With some energy from Andy, Pt’this transported them straight to the third-floor balcony. He had a feeling his brother wouldn’t be far behind. He sent a page for Mila and Shunati both. He sent another to make sure the floor stayed otherwise clear and to ask Nimitinas to stay in his room. It was possible this might get ugly. ‘Kartonesh,’ he sent. There was no response. ‘Don’t block me.’ ‘What do you want, Green Bean?’ He finally received. ‘So it was you.’ Pt’this ignored the hated nickname. ‘Come to the southeast corner of the Summer Palace. There’s a balcony on the third floor with room for you to land.’ ‘Is that whiny brat there?’ ‘That whiny brat is my niece,’ Pt’this growled. ‘Your niece needs to learn some manners. She’s been blocking me.’ ‘Leave her alone! Stop sending to her! She can’t take it.’ “Still playing at being human?” Kartonesh sneered as he landed moments later. He took human form as he was followed by Areantor and there wasn’t room for two dragons on the balcony. “At least I’m not bullying defenseless young ones,” Pt’this growled. “Bullying? That brat answered my call but refused to speak with me.” “She had no choice but to answer. She can’t block. Look at what you did to her.” Pt’this pointed to where Ann lay near the wall. Areantor saw her for the first time and gasped. Taking elf form, she knelt beside her. Kartonesh laughed. “If she’s so poorly trained she deserves it.” Andy lost his temper. “That’s my mate you’re talking about. Watch it.” He stood ready to attack. “Careful, human. Mind yourself.” He wagged a finger at Andy. “Or you’ll do what?” Andy grasped his wrist. Switching to mage sight, Pt’this could see Andy draining the magic Kartonesh had gathered for a spell. His brother’s eyes widened with surprise and then turned to fear as Andy drained him even further down to dangerous levels. “Andy,” Pt’this cautioned. “Maybe I should leave you as defenseless as you left her,” Andy spat. “Enough,” Areantor said. Andy stopped draining him but continued to hold his wrist. “Kar, she’s half human and just a baby.” “She’s what?” Kartonesh paled. “She’s maybe twenty, twenty-five years old. The only reason she could hear you is she’s half human. There’s no way she could block you. You did this to her.” Kartonesh started toward them, but Andy held him fast. “Stay away from my mate.” “She’s weak too. And she’s been patched recently,” Areantor continued. “You’re lucky you didn’t kill her.” “Can you help her?” Kartonesh asked. Areantor nodded. “I think so. She put herself deep into a protection trance.” Pt’this could see Andy was about to protest. “Let her. She has experience with half dragons,” he said. “You’re her mate?” She asked Andy. He nodded. “Good, you can help. We should take her to her room. Is it near?” Andy nodded again. He picked up Ann. Pt’this noticed he still carried the travel bag over his shoulder. Areantor offered to carry it, but he refused.