AT THE USUAL, UNGODLY, HOUR that we got up to run, Audi leaped on the bed and ambushed Alek. For some reason she did it just to him. I woke to his cursing as he swatted the dog off the bed. 'Cat! Can't you do something about her?'I blinked sleepily and chuckled at his sour, unimpressed expression. 'Sorry hun, she loves you. That's how she shows it.'He grumbled while he headed for the wardrobe.We met Yakov at the inner gate. He laughed at the red stripe on Alek's face. 'Did she get you again?'Alek smiled ruefully, 'One morning I'll be quick enough.'The three of us chatted while we followed the trail between the inner and outer gates. Every so often calls rang out from above, as the guards tracked our progressthe only way we could run without an escortto be observed from above.When we got back to the castle, Alek and I had to boot it to get ready. We had a Council meeting to attend and an earlier start than usual, as the men had to leave with Leseach after lunch. Alek lounged

YAKOV WENT TO WATCH THE girls at practice with the Lieutenants the next day. They all paused mid-strike when he entered, then set back into it. Today was staff practice. Kassie sat out, waiting her turn while the other three trained.The petite brunette smiled at Yakov as he had a seat next to her. 'Good morning, Kassie. How are you?''Good. Just waiting my turn.'A loud crack and thump made them both look up in time to see Cat stagger back, staff broken in two and a shoulder oddly low. Ignatius, who'd appeared to have assigned himself as her personal trainer, caught her good arm and slipped a hand under the dislocated shoulder. 'Ready?'Everyone paused. The other girls wore stoic expressions as they felt Cat's pain through their link. Cat, her face grey, gave Ignatius a terse nod. In a swift move he seized her wrist and flicked the arm high. It slipped back into the joint, and the girls breathed a sigh of relief while the grey colour vanished from Cat's face.'Thanks,' she said t

RIDING THE HORSES THROUGH THE outer gate felt fantastic. Loi called to Sabyn. 'So, where to?'He jerked his head in the direction. 'This way. It'll be a hard ride for a good hour.'She gave a whoop of excitement when they charged off. The track quickly changed from an easy path to a winding, narrow track, with some decent drops. Their speed slowed as they navigated the trailthe most challenging ride she'd been on in a while, and she rose in the stirrups as her horse readied to jump a log. Jumping had been a particular challenge to learn on Earth and Loi felt a thrill of delight when she aced the landing. Being able to ride in rough terrain, instead of the easy trekking paths on Earth, was something she'd rarely had the opportunity to do.Encouraging her horse after Sabyn's, her long heavy braid flopped over a shoulder as she leaned forward. She flicked it back, while admiring Sabyn. He rode as well as she did. She bit her lower lip while her eyes traced the muscles of his back, visi

ALEK EXCUSED HIMSELF, AND LEFT Cat in his father's study, reading. Our father, he reminded himself; what a strange idea. The first stop was the kitchen. Hiranes listened as Alek explained, a delighted smile spreading on his aged face. 'Yes, yes, I can do that.'Alek grinned, 'Excellent. But don't forgetsecret.'Hiranes nodded then turned and clapped his hands, calling for the kitchen staff. Alek left to find Vesbel, the castle's event organizer.Vesbel was in her room at the other end of the ground floor, next to Ada's quarters. When Alek opened the door, he discovered her four jybois in the midst of joyfully dismantling an object.'Would you get them out of here?' called Vesbel as she wrestled with something. 'I need that in one piece.'A sharp whistle made their heads snap up and eight sets of large, round, black eyes stared at him. Grabbing an ornament off a shelf, he tossed it out the door. The ornament sparkled in the light while it rolled through the doorway. The four jybois

THAT AWFUL SMELL SEEMED TO permeate everywhere in the castle, but most people saw the funny side. Loi, Kassie, and I helped