Page 78 of Cast in Atonement

Only when they were in Mrs. Erickson’s home did they stop, crowded in her narrow hallway.

“I don’t think we should close the door,” Bellusdeo glanced back. “The Keeper is on the other side.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Mandoran said. “Terrano’s there. He didn’t see the light that we saw. He did see something wrap itself around Evanton, but it didn’t seem to be causing damage.”

“What do you mean?” Kaylin was looking at the open door, eyes narrowed.

“I think something reached out from the other side of the painting—something in the outlands. It drew Evanton in.”

“Did Terrano follow?”

“He tried. He’s still working on it, for what it’s worth—but if the light was an invitation, it was meant for the Keeper, not the chaos Barrani.” Mandoran grinned. “He’ll get in. Sedarias isn’t even arguing—we all know we can’t afford to lose the Keeper.”

“How human is Evanton?” It was Bellusdeo who asked.

“If it weren’t for the fact that he’s looked the same way since Teela first joined the Hawks, I’d say completely. But he’s the Keeper, so there are bound to be some differences. I mean—I look normal, but I have the marks of the Chosen. They don’t make me less than human. Or more than human.”

“So you think he’s like you, but less reckless.”

“Not much less reckless, given the events of tonight.”

Bellusdeo shrugged. “Fair point. I think we should get Imelda home. She’s had a bit of a shock.”

“We’ve all had a bit of a shock,” Mrs. Erickson said, somewhat primly. “Do you get into trouble like this all of the time?” The question was asked of the group in general.

“Kaylin does,” was Mandoran’s cheerful reply. “We just happen to be caught up in things because we live with her.”

“I don’t,” Bellusdeo said. “And I’m still here.”

“I really appreciate the support, guys. What do we do about the door? I don’t think it’s safe to leave it open—there’s a real possibility that whatever transformed Azoria’s mansion will escape to transform Mrs. Erickson’s house.”

“Or further?”

Kaylin nodded. “I’m not a mage. I can barely keep a light active. But this was definitely transformational, and things have a way of spreading.”

“Do you think the Keeper can find his way out?”

“I don’t know—but I’m certain Terrano can, and he can try to open the door.”

Closing the door was simple.

Opening the door onto the normal porch was not.

If Mrs. Erickson hadn’t been present, Kaylin would have gone upstairs and destroyed the family painting. Evanton said that the door and the painting were linked, so it stood to reason destroying one would cut that connection.

Hope snorted; it was the sound of weary disgust. He pushed himself off Kaylin’s shoulders—digging claws around her collarbone to make certain she knew he was annoyed first—and hovered in front of the door. He then exhaled.

Mandoran yelped and jumped out of the way, bounced into Bellusdeo and Severn, and found wall space against which he could regain his balance.

Silver mist came out of Hope’s open mouth, the crimson interior the only part of his body, except for his eyes, that wasn’t translucent. Where it touched the door, it seemed to be absorbed by the wood, although the door itself wasn’t transformed. Hope’s breath could transform or melt things, but without the intense heat of the larger Dragons.

When he finished, he returned to Kaylin’s shoulder, but this time, he slumped across them both, snorted, and closed his eyes.

Bellusdeo opened the door. The door opened onto the porch. She turned to Mrs. Erickson and said, in a much more gentle voice, “Let’s get you home.”

“I’d like to walk,” Mrs. Erickson said. Mrs. Erickson respected the law, and she knew Dragons weren’t legally allowed to transform—and fly—in the city skies without direct Imperial permission.

“We can walk,” Bellusdeo said. “I didn’t expect the visit to be so difficult.”

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