“Mother, wait. We were…” Thailyn started. She cut him off with a growl. “Mother, stop it!” Jaidu commanded. “They aren’t hurting me.” Shay jerked in surprise at the tone in Jade his voice. Slowly, she calmed as she assessed the situation. Then, she changed to human form. The shields were released. “I’m sorry. I’ve had to be so protective of her.” “They were just trying to find my magic,” Jaidu explained. “Andy says I don’t have any, but Thailyn says I have to.” Shay nodded. “Kamlia made his advisor hide it when you were born. He didn’t want anyone else to discover she wasn’t fully human. It was buried under a shield so it couldn’t be sensed or touched. The other day when Andy removed the spell, I thought he was looking for her magic. I do thank you for removing that. I know what spell was used. I can remove the shield if you want.” Jaidu nodded. “It might be a good idea.” Thailyn agreed. “I can’t imagine it’s any good for her.” “Can someone cast a spell shield around her?” Shay requested. “I don’t know how her magic it will react to being released. This spell wasn’t meant for long-term, but I didn’t want her collared.” “I can cast the spell,” Mishtali offered. “Put me inside it. If need be, I can drain her,” Andy suggested. “You?” Shay looked skeptical. “You’re an…?” “Yes.” Andy cut her off. “You think you can handle a dragon’s magic?” “I can handle Ann’s.” “What if Jaidu stronger?” Andy shook his head. “Stronger than Ann? That’s unlikely.” Shay didn’t look convinced. “She’s stronger than I am,” Mishtali said. “That’s not possible. She’s half human,” she argued. “Grandmother,” Ann said. Shay turned and looked at her, and stepped back. Ann had taken on dragon form. “That’s not possible,” Shay said. She took another step back. “Do you want to check my magic?” Ann offered. She reverted to human form. “That’s okay.” Shay shook her head. She almost looked afraid. “What’s the problem?” Jaidu asked. “The stronger the magic, the darker the color. So, a white dragon should mean no magic,” Thailyn said. “But not for Ann?” “Right. Have you ever heard of the White Wyrm?” He asked, indicating Ann. Jaidu nodded. “My father…” “Jaidu!” Shay cut her off sharply. “Not now.” Jaidu nodded, looking hurt. Shay knelt before where the girl sat. “I’m sorry, but we need to be careful what we say.” “That palace walls have ears?” Jaidu guessed. Shay nodded. “We’ll tell them later, okay? Right now, let’s free your magic. See how strong you’ve become.” Andy took hold of her hand and Mishtali readied the spell. Andy saw her magic a moment before Mishtali cast the spell. He waited as her magic grew, he squinted at the brightness and pulled out his sunglasses. “What happened to the heat vision?” Thailyn asked. “That’s what Nim canceled on me today. I’m having problems holding it. Besides, I can’t keep an eye on her magic that way.” “How strong is she?” “You can’t see?” Ann shook her head. “It’s just potential.” “She’s stronger than Nim normally is and growing. She’s approaching Pt’this and slowing down. She stopped. I’d have to do a side-by-side to say who was stronger, her or Pt’this.” He started to release her. Then, she screamed clutching her head. “Andy, drain her!” Ann shouted. “She’s starting to rip.” Andy complied immediately. “Are you sure?” Thailyn asked. “I’ve been ripped enough times to recognize it,” Ann said. “How long do I drain her?” Andy asked. Jaidu had stopped screaming but was now crying. “Don’t let her go into a trance, but keep her low until she stops drawing,” Mishtali said. “She’s really fighting me,” Andy reported. “Jaidu, sweetie, I need you to relax,” Shay encouraged. The girl was crying hysterically. “She’s not slowing down. I’m going to burn her,” Andy warned. With that, Jaidu started trying to pull away. “It’s easier to heal burns than patch a rip,” Thailyn said. “Jaidu, calm down. Andy’s only trying to help,” Shay said. “It hurts,” Jaidu said. “I know, sweetie. But, you need to stop fighting him.” “I can’t.” “I’m contacting Nim, see if he knows anything,” Ann said. “What was the spell called?” “Magic hole,” Shay said. Nim? What? He didn’t sound well. Sorry to bother you. To you