"We are dismayed by your performance," the voice continued."You were supposed to watch the girl."
Something very bad. A new terror seized me. Not the fear that I might be beaten or robbed by hooligans, but the fear that I had disappointed my benefactors, my brothers, and that I would face their justice, which was legendary.
I swallowed hard."Yes, brother, I did watch her, but--"
The voice rose sharply."You were supposed to watch her and report to us. That is all. Was this mission too difficult for you, novice?"
I could not speak, so great was my fear.
"Why did you not report to us the moment she entered the realms?"
"I--I thought I had things well in hand."
"And did you?"
"No." My answer hung in the air like so much smoke from the candles. "No, you did not. And now the realms have been breached. The unthinkable has happened."
I rubbed my sweaty palms against my knees, but it did not help. The cold, metallic taste of fear worked its way into my mouth. There was much I didn't know about the organization to which I'd pledged myself, my loyalty, my very life, as my brother had before me. Amar had told me stories of the Rakshana, of their code of honor. Their place in history as protectors of the realms.
"If you'd come to us immediately, we could have contained the situation."
"With all due respect, she is not what I expected." I paused to think of the girl I'd left behind--headstrong, with startling green eyes."I believe that she means well."
The voice boomed. "That girl is more dangerous than she knows. And more of a threat than you realize, boy. She has the potential to destroy us all. And now, between the two of you, the power has been unleashed. Chaos reigns."
"But she defeated Circe's assassin."
"Circe has more than one dark spirit at her disposal." The voice continued. "That girl shattered the runes that have housed the magic and kept it safe for generations. Do you understand that there is no control? The magic is loose inside the realms for any spirit to use. Already, many are using it to corrupt the spirits who must cross. They will bring them to the Winterlands and fortify their strength. How long before they weaken the veil between the realms and this world? Before they find a way to Circe or she finds a way in? How long before she has the power she covets?"