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here?”

A growl rumbled from behind the door, the sound giving Lyra pause. Biting her lip, she leaned forward to peek around the door and found two sets of red eyes glowing from within the shadows. The growls grew louder and Lyra backed out the door and across the yard, not taking her eyes off the doorway until her back struck the manor wall. Lifting the skirt of her dress, she drew the dagger strapped to her thigh.

Lyra held still for a moment with the dagger pointed toward the dark doorway, but nothing emerged from the building. After glancing toward the other dogs, busily gnawing on the beef leg bones, she bolted around the house, darted across the courtyard, opened the door, and slammed it behind her. Panting, she leaned against the door and closed her eyes.

“What’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Lyra opened her eyes, facing Cal as he stood beside the kitchen table, his fingers resting on his open journal.

“Something’s wrong with Gilo and Striah.” Lyra shivered again. “It almost seems like demons are inside them.”

“Don’t be silly,” Cal scoffed. “Demons don’t exist. Whatever it is, there must be a good explanation. Where are they?”

“They’re in the shed. I fed the others, but neither of them came out to eat. When I went in to find them, they growled at me and…their eyes…” She shivered.

Cal nodded. “I’ll go check on them. You stay here.”

As Cal left the building, Lyra sat at the table and set her knife beside the journal. Finding herself worried about Cal, she turned toward the door. Although he was able to use magic, she didn’t know how it might protect him. Her gaze returned to the table and the open journal, noticing a sketch depicting a rising sun and three symbols. Notes beside two of the symbols read Press to release hidden panel.

Wondering what the image and notes meant, she turned the page and found a drawing of a sword. The weapon had odd lines on the blade and a note that read Moving air makes it sing when swung. Another note pointed to a spot near the hilt and said etch rune here.

The door burst open and slammed closed with Cal leaning against it as Lyra had. His eyes met hers and he spoke between his gasps for air.

“Something is wrong with those dogs.”

Lyra grunted. “I’m glad you noticed. What do we do?”

Cal shrugged. “I have no idea.”

“What if this happens to the others?” Lyra asked.

Cal nodded. “My fears, exactly.”

13

A woman passed by, carrying a loaf of bread and a wrapped cut of meat. Lyra watched the woman until she turned at the next corner and disappeared. The street fell quiet, as if most of the people were still sleeping despite it being mid-afternoon. An old woman walked past, Lyra’s eyes following her as she passed a young man heading in the opposite direction. The young man’s eyes met Lyra’s and a smile formed on his face. He altered his direction slightly and approached her, his gaze focused on her body rather than her face.

“My, my. What’s a fine young lass doing all alone on a street corner in Sol Polis?”

He stood a full head taller than she did and had a thick frame. While he was not unattractive, his gaze set Lyra on edge.

“I’m minding my own business,” she waved him off. “You should move along and do the same.”

He put a hand on her shoulder and forced her back a step, the lute strapped to her back colliding with the brick wall.

“Since I like what I see, I think I’ll make you my business.” His gaze flicked down toward her chest. “I have a few coppers to spare and can make it worth your while.”

“Coppers?” She arched her brow, but kept a straight face as she considered how to access the knife hidden beneath her skirts. I miss my breeches.

His gaze ran down the length of her dress again and he shrugged. “Fine. I’ll pay a silver. But it better be good.”

“I’ll do one better.”

Lyra and the young man turned toward the voice to find Cal standing beside them.

“I’ll pay with this stone.” Cal held out his palm, revealing a small stone with a symbol drawn on it. Red sparks flickered within Cal’s eyes, dimming as the symbol on the stone flared with crimson light.

“What?” the tall stranger said as the glow receded. “How…”

The stone tumbled from Cal’s outstretched hand and landed on the other man’s foot. The stranger’s eyes grew wide, his mouth doing the same although no sound came out. The man gasped as he tried to catch his breath. His body shook and a look of horror emerged when he looked down at his foot.

Lyra’s gaze followed his, and she discovered that the stone had flattened the man’s boot, creating a concave indentation where the rock lay. The man struggled to move, but his foot remained in place as if it were nailed to the ground.

“I’m sorry.” Cal patted the man on the shoulder. “Clumsy me. I’m all butterfingers sometimes.”

Cal gently gripped Lyra’s elbow. “Come along, Tali. We’ve an appointment to keep at the Citadel.”

Looking back at the man, Lyra found tears streaking down his cheeks as he tried to work his foot free.

Cal stopped a few strides away and turned back toward the man. “Kind sir, if you don’t mind me saying, you appear to be in a bit of pain. I suggest you visit the nearest temple to request a healer.”

He then turned and headed toward the heart of the city.

Lyra caught up to Cal, glancing at him as they walked side-by-side. “Why’d you do that?”

“You appeared uncomfortable with the way he had you cornered. I’m familiar with men like that, men who have little respect for the rights of women.” He shrugged. “I wanted to help.”

Lyra was about to state that she could take care of herself when Cal interrupted.

“I have no time for men who treat women like they are objects.”

Lyra’s response never left her lips. Considering his words, she again found herself surprised.

After a moment, she asked, “What did you do to him anyway?”

Cal grinned. “A small bit of magic. It should wear off in about an hour, and he’ll be free to go on his way, but the man’s foot will be a mess until he gets it healed.”

“You mentioned a healer. Is that like a Medicus?”

“Remember when you fell into my pit and I healed you?”

Lyra nodded, recalling the embarrassing and painful moment with clarity.

“There are others within the Ministry who perform that type of magic. He’ll likely find such a man at the nearest temple. Even after he’s healed, I hope he has learned a lesson.”

They reached the corner and the narrow street opened to reveal the Citadel. Cal led them to the gate and addressed the guard stationed there.

“I must meet with the Council about an urgent matter.”

The guard nodded and stepped aside to allow Cal and Lyra to enter. They crossed the empty plaza as Cal led them up the stairs and inside.

Without pausing, Cal led Lyra directly toward the same room they had visited last time, not seeing another soul other than the single guard who stood outside the door. The armored man stepped in their path, and Cal gave the man an even glare. The guard’s eyes shifted down and away, unwilling to meet Cal’s gaze as he stepped aside. With a grunt, Cal walked past and thrust the door open. Lyra found herself grinning as she followed him inside.

Unlike last time, there was nobody in the room other than the men seated on the thirteen thrones. The man who was speaking stopped abruptly and turned toward Cal. The other twelve men did the same.

“What is the meaning of this interruption?” one of the men demanded.

Before Cal could respond, the man named Victor spoke. “You better have something meaningful to report.”

Cal nodded to Victor as he stopped before the dais. “Yes. I believe you will find my latest discovery quite meaningful.”

The Archon leaned forward and tented his fingers before his lips. Without a word, he nodded toward Cal.

“When I last stood before the council, it was with a dog by my side. That dog was the first of ten test subjects, each receiving a permanent augmentation of increased size.”

Cal turned toward Lyra, his intense eyes meeting hers. She gave him a slight nod, which he returned before turning toward the dais.

“For days, the test subjects exhibited no side effects. However, after two weeks passed, the first dogs began to change. Their coats began to grow darker, their hair soon becoming black. Within days, the others began to exhibit similar transformations.”

“Their hair turned black?” Victor blurted, leaning forward in his chair. “Why are you bothering us with such a

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