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'They experience the same things you do … you're using the animal's senses, after all.'

'That's why your bear roared?' said Fyia, everything becoming clear. 'Because she was suddenly assaulted by … me?' And Fyia had tried to push back along the imprint … had offered the bear membership of her own Cruaxee … Cal's bear. 'No wonder she doesn't like me.'

'It surprised her,' he said. 'I gave her no warning.'

'Why did you do it?'

Cal shook his head. 'Maybe the Fae'ch magic affected my rational mind.'

Fyia scowled. 'Your mind is not so easy for them to alter as your eye color. Can you remove the touch?'

'No. Or at least, I don't know how.'

'So every time we're in the same room …'

'No. It's not constant. I must choose to use the connection, and my bear will only tolerate my borrowing her senses for so long. She needs them to survive.'

'Good,' said Fyia. 'Don't use it again.'

Fyia descended the steps to the main part of the library, preoccupied with thoughts of why Cal had done it … created her magical bond with his bear. Had the magic of the Fae'ch truly scrambled his senses, or was he hiding some other motivation he didn’t want her to know? She had no reason to trust the Black Hoods, just as they had no reason to trust her.

At least she'd learned something—that she too, if she so wished, could use her life-bonded Cruaxee in this way. The ability to use her wolves' senses without their presence was intriguing. The only reason she hadn't tried it out on Cal was that it was permanent, and he didn't truly understand the magic. Magic was tricksy, and mischievous. Only a fool would trust that a Cruaxee echo … imprint … touch … whatever it was … could be so simple. How could it be? He'd linked his bear to her forever …

Maybe she could use the echo to her own advantage … could she tap into the bear's senses also? The bear would surely fight her, but she could try. Or maybe that was what Cal wanted, so he could exile her from his lands for attacking his bear …

She couldn't let the King distract her. She was here for the egg, and to unite their nations. The knowledge he'd offered was a bonus—penance for the bond Cal had touched her with—but she couldn't take her eyes off the prize.

She reached the library's entrance, and found Rouel awaiting her. 'The King has requested your presence in the town hall,' he said, his voice low and unusually serious.

Fyia nodded, a prickle of unease travelling down her spine. 'Do you know more?'

'Something to do with Edu … that's all I know.'

Fyia took off towards the town hall at a brisk pace, this time ignoring the stalls filled with wonders. It was a short walk, and as she climbed through the window, she assessed the scene—Edu sat on a sturdy wooden chair, Zhura, Aaron, and Cal standing over him. How had Cal got here before her? Was this the reason he'd ended their session so abruptly? If so, how had he known?

'You sent for me?' said Fyia, her voice light, and an easy smile on her lips.

'I caught your commander snooping,' said Zhura.

'How do you mean?' said Fyia, noting Zhura's irritated expression.

'I think my words are clear enough.'

'What does Edu have to say?' asked Cal, apparently not yet up to speed either.

'Zhura was spying on me,' said Edu. 'She's been trailing me all morning, so I asked a couple of questions to flush her out.'

Zhura made a warning noise deep in her throat. 'I may go wherever I please, seeing as I am a Black Hood. You may stay in our lands only so long as our King sees fit … which depends on your ability to observe respectful boundaries.'

'Do respectful boundaries include searching our rooms?' said Edu. 'Because I believe they have been combed from top to bottom.'

It wasn't surprising … par for the course when visiting foreign lands.

Zhura clenched her teeth.

'If there are things you wish to know, why not just ask me?' said the King.

'Cal …' said Zhura.