The blood drained from my face as I stumbled back, staring at Jessia. The back of my knees struck the bed, and I collapsed, sitting hard. My mouth gaped open and closed, but I couldn't find my voice.
"Nice place you have here. Is this real gold?" she asked, stooping over the gold-leaf ornamentation on the table. As if nothing was wrong.
Luke slipped through the balcony doorway with a sigh, closing it behind him. "Good morning, Xiviyah."
My eyes flitted to him, my heart racing, before I suddenly clasped my necklace, gripping the Soul Binder ring tightly. I couldn't feel him. Even though he was standing right in front of me, our bond was empty. Even his aura was restrained, wreathed by a strange, unfamiliar magic.
"What's wrong with you?" Jessia asked, finally looking at me. A slow smile tugged at her lips. "Don't tell me I finally caught you by surprise? You really didn't see me coming? This just might be my greatest accomplishment yet! Sneaking up on the Oracle, herself."
