lifted my brow, but deliberately showed no other reaction.

She shrugged. "If you don't want to know…"

"Okay, okay. Tell me already."

"You're going to have a cousin."

She lightly touched her stomach and understanding kicked in.

"You're pregnant?"

"Shhh!" Gabe hushed. "We haven't told anyone yet."

"Sorry."

It was probably rude to stare, but I couldn't believe a little person was growing inside her.

No. Not a person.

My cousin.

"Kendra?" Marcella's soft voice penetrated the shock.

"That's incredible. Really." A wide smile spread on my face. "Congratulations."

She beamed and I realized her radiance was more than just beauty and good health.

"If the baby's an ondine, maybe she'll be a Teleporter like Rhian," she mused.

"
That's
her Virtue?"

I always thought Teleporters were cool, ninja-like ondines who could travel anywhere in the blink of an eye. Like genies or something.

My frozen, old statue of a grandmother definitely did not fit that image.

Exasperation crossed her face. "Have you cracked open a history book since you got here?"

Not this again.

"Of course I have." I bristled.

When I first got it, I opened it to put my name on the inside cover.

"If you read it, you'd know how strong her Teleportation Virtue is," she pointed out. "She's been Governor for forty years. Her life's an important part of ondine history."

Spending time with Rhian was never pleasant. I had no desire to waste additional time reading about her.

Gabe rubbed her arms. "The baby might have another Virtue."

A pause.

"Maybe," she said quietly.

Not Clairvoyance or Empath.

My mother's Virtue nearly drove her out of her mind and an Empath…well, I was pretty sure she didn't want her kid to turn out like me.

I imagined Marcella picking up a baby girl in her arms, their faces alight with laughter. My mom taught me how to throw a correct punch when I was three.

Uncomfortable at the memory, I shifted my attention to why I was here.

"I need to talk to you."

Light brown eyes filled with wariness. "You know I can't let you see him."

"Ewan overreacted. He went Rambo-gardinel because Ian knows me."

"He took the appropriate measures against a nix." Gabe shook his head. "He poses a significant danger."

Ian obsessively listened to 80s music, avoided confrontation, thought
The Matrix
was the best thing since sliced bread, and volunteered at animal shelters in his spare time.

His idea of a perfect evening was discussing technology as a means of helping the developing world.

He was as dangerous as a hamster.

"This is stupid." I crossed my arms. "I know him. He's not the great evil mastermind you think he is."

Gabe's expression turned speculative. "Does he trust you?"

Oh, no.

"I'm
not
going to interrogate him."

"Not interrogate. Just talk to him like you normally do. He hasn't said a word since he arrived."

Anger flared. "Because he's scared! You should've seen the way the gardinels treated him."

"They were doing their jobs, Kendra." His voice hardened. "You're an elite now. You should know what that means."

That didn't mean I had to accept the way they did it.

"They treated him like he was Aquidae. He doesn't deserve that."

Marcella glanced up at Gabe and his face slightly softened. "If you can get him to talk, you could help him."

I instinctively didn't like the idea of asking Ian for answers I'd have to pass on. I wasn't a rat, not by a long shot.

But maybe Gabe was right. I needed to prove Ian wasn't a threat and getting him to explain his side of things might help.

I took a deep breath. "What do you need?"

"The reason he's in Lyondale. If there are others like him in the area we should be concerned about."

"I can't guarantee he'll tell me anything."

"Somehow, I think you'll manage," he said dryly.

"So you'll get me in?"

"I'll take you tonight."

The tension in my stomach eased and I helped Marcella arrange a plate of cooled cookies.

I snuck a look at Gabe. He seemed in a pleasant enough mood.

No throbbing vein over his eye, at least.

"Julian left on another mission, huh?"

No response.

"Since I'm kind of doing you a favor by talking to Ian, you could tell me where he—"

"Sure."

Excitement shot through me.

"As soon as you show me the tattooed chevalier mark on your arm."

I sighed. It was worth a try.

Marcella laughed and the three of us headed back to the party.

"How's Chloe doing?" Gabe asked.

"Okay, I guess." Surprised, I turned to him. "Why?"

"She's been through a lot."

It was a sobering comment.

Chloe and her father spent the summer with distant relatives at an ondine community in Florida. Oliver Moreaux had a difficult time managing his grief since the execution of his mate.

In the end, he decided to stay and only Chloe returned. Her mother's betrayal left a permanent pained aftertaste within Haverleau.

"Sometimes I wonder what kind of world we're bringing a child into," Gabe murmured and walked away.

I bit into a cookie and watched Marcella's glowing profile as she chatted with a guest. My soon-to-be cousin had no choice in being born to the Irisavie family, a group of people stuck right in the middle of this war.