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much as a drink, which Sura s dry tongue and throat resented.
Beyond the door was total blackness. Sura strained to adjust her eyes to the windowless room. Goose
bumps rose on her arms at the rush of cool, clammy air.
Hurry. Vara bustled past them, disappearing. She patted a wooden surface, which Sura assumed was
a table.
After banging her knee on the chair, Sura sat next to Dravek. In the dark, she felt acutely aware of his
presence.
How do you see in here? he asked Vara.
It s my home, she said in a low voice. I know every inch. And I see better without light since I entered
the third phase. She sank into a chair across the table. Sura, I ve been expecting you. The Kalindon
message about your mother mentioned you were a Snake. And, Dravek, what s taken you so long to
come to me? Have you been training on your own?
With Snake s guidance, yes.
Look where it s gotten you. She sighed. Touch each other again.
Sura put her hands in her lap. Why?
Take his hand. Now, please.
Sura heard his skin slide across the surface of the table. Dreading the result, she moved her palm over
his. Their fingers intertwined.
Vara let out a heavy breath. As I feared. There is tremendous heat between you.
They yanked their hands apart.
So? Dravek s voice shook. It s warm out, and we ve been walking all day.
Your bodies generate more heat than others, so I guessed you were Snakes even outside. In here I see
more clearly, because my home is dark and cold.
See what? Dravek asked her.
Heat, as shades of gray light. The closer to white, the hotter. It s a Snake s third-phase power. You two
didn t know that? When they didn t reply, she gave a harsh snort. This Descendant occupation keeps
our young so ignorant. When I was your age, we worked with our mentors from the day after our
Bestowing, no matter how far we had to travel.
What did you mean about what was between us? Sura asked.
I see emotional heat, as well as physical. It s how I wipe memories without destroying the personality of
their carrier. My mind makes an emotional map of sorts. I try to maintain the integrity of that map. Her
voice angled toward Dravek. I ll teach you how to do this before you hurt someone.
Sura squirmed in her seat. Too late.
As I was about to say. The Snake woman s voice softened and sobered. The heat dances between
you, flaring white when you touch.
Is that not normal for Snakes? Sura asked her.
With Snakes, there s no such thing as normal. A smile seemed to curve her words. However her
voice came stern again the pattern I see between you is that of new lovers.
No! they said simultaneously.
Unrequited lovers, then.
Shame flooded Sura, and she couldn t speak.
Hmm. Vara rapped her fingernails on the table. I see from your blushes that I m correct. I m relieved
you haven t given into this temptation.
I m married, Dravek said.
And I have a mate, of sorts, Sura added. Besides, it s forbidden for Spirit-siblings to be together that
way. It s taboo to even think about it.
Why? Vara asked calmly.
Sura recited the rationale. So we can work together without distraction. So our desire doesn t twist the
wisdom of our Aspect and pervert our magic.
Dravek, what happens when you and Sura work together?
He shifted in his seat. We start fires.
You mean, you reignite fires.
He cleared his throat. We start them. There was a cold torch
You re sure it was cold? Vara s voice shot from across the table.
I m sure, he said in a hard voice. It just happened.
Sura, do you know why it happened?
Dravek spoke up again. It wasn t her fault
I. Asked. Her.
Sura rubbed her hands together in her lap. If they wanted help, they had to tell the truth.
We were She drew in a deep breath, then let it out. We were discussing our feelings. No, that
wasn t the entire truth. Another deep breath. We described what it would be like to make love.
To each other.
Yes. Sura averted her gaze from Vara, though she couldn t see her.
Don t be embarrassed. A Snake should always speak frankly in matters of sex. Our Spirit s power
resides in it. Her voice flattened. Though usually we stoke our desire without fantasizing about our
Spirit-siblings.
Should we be separated? Sura asked.
Vara spoke urgently. It s too late. Your longing would only increase. You d be more dangerous than
ever.
Have we done something wrong? Dravek asked her.
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