“Cole,” Wynne said, scowling.The young man seemed relieved. “You remember me.”Remember the dream. It all came back to Evangeline in a rush.She sheathed her sword and walked toward Cole, who stared ather in confusion. When she got near, she hugged him close. “I’mglad you’re safe,” she breathed. Initially he squirmed in her embrace,clearly unaccustomed to it, but then he relaxed and huggedher back. For a moment they were two lost souls, embracing in the
darkness.“Step away from him,” Wynne warned. The menacing glow ofher staff deepened, casting the old woman in sinister shadow.Evangeline let Cole go and turned to face her, but instead of leaving his side she placed herself protectively in front of him.“Why? What do you think he’s done?”“Isn’t it obvious? Pharamond was murdered in his chambers. I can believe Lord Seeker Lambert capable of many things, but not this.”Evangeline hesitated. The knife the Lord Seeker threw down
hadn’t been Cole’s . . . but could he have been mistaken? didn’t want to believe the young man had killed someone yet
again, but what if he had? How big a fool would she be, sympathizing with someone who endangered his friends? Rhys mightbe dead because of him.She looked at Cole questioningly, her suspicions slowly giving way to dread at his guilty expression. “I didn’t kill him,” he said . . .but the way his eyes stared at the floor said otherwise.Wynne’s gaze intensified. “Stand aside, Evangeline.” “Wynne, I . . .” “I said stand aside!” The old woman stamped the staff on the ground, and suddenly black flame leapt from it. It twisted and curled around her, ribbons of some dark power that fed on her rage and drew strength from it. She was a force of vengeance now, eyes red as blood, and Evangeline was terrified.