know anything about a spell called magic hole? Do you mean besides that it’s dangerous and forbidden? Yes. You can’t cast it. It’s too dangerous. I’m not going to cast it. The Yarbs used it to hide Jaidu’s magic. Now, Shay removed it and Jaidu is drawing in magic so fast she’s going to rip. Andy’s draining her to prevent that but she’s fighting and he’s going to burn her. Nim sighed. I’ll be down as soon as I’m dressed. Nim, just tell me what to do. For now, release the spell shield and cast that fire shield as strong as you can. And then? And then, I’ll be there to help, like I said. But… But nothing. I’m a little nauseous not dying. And you’re not an Augmenter so you can’t do more. Andy can’t do this alone. What about Dae? Dae can’t do this. We’re in the garden. I heard the screams. When Ann refocused on the garden, everyone was looking at her in concern. The pain from the conversation must’ve showed. “Are you okay?” Mishtali asked. Ann nodded. “Nim’s coming down to help. He was not happy that I suggested someone else might do it. If he calls me Narticani, I’ll roast him.” “He calls you that? How cruel,” Shay said. “It fits her,” Mishtali said. “What do we do until he gets here?” “He said to switch from a spell shield to the fire shield.” “What fire shield?” Mishtali asked. Ann shrugged. “I don’t know its name. Kith taught it to me.” “The one Tor would use?” He asked. Ann nodded. “Thailyn, I need to do this as strong as I can. Is that okay?” Thailyn nodded. “Just don’t hold in the extra magic.” Ann cast the fire shield with all the magic she could and Mishtali released his spell shield. Andy had his head down, trying to shield his eyes while watching Jaidu. The three dragons looked at the shield in awe. Thailyn let out a low whistle. “She really is the White Wyrm,” Shay breathed. “Do not call me that!” Ann insisted. “Ann, it’s okay. Relax,” Andy said. Nim arrived with Joanne on his heels. “This is got to be the stupidest thing you could’ve done,” he told Shay. “This was never meant to be used on a person. Plus, with the condition of your magic, you’re lucky you didn’t kill her.” “I didn’t cast it. He was going to collar her,” Shay said. “A baby would have never survived that.” “Well, she may not survive this.” He turned to Ann. “Let me in.” Ann expanded the shield to include him. He rolled up the sleeve on his left arm and held it against the shield. He started draining all the free magic from inside the shielded put it into the shield itself. He then took Andy’s free hand. “Feed me what you can of your energy and then what you can draw from her. Once there’s nothing left, she’ll stop,” Nim said. “Nim, your arm,” Joanne said. His arm was started to burn from being in contact with the shield. He didn’t feel it though. “That’s why Dae can’t do this,” he told Ann. Soon, the shield was opaque with energy. The only sound was a whimpering from Jaidu. “How’s Nim doing?” Ann asked Joanne. “I’m fine,” Nim called out. Ann looked to Joanne for confirmation. She nodded. “He can’t feel his arm; otherwise, he feels the same as he did before.” She raised her voice some. “Which is not fine.” Nim growled. “Cut it out. You’re upsetting Jaidu,” Andy warned. “Ignore them. They aren’t really fighting,” he assured Jaidu. “She’s not pulling anymore,” Andy finally said. “Let go and see what happens,” Nim instructed. “Nothing,” Andy said after a moment. “Ann, release the shield.” She did, but stayed ready to cast it again. “Still nothing,” Andy reported. “Ann, release the magic. Andy, make sure she’s drained to where she needs to be. Nim, let me see your arm,” Thailyn said. Nim complied. Thailyn healed the burn, but the scar remained. “Now, back in bed,” Thailyn insisted. Nim nodded. “And get some rest,” Thailyn added. Nim grinned. “He’ll rest,” Joanne assured him. She dragged him off. Thailyn turned to Jaidu. “Let’s see what we have here.” Jaidu was in Shay’s arms. “Mother?” He waited for her to move but Jaidu clung to her. “Jaidu, I have to let go so he can check you properly. I promise, I won’t leave you,” Shay said softly. Finally, Jaidu nodded at and stepped away from Shay. “Have you ever