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“These people that were captured in the wall… they appear to have been sucked inside.I wonder why,” Marban murmured and stroked his chin. “Were their souls separated from their bodies and bound to the Behemoth?”

Valerius had not considered that and he was glad that Caden was not here to hear that suggestion.

Marban continued, “I wonder if the Behemoth needs a human form or if it simply uses energy from people to sustain itself.”

“It could not have fit through the wall into the cavern,” Valerius said.“Not unless it destroyed the mountain.So maybe that does indicate a human form.”

“What sort of human would be able to bond with such a Spirit, one wonders.”Another chin stroke. “I will immediately have my people on the lookout for these walls.We must find and monitor every one of them.”

“I agree.”There was a knock on the door and Valerius called, “Come!”

He expected Chione or one of the Dragon Shifters, but it was Tilly who burst inside.He quickly shut off the casting again.Her cheeks were flushed.Her eyes were filled with tears.When she saw him reaching for a bottle of wine, she skidded to a halt and her mouth opened in an “O” of surprise and a little fear.

For his part, he was also frozen and also felt a little frightened.This was Caden’s beloved little sister.She was also a thirteen-year-old girl.A modern tween or teen, he wasn’t sure.He knew absolutely nothing about such creatures and she lookedupset.Not at him, but in general.Marban lifted an eyebrow at him.

“King Valerius!Mr.Marban!”she got out.“I--I was looking for Caden.”

“He’s meeting with Wally and Rose right now,” Valerius explained just as haltingly to her.

He didn’t mentionwhy.It was about Landry, of course.Maybe Tilly had heard about her--he wouldn’t put it past Illarion to blast it far and wide--and was upset.But he couldn’t risk saying anything in case she didn’t know and then he would be the one guilty of blurting it out.

“Oh,” she said softly.“Well, I can see you’re busy.I’ll come back later.”

It would have been easy to let her go.Maybe it would have been wise.But she was Caden’s sister.She was family to him.And Marban wasn’t making a face at him that indicated heshouldtalk to the girl.Ironically, Marban probably had more experience dealing with tweens or teens.

“You don’t have to leave.Stay.Eat something.Maybe I can help you?”Valerius made that into a question.

Tilly blinked large, teary eyes and gave a jerky nod.She sat down on the couch and Marban prepared a plate for her.

“Thank you,” she said softly and picked at the food.

“What’s wrong, Tilly?”Marban asked in that grandfatherly way of his.

She sat there very stiff and formal, but her lower lip began to tremble and Valerius had the sense that something was about to explode.Raziel even cracked an eyelid in slight alarm, even though this little human couldn’t harm them.

“Alice is being mean to me!And so are Rachel and Sam!”she erupted.

“Ah,” Marban said knowingly as if he had any idea what she was talking about.

“Who are--”

Marban held a hand up to silence Valerius.“These are good friends that you expected to be able to trust?”

She nodded vigorously.“So I saw that they were all chatting online and making plans.We have a private group thing and when I asked if we could do ithere, they were likeyou’re trying to show off, Tilly!I wasn’t! I mean Mom and Dad won’t let me leave High Reach right now!And then like Alice said that her mom didn’t agree with King Valerius’ politics--”

“I do not have any politics,” Valerius growled softly.“I stay out of that.”

“I know, right?It’s such garbage!But Alice said that to come to High Reach was to support things that weren’t cool and then Sam was likewe think it’s best if we’re not like friends anymore! And I’m like why?I haven’t changed?And then I find out that he thinks Humans First is right!”Tilly drew breath finally.

“Have you been contacted by higher social status members of your school?”Marban asked with as much seriousness as he would have given to politics among territories.

Tilly nodded.“Totally.I couldseeandheartheir parents urging them on.”She rolled her eyes.“But, at least, theywantto be near me! Those other guys were my friends, but not anymore!”

“You now represent something to them more than just yourself,” Marban advised her as he cut up the steak, which had Valerius’ stomach rumbling, and gave her the first serving.

Steak,Raziel murmured.

She is a guest.She gets first serving,Valerius said to his Spirit as much as he was telling himself.