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“Then maybe that’s why Khronus wants you. He has been collecting powerful witches. Many are never seen again.”

I can hear the lingering bitterness in her voice. Is she remembering her mother?

“I’ve been defying my uncle’s orders,” Sheela continues. “Going in and healing Khaosti as well as I can, but it’s becoming harder and harder. He’s disappearing inside himself. I can’t reach him.” A single tear rolls down her cheek. “And he’s becoming dangerous. I fear for my life. Last night, he ripped my throat open. It took all my healing powers to recover. I’m scared to go back.”

That does not sound good.

“Where is he being kept?” I ask. Because obviously I’m going to have to get him out of there. And soon. Khaosti was always so controlled. I can’t imagine him like that. Or maybe I don’t wantto. I can hear the fear in Sheela’s voice. I’ve seen Khaosti’s wolf in action and it’s scary enough when he’s in control.

“You’re not thinking about going there?” Zayne says, his tone incredulous. “It’s clearly a trap. This Khronus guy—who sounds like as big an asshole as his son by the way—is probably just waiting for you to turn up so he can get you as well.”

He could well be right. I turn to Sheela. “Is it a trap, do you think?”

It occurs to me that this whole set up could be one big trap, Sheela included. Maybe she’s here under Khronus’s orders. But if he knew I was here, why not just send a bunch of badass warriors to pick me up? Overall, I think I trust her.

“I don’t think so. Khronus is too arrogant to believe anyone would even try and attack him where he is strongest.”

“And maybe he has a valid fucking point,” Zayne mutters.

Sheela ignores him—she’s learning fast. “I think he’s just furious at Khaosti and no longer trusts his loyalty. But there’s something else…”

Isn’t there always? “What?”

“Early on, Khaosti had a brief moment when I was healing him that he managed to shift back. He wasn’t very lucid, but he did say something.”

I raise a brow, wishing she would get to the point, so I can get moving and do something. Anything.

“He said: ‘Tell Amber to stay away.’”

Zayne snorts. “Hey, I never thought I would say it but that asshole gives good advice.”

“That was when I first came back here,” Sheela adds. “To see if Brown had seen you again. So I could tell you to—”

“Stay away?” Zayne suggests helpfully.

“No. I think you’re his only hope. There are plenty of people—especially in the army—loyal to Khaosti, but they won’t go up against Khronus.”

“No, you have to be a particular breed of stupid to do that.” Zayne again. I cast him a you’re-not-being-helpful glance.

Part of me knows he’s right. The idea of going to the Astral Plain and facing Khronus again fills me with a sick sort of terror. I can still feel his power beating at me, prying inside me, tearing me apart. He’s a beastmaster—he can force shifters to change, and it’s not a nice easy change either. It freaking hurts. And once you’ve changed, then you’re his to command. That’s what he’s doing to Khaosti. I can’t even imagine what he’s going through, and my chest aches at the thought.

I still haven’t forgiven him. Not for telling his father about me—he didn’t know me when he did that—but for not telling me about it later. When he did know me. When we had made love. Maybe he was ashamed, but shame and Khaosti don’t really go together. Maybe he just thought I would never know.

Anyway, leaving him there is not an option.

So I ask again, “Where is he exactly?”

“In the dungeons beneath the palace.”

“And could we get him out? Preferably without meeting Khronus.”

She’s silent for a minute. Obviously it’s not a straightforward question, which doesn’t fill me with any great confidence.

“Maybe,” she finally says. “My uncle will attend a big meeting tomorrow night. It will take place in the city square. It’s to update the people as to how the war is progressing.”

“The war?”

She frowns “There has been a civil war raging on Astrali for thousands of years. Or maybewaris too strong a word. But there are those who will not bow down to Khronus’s rule. They believe we should be governed by the Council, as was the way long ago, not by one man.”