had anyone heal you before?” Thailyn asked her. She shook her head. “Normally, it doesn’t hurt. The only thing you’ll feel is any pain going away. If you’re ripped, that will get uncomfortable, but we won’t heal that yet okay?” Jaidu nodded. Thailyn laid a hand on hers. There was no burn where Andy had drained her. He had been careful. He checked her magic. Fortunately, she wasn’t ripped. A little stretched maybe but nothing serious. She wouldn’t even need to be patched and would have no discomfort casting. She might even heal if she avoided magic for a few days. He smiled. “No serious damage. Does it still hurt?” “Just a little,” Jaidu said. He gave her a bottle of green bough root. “This will help with the pain.” She took it cautiously, looking to Shay for guidance. Shay nodded. She drank the potion. “Better?” He asked after a moment. She nodded. He turned to Andy. “Let me check you now,” Andy held out his hands. There was minor redness, but no serious damage. He healed him. Then, he turned to Ann. “I’m fine,” she insisted. “Not just you, but the baby,” he said. “What baby?” Mishtali asked. “Are you pregnant?” “You haven’t told them yet?” Thailyn asked. “We were waiting to see if I could stay pregnant.” Ann frowned. “Sorry,” Thailyn said. “We won’t tell anyone,” Mishtali said. Ann scoffed. “Are you kidding? We’re in the garden. This the most public place in the palace. Everybody will know by morning.” “I’m sorry,” Thailyn said again. “It’s okay. You didn’t know,” Ann said. “You did tell your parents at least didn’t you?” Shay asked. Ann nodded. “We did, and Pt’this was there so he knows too and he’ll probably have told Sapphire.” “Let me check the two of you,” Thailyn said. Ann nodded. Thailyn first checked the baby. The child was fine. Ann was another story. “You’re about as close to being ripped as you can. Don’t you know how to draw in properly?” Ann looked away. “I’m sorry, but you’ve been ripped dozens of times. It’s not good for you.” “I only did it once,” Ann said. “And now this.” “You’ve been ripped more than that,” Thailyn insisted. “I know, but I didn’t do it,” Ann said. “Who would do something like that?” “Who do you think?” That hit Thailyn like a slap in the face. Of course Lyra would do something like that. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.” The thing was, he should have. He should’ve seen the difference. “Besides, this time it wasn’t my fault either. Nim overcharged the shield. I got feedback.” “Thailyn, can I talk with you?” Mishtali asked. Thailyn followed his father to another part of the garden where Mishtali cast a silence spell. “Are you all right?” Mishtali asked. “I’m fine.” “You’ve been doing a lot of intense healing these last few days.” “Dad, I want to do this.” “But what about the cost?” Thailyn sighed. It was the same argument they’d had over and over. “I’ve told you before, the cost is the same to heal or not. Healing is my addiction. If I don’t heal, the stress from the magic builds up and I end up with the same results.” Mishtali nodded. “Are you going to tell her?” “Eventually,” Thailyn said, surprised he didn’t get more argument. “It’s not like I’m going to suddenly die from it.” “I hope not. I just got you back. I don’t want to lose you for good. And Ann would be devastated.” “I know. My heart is fine. I haven’t had any problems recently. I’ve learned my limits. I will tell her when things settle down. I wasn’t expecting Mom and Jaidu, otherwise I would’ve told her. I’d like to be the one to tell Mom if you haven’t already.” He was lying. He hadn’t wanted to tell anyone. He didn’t want them worrying. But now, he had no choice. Mishtali nodded. “That’s fine. I haven’t said anything.” “Are you okay, Dad?” “Yeah, why?” “Why did you cast a silence spell rather than use telepathy?” Mishtali smiled. “So they know something is going on. Plus, Andy reads lips. He might already know.” Thailyn growled. “Don’t you growl at me. I’m still your father.” Thailyn nodded. “Yes, Sir.” “And that girl is your daughter. She deserves know.” “I said I’d tell her.” “Before you have a problem.” “I said once things settle down.” Mishtali nodded.