It was built of the same white stone as the palace, but more intricately carved.
“God, it looks like icing,” Mal muttered. “Like a fancy cake.”
They entered through the large, arched doorway. Several young women in flowing, gauzy dresses of white and pale blue met them.
Inside, there were flowers everywhere. They were all pale colors as well, energy wafting off them.
A tall brunette appeared, her hair flowing to her waist. “She’s waiting for you, Overlord.”
“Thank you.”
They entered through another ornate archway. Beyond lay a shadowed room, candles flickering, creating islands of light. A shallow pool of water sat in the center. Light filtered down from above, making the surface shine silver.
A woman stepped forward.
The witch was a few years older than Rhain. Tall, slender, with a wisp of a white dress on, she had long, dark hair that fell below her hips.
She was beautiful, but the constant immersion in the energy left her thin, brittle, her cheekbones like blades.
She wore a single, silver flower tucked behind one ear. Her eyes were so silver that they looked white, sparking with electricity.
Beside him, he felt Mal stiffen.
“Overlord.” The woman’s voice held a faint, sibilant rasp.
“Priestess.”
The woman turned her eerie gaze to Mal. “Mallory West of Earth.”
“Ah, nice to meet you.”
“You’ve come a long way.”
“Accidentally.”
“I sense you are where you’re supposed to be.”
Mal glanced at Rhain, then back at the woman. “I have to find my friend.”
“Yes, before it’s too late.”
Mal took a step forward. “Do you know something? Is Poppy all right?”
“She has a difficult journey ahead.”
“Um, do you give straight answers?”
The woman spread long-fingered hands. “I share what the energy shares with me.”
Mal released a long breath. “Okay.”
“Overlord, you must face Krastin. The prosperity of Zhalto depends on it.”
“How do we find him?” Rhain asked.
“I don’t know all the answers. Some, you will have to uncover for yourself.”
He winced.
“Rhain?” Mal said.
“She wants to do a vision.”
“What does that mean?” Mal asked.
“You must both step into the energy.” The priestess touched her finger to the pool of water.
A blast of energy filled the room, and the water flew up, then fell back down into the pool.
Mal gasped and stepped backward.
Energy rose like a mist, twisting around the pool and into the air. It looked like a whirlwind, sparking with different colors.
“We have to step into that?” Mal breathed.
“It won’t hurt you,” he said. “But it’s not pleasant.”
“You’ve done it before?”
“A few times.”
“Well, if it helps us find Poppy…”
He held out his hand and she took it.
Together they stepped into the energy maelstrom.
Chapter Twelve
Oh. God.
It was like stepping into a vortex. Energy whipped around Mal and stung her skin. She wondered how long she would have to endure the discomfort.
Then, suddenly, it seemed to flow more evenly, like it was adjusting itself to her.
Strong fingers squeezed hers, and she looked up into silver eyes. She loved looking at those eyes.
Rhain pulled her closer, and she wrapped her arms around him.
Images hammered at her brain, like flashes of light, too fast to comprehend.
She saw Rhain. She saw Krastin. She saw Poppy.
She saw herself and Rhain in the garden. Naked. His big hands on her body.
Desire swamped her.
She looked up and saw that his eyes were glowing, and she felt the throb between her legs.
She went up on her toes and kissed him.
It was wild, hungry. He hauled her closer. The energy enhanced it all, but she knew Rhain was potent enough without it.
They kissed in the center of the energy storm, and nothing had ever felt more right.
Mal felt truly connected to him, not alone, like she was important to this man.
Then slowly, the energy died away.
They broke the kiss, and stood there staring at each other.
The energy witch laughed. “Energy loves to transform and change, kill and unite.”
Great, more useless drivel.
“What did you see?” Rhain asked the witch, his voice husky.
“You two are connected. Where you are supposed to be.”
“Poppy?” Mal prompted. “How do we find her?”
“Follow the pull. You are sensitive to the energy, Mallory West, open yourself.”
She felt something in her chest, a faint tug. She rubbed her breastbone.
The witch smiled. “Yes.”
“Thank you, Priestess,” Rhain said.
“I know you dislike visiting me, Overlord.”
“Not you, the visions.”
“Because you’re a man who likes to forge his own way. It is not incompatible. The future is always fluid, but some things are harder to change. Your own actions will define you.” She paused. “You may find your friend changed, Mal. She’ll need your help.”
“What does that mean?” Mal asked.
The glow in the witch’s eyes dimmed. “That’s all the energy has shown me. Go now.”
Mal walked out with Rhain. When they stepped into the sunshine, she blinked.
“Well, that was interesting.”
He touched her cheek. “Are you all right?”
“I think so.”
“It often makes little sense at first.”
She rubbed her eyes. “It’s all a confusing jumble…” She turned, and her chest throbbed.
“What?” he asked.
“I do feel, like, a pressure. Like I want to head in a certain direction.”
“Where?”
She swiveled. “East.”
Rhain sucked in a breath. “Do you think that you’re sensing your friend in the energy field?”
“I have no idea. Maybe? I mean, I can’t do that on Earth.”
“But you appear to be very energy sensitive, and here, you have new abilities.”
“We don’t have anything to lose following this compulsion,” she said.
“Then let’s plan a trip back to the Barrens and see where it leads us.”
After that, everything became a whirlwind of preparation. Back at the palace, Rhain barked orders, and his advisors and fighters snapped into action.
“It’s best if we first head to the Emex Outpost,” Thadd said.
Back in the planning room, they stood by the circular table.
“Do we fly to the outpost?” someone asked.
The captain shook his head. “I suggest we take the ruggers. The flyers are too hard to hide, and emit too much energy. I think that’s how the Zhylaw found us before.”
“What is this outpost?” Mal asked.
“A heavily fortified mining outpost,” Rhain said. “They have an energy shield.”
She nodded. “Sounds like a good base of operations.”
“Let’s assemble the team,” Rhain said. “Our best fighters.”
Back in Rhain’s room, Mal quickly showered and changed. Someone had delivered new armor for her, and she pulled it over her chest. She strapped on her sword.
Whatever she had to do to find Poppy, she’d do it.
Two tan-colored ruggers waited outside the palace. Rhain stood beside one, talking with some of his advisors. He caught her gaze and nodded.