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He glanced at the old-fashioned watch.

Forty-two and a half minutes.

And Maygar’s with Jon? They got in okay?

Revik nodded, giving me a bare glance.Jon and Maygar breached downstairs about fifteen minutes ago. Facial rec picked up Maygar. I felt it on Dulgar’s light.

I frowned. That explained a few things.

You think Shadow is behind the seers being moved?I asked.Or is it a coincidence?

Revik made a noncommittal gesture with his free hand.Not a coincidence, no. But maybe not Shadow himself.

What does that mean?At his silence, I frowned again.You think someone else is tracking List seers? Who? Salinse?

The buyer was Arabic… or pretending to be. I saw him consult a database of names on his hand-held. He was looking for specific seers. Every seer he took is on the List.Revik gave me a bare glance. Seeing my expression, he exuded a pulse of reassurance.It may be a coincidence. But they’re all highly ranked.

I bit my lip.That’s a pretty big coincidence, husband.

Revik conceded my words with a head tilt, still focused on the organic circuits.If it was Shadow, they’d be dead already, right? And they’re not. I felt them.

I didn’t answer that.

Pushing my hair out of my face, I grimaced.

Will you and ‘Dori be able to track them?I asked.

I felt a pulse off him. I couldn’t quite untangle the emotion there.

I don’t know. Whoever has them, they’ve got them under a pretty heavy shield.

I felt a sudden, sharp shift in the Barrier.

I turned towards the opening by the pool. More soldiers of the Legion of Fire were on their way. I felt them on the stairs, in the elevators. Balidor’s people would have to hurry if they were going to take control of this floor.

How far are the boats?I asked Revik, thinking of our daughter that time.

When he didn’t answer, I looked at him.

He was staring at the circuits. Some of their glow leaked onto the lower half of his face, turning it blue, and I could feel him there, inside the machine’s consciousness. I reached out my light, wondering if I could help, when he let out a sharp exhale, straightening.

You got it?

I think so… yes.

Even as he said it, the panel in the wall started to open.

Orange light flooded the area by the fireplace. When I looked up, I could see Revik’s face. He smiled, motioning me towards the five-foot passage.

You sure we should go in without a gun?I asked.That’s so unlike you, husband.

Clicking in mock disapproval, he tapped his temple with a tanned finger.

I snorted, shaking my head.Okay, walking bomb boy. Maybe you shouldn’t be pushing me to go first, then.

But I was already moving rapidly towards the opening.

I felt him behind me as I slid up to the edge of the wall, letting my light snake out lightly ahead. I didn’t feel anything.