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women down the hill. Shayla didn’t want to leave; this place was her only contact with Arroway, but neither could she let Tallon be taken away without her. She had no choice but to follow.
    Cassandra turned to her and smiled. “By the way, welcome to Earth.”
     
     
    Chapter Three
     

     
    Where was Tallon?
    Shayla hadn’t seen him since they were separated at the foot of the hill over twenty-four hours ago. Tallon had been driven away in a metal vehicle—she’d ridden in the huge flying bubble that had nearly attacked them. It had not been an enjoyable experience.
    But she’d learned a lot from Cassandra during the journey. This world was so different—no magic here, only technology, which seemed like magic to Shayla—vehicles that flew in the air, computers, televisions, and more people than she had ever realized could exist. All piled on top of each other in buildings that reached up to the sky.
    They had treated her well, given her food and a room with the most comfortable bed Shayla had ever come across. She’d lain awake for a long while, wondering where Tallon was, how he was. But she could sense he was close and had finally managed to fall into an exhausted sleep. When she woke, it was to find her door locked, and as the day wore on, she’d grown increasingly impatient. Now, her brain was going to explode with frustration if someone didn’t come soon.
    She wanted to see Tallon. No, it was more than that. The need to find him gnawed relentlessly at her insides. She didn’t understand why, but she couldn’t deny it.
    Finally, Cassandra came to her. Shayla studied her warily. Cassandra had assured her that they meant her no harm—she was one of them—but still, she didn’t entirely trust the other woman.
    Cassandra threw a bundle of clothes towards her. “Get dressed.”
    Shayla slipped out of her shift and struggled into the strange clothes.
    “Where’s Tallon?” she asked.
    Cassandra studied her, head tilted to one side, brows drawing together. “What is it with you and the Warlock? You say he was sent to kill you, but you seem concerned about him.”
    Shayla lifted one shoulder and tried to appear nonchalant. She didn’t want to go into her feelings for Tallon. She knew it would sound pathetic put into words. I’ve had a crush on him since I was twelve, and he rescued my best friend. It sounded feeble, even to her.
    “Mind you,” Cassandra said, “he is gorgeous. I’ve one or two ideas about what to do with him myself.” She slanted a smile at Shayla. “Let’s wait and see if we can get him to cooperate. Maybe we’ll get our own pleasure slave.”
    Shayla bit back the urge to shout, “Hands off, he’s mine!” but Cassandra had already turned away. Besides, Tallon was no more hers than he was Cassandra’s.
    She led Shayla to a small box that carried them swiftly downwards until they were deep underground. The light was bright even here, strips illuminating gray walls. A ripple of unease ran through her as she followed Cassandra down the long, bare corridor. The weight of the building above pressed down on her. Shayla wanted to be up in the clear air again, but the need to see Tallon drove her on.
    “Is he okay?” she asked.
    “I’m not sure about ‘okay’. Rachel has been questioning him, and she doesn’t like Warlocks. None of us do, for that matter. But he is conscious, and he’s refusing to speak until he’s seen that we haven’t done something unpleasant to you.”
    At the words, a warmth uncoiled deep inside Shayla. She wanted to analyze the feeling, but Cassandra had come to a halt in front of a metal door. Opening it, she gestured to Shayla to enter. The small, bare room was empty except for Tallon. Shayla gasped. He was kneeling naked against the far wall, his wrists shackled to a chain that stretched them high above him. His head fell forward, his long black hair curtained his face.
    “Well,” Cassandra purred, “isn’t that pretty and waiting on his knees to