"Where do we go from here, Drex?” he whispered. “Just point us in the right direction, and we'll take it from there."

"You don't get away from me that easily, Grimm Afelnor,” she muttered. “There's a reckoning due, and I wouldn't miss it for the world.” There was no mistaking the fervour in her lowered voice.

Speaking a little louder, she said, “Follow me."

"Do you really think this is a good idea, Drex?” Grimm laid a hand on his lover's shoulder.

Drexelica stiffened at his touch, but her voice was soft. “Don't worry about me, Grimm."

With a determined air, she strode to the inner door and opened it just a crack, allowing yellow light to spill into the dark chamber. Putting her face to the narrow opening, she nodded.

"It's all right. Nobody's there. Let's go."

"You're in charge,” Grimm said, and then he frowned.

Drex is no shrinking violet, he thought. I guess that's one of the reasons I fell so in love with her; but she seems so different now, as if she's angry with me.

Oh, well; she has been through a lot…

"Come on, Grimm! Devotions can't be more than ten minutes away now. We've got to move, now!"

Grimm stepped through the narrow opening into a small, well-lit vestibule with stairs at either side. Squinting in the bright illumination, he saw Drexelica standing with her arms crossed over her chest, her lips compressed into a tight line.

Why's Drex so uneasy with me? Does she blame me for taking so long to get here?

"We don't have all day, you know, Grimm! Up here."

She started up the left-hand flight of stairs, and the two mages followed her into one narrow corridor after another. Her movements were confident and decisive; Grimm felt glad she was there to lead them through the confusing labyrinth of passageways.

At last, the small party reached a doorway, and Drex stopped. She turned to Grimm, her whole body trembling, and the mage knew she must be fighting powerful, conflicting emotions. His heart went out to her.