26.7

Zyrdicia arrived at the appointed location early. She took a deep breath, trying to center herself in her body. The light-headedness had not abated. But she was slowly convincing herself that what had frightened her in Andireon's mind was something she could learn to understand - and master. She wanted to try it again.

The flat roof of the clock tower was deserted, as she had expected. The stairway leading up to it had collapsed decades ago. The only way to access it now was to fly up on wings, or with magic.

Draven chose the latter - he flew up over the edge of the railing not long after she arrived. He was early as well. He landed on the flat stone rooftop gracefully, his black leather coat flaring behind him.

She saw a look of surprise touch his eyes as he glanced at her, but he hid it quickly. As though on cue, a lock of his black hair fell down, partially shielding his eyes-and his expression. He smiled and said, "Thank you for the invitation, Your Grace."

She noted that he put an odd emphasis on the last two syllables and wondered whether he was mocking her somehow. There was no fear in his voice.

Instead of greeting him immediately, she walked to the edge of the tower, and looked out at the lights of Lyr's massive harbor, feigning disinterest in him. She inhaled the moist night air, pondering how to proceed. She focused on the sensation of the soft, cool winter breeze blowing inland from the sea. It smelled of rain, somewhere out in the distance. She forced herself to concentrate on the task at hand and resisted the urge to shiver at the cold.

Her back to him, she said coldly, "Asking for an audience with me is a good way to get killed."

"And yet here we are."

Turning around to look at him for the first time, she said, "A Sephiroth told me that our paths were fated to cross. Your request to meet me saved me the trouble of a hunt."

"A hunt for me?" He flashed a charismatic smile and pursed his lips as though that sounded like a fun game. "I don't know whether I'm more flattered that you intended to hunt me, or that a Sephiroth speaks to you of me."

"Are you a student the Old Priest's prophecies?"

"Not really. But I confess an interest in your adventures, Your Grace."

She arched a brow and wondered, "Are you a stalker?"

His dark eyes sparkled, and he grinned warmly. He said, "You were my idol when I was apprenticed at Lyr's Magic Guild as a boy. You were the reason I was expelled from the guild here."

"I had nothing to do with that fire. If I had, the whole guild hall would have burned, not just the apprentice dormitory."

"You had everything to do with the fire in the dormitory. You came as a guest lecturer for one day in my fifth year. You talked about the importance of rule-breaking and creativity in magic, the need to invent new spells rather than recite old ones from books. You described the modern spell practice of memorization as a task for trained monkeys. You suggested that if we wanted to ever be more than organ-grinding chimps, we should ignore our lessons and invent something new. I was inspired."

"I remember," she said vaguely, frowning as she thought back so many years. It made her feel a little old suddenly, and she was unaccustomed to such a sensation.

He continued, "I took your words to heart. Every time I was caught doing something creative that wasn't in the lesson, the instructors went apoplectic with rage. Then when the time came for us that year to pledge ourselves to a guild member as a sponsor, I wrote your name down."

"I've always refused to sponsor any guild apprentices. Surely you knew that then."

"I was convinced I would change your mind. But when they saw your name on my paper they forbade me to even ask you. I was so angry that I summoned the fire elemental to burn down the apprentice hall that night." His lips curled mischievously and he added, "I had a bit of a temper then."

"You had a tragic boyhood obsession," she teased, her tone cutting.

His impish expression suddenly became earnest. "It was far more profound than that. That lesson you gave was the most important thing I ever learned."

She realized it was a personal confession he had probably never shared with anyone. She said nothing, finding the intensity of his demeanor disquieting.

He continued, "Over the years, I've remained interested in - and inspired by - your magic. I had hoped to have an opportunity to meet you someday, to thank you."

She suspected he was a stalker, and his acquaintance with Magnus was a ruse to allow him to get near her.

He added, "I hadn't expected that it would be tonight. I was informed that you no longer reside in Lyr. I'd read you had moved away to be with the love of your life."

She heard the trace of mirth in his voice. It was the first time since her return to Lyr that anyone had dared to make any joke about her divorce. His irreverence brought hint of a smile to her lips.

She countered, "Azriok was the love of my life, and I've never resided in Hell." She started inwardly at the sound of her own words, regretting them instantly. Why was she talking about Azriok to this stranger? Had she intended the answer for Andireon's ears? She stiffened, wondering whether he was nearby listening.

"I'm referring to your recent human marriage," Draven said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Surely you've seen the papers reporting my divorce?"

"It's rare that the Liar reports good news."

Ignoring his open flirtation, she turned her back to him, staring out toward the harbor. The sense of vertigo she had experienced at the nightclub returned. "What is it you wanted to tell me that you wouldn't tell Magnus?" she demanded. Behind her, he said in a conspiratorial whisper, "First, if you'll forgive my intrusion - may I suggest food?"

She frowned and glanced back at him as though he had grown two heads.

"I've discovered that eating is the best way to ground one's self after an energy overload."

She stared at him, mouth agape. She was shocked that he sensed anything was wrong with her. She was even more shocked that he dared to give her advice about it. She said sharply, "There's no overload. You misunderstand."

Sensing her annoyance, he said quickly, "I have been watching the ripples of the magic flowing off of you all night. That is why I couldn't help but stare when you were at the balcony of the club. I was amazed that you were able to stand and function with that much residual energy still circulating in you. Whatever you did tonight must have been spectacular."

"You have no idea how spectacular," she mused. They stared at one another for a long moment. Then she asked, "What is the information you have to trade?"

"Dine with me, and we can discuss it," he said hopefully, his smile reemerging.

She gazed at him thoughtfully. He was not what she had expected.