He looked up from his scattered, messy desk. Candles bobbed in the air around him, shedding light on books and paperwork. Outside the sun sank into the horizon, fading behind the shadows of Letum Wood.“I haven’t seen him,” he said, his eyes looking bloodshot and fatigued. “Not since he spoke with the High Priestess a few hours ago.”My teeth bit into my bottom lip. That conversation was the reason I wanted to find him. “Did he get in trouble because my powers aren’t under control yet?” I asked, fearing the worst.Papa hesitated and slowly shook his head.“No.”The reserved tone in his voice told me all I needed to know. Merrick’s fate was as tied up in whether I regained control as mine was. It was a terrible burden.“Any news from the Borderlands?”The drawn, tired lines returned to his face.“Yes. The West has successfully started to draw water from the river. The High Priestess is following the directions in the Mansfeld Pact and sending a formal message to them tonight.”“Is this the first she’s sent?”He shook his head again.“No.
