Ann wandered outside, trying to sort her emotions. She was angry with her father for being so callous. She was angry with herself for having ended up with Lyra. She was ashamed of it too. She didn’t want to remember that time. She couldn’t change it, but did they have to keep bringing it up? Now, she’d have to tell Joanne, or Nim would. It was still another person that was going to know. It would never end. Some days, she thought it would be easier if she let Drepal take over completely. Drepal didn’t care what people thought or said. But, Drepal wouldn’t cooperate. And it was dangerous letting her have that much freedom. She lay in the hammock. She’d bought it last summer. She’d wanted one when she was little but couldn’t get one. Rumor had it that Shunati had tried to put one up in the garden when he first arrived as Mila’s apprentice and the gardeners had had a fit. This one rocked gently. It was comforting, soothing. She could feel Drepal liked it too. It relaxed them both. She could hear footsteps and opened her eyes, wondering what they wanted now and was surprised to see Mishtali standing there. “Are you okay child?” He asked. His face filled with concern. “I’ll be fine. It just takes time.” He nodded. “Did you bring who I asked?” Ann nodded. “Where are you? We’ve been looking for you.” “I know. I’ve heard Tomin. Tell him not to contact me. I’ll contact him when I can. Who was it that tried to contact me a few weeks ago? Was that you? I’m sorry I had to block you. It’s not always safe for me.” “What do you mean ‘not safe’? Is Nor’than here?” “How would Nor’than get here?” He asked. The tone used was the same one Nim would use when she asked a question she should be able to figure out the answer to. “Are you the one who’s been phoning my friend?” “No. I’m not.” “Do you know who has?” “He already told her that he’s been called Drepal and Carishu.” Ann felt her own Drepal stir at her name. Mishtali looked at her in a strange way. She wondered if he could see Drepal too. He leaned close and whispered, “Go home, child. Take your friend too. This place is no longer safe for her.” Ann wanted to ask for an explanation, but he continued. “If you stay, there is another dragon here who might help. He stays hidden, but if you find him, you can trust him.” He smiled wryly. “Trust. The evil one was right. It’s me you shouldn’t trust.” He put something in her hand. Then, he looked up as if he heard something. She looked and saw Andy coming. When she turned back, Mishtali was gone. She tried to sit up, but the hammock started swinging like she might tip. Andy steadied her. “What is it?” He asked. “I just saw Mishtali,” she said. “Where did he go?” “Ann, you were dreaming. You’ve been asleep.” She looked at what Mishtali had put in her hand. It was another diamond vial. The design on this one was far different from the ones she’d seen in Baj-tisk, more like her own, the one she bought from Mirimar. “Where did you get that?” Andy asked. “Mishtali gave it to me. He was just here,” Ann said. She told him all that her grandfather had said.