The Drifting (64 page)

I turn about and remember where I am.  We’re standing at the only location of the doorway to Malainisi.  From here I don’t need Cessa’s stone to call her.  She
comes
through the darkness and saunters over to me.  I look her over and the effect of the drug Harlu used on her seems to have disappeared. 

She nuzzles at my hand and I rub at her ears, glad to see she’s okay and there are no lingering signs of the drug.  I catch her by the chin and ask quietly, “Where is she?”

I can feel Alorn and Mellis move in closer, waiting to
hear
what the black cat has to sa
y.  It doesn’t take me long before I explode.  “She what?  Who the hell sent her back to Pathen?”  I wait as Cessa growls her words at me. 

I spin away from her in frustratio
n, “You’ve got to be kidding me!
”  I turn back
to
the cat who stares back at me with her most innocent look possible.  “How long ago?”
I demand but then
look about us calling out, “Really,
M
other?  Can you complicate things any further?  And Senestra, how can you just send her off unprotected?”

No answer.  I knew my mother’s spirit was still with us.  She came to me one night to let me know that she waits for E’leiana.  But I didn’t know that Senestra was here, too. 

I turn to Alorn, “We leave as soon as Tolan gets here, but you go and see if you can find her.  The time difference gives her a week’s lead.  I can’t imagine her being anywhere else but
San Diego
, and I don’t know what she’s thinking or what her plan is.”  I look back at Cessa and give her an arch
ed
look.  She growls low.  “Okay, start there.  Cessa says she’s gone back to get Julia and the Manui Stone.”
 
Alorn nods and takes off without another word. 

“What are you going to do when you find
Lily
, Tharin?” asks Mellis as we watch after Alorn’s departure.

I take a patient breath.  I knew she would drive me mad, but this little stunt has taken me over the edge.  “I’m going to kill her.”

~ * ~

End of Book
Two
of the Velesi Series