Page 39 (1/2)

The kitchen door burst open and Astrid Page ran in His tousled black hair settled as he came in breathlessly He went to Pasqua "The Alderhtaway"

Pasqua scowled at the boy "What is this nonsense? We have much work to do There are other helpers he can call on"

"No, Pasqua, he requested her She ht now"

Lia’s heart shuddered in her chest and she clenched the broo about, she noticed that Sowe had not returned yet fro the Alder, she understood the cos of betrayal As clear as the noonday sun, she knee had told all Gripping the broorily, she nearly snapped it over her knee

Everything in her life was unraveling around her, but she was determined to stop it and mend it There was little time to think – she needed to act rather than be acted upon

"Letto the pegs, drying her eyes

"You hardly need a cloak," Pasqua scolded "If the Alder here You obey That is alhat is best where he is concerned Did Sowe spill so? What is this about?"

"I do not know,There were no spills that I could tell"

Lia fastened the cloak and walked to the loft ladder, ducking quickly behind a barrel and grasped the Cruciger orb She licked her lips, giving less than a second thought to what she was about to do If she thought about itlike water through her fingers

"What are you fiddling with, child?" Pasqua demanded, hand on her hip, bowl in the other "What have you there? In your hand?"

"I knohat the Alder Go on, Astrid I will be right there," she lied