Their one hope lay with the innkeepers. The couple had been born and raised in the area and had lived their entire lives there. Lara couldn't imagine that they wouldn't have some knowledge of the danger lying beneath the mountain. Over time, it became difficult to tamper with the same memories. And there had been something about the inn-something that had drawn Lara to it. A suggestion of power, as if perhaps there was subtle influence at work, encouraging tourists and visitors to stay at the homey, friendly inn.

Lara had allowed herself to be susceptible to the flow of power because it was the first time since the dragon had shoved her onto the upper cavern ledge that she had encountered the light, delicate touch of flowing energy. She had forgotten what it was like to bathe herself in the crackle of electric power, to feel it surrounding her, flowing through every cell until her body hummed with it. The inn and entire village gave off the amazing feeling, although it was so subtle she had nearly missed it.

«Lara,» Gerald called from the backseat. «My skin is starting to burn.»

«We're almost there. Go in and take a shower first thing.» She didn't want to think what Terry was suffering. He was very quiet, other than making a soft moaning sound. «Gerald, when we get to the inn, we'll need to talk to the owners and ask who the village healer is.»

«The owner's name was Slavica and she seemed very nice.»

«Hopefully she's very discreet as well. She certainly seems to know everyone.»

«Wouldn't it be better to ask for the nearest doctor?» Gerald asked.

Lara tried to sound casual. «Sometimes the local healers know so much more about plants and animals in the area. Although we've never encountered this particular species before, it's a good bet the villagers have and the local healer probably knows exactly what to do to extract the poi-« She broke off and hastily changed her description. «Venom.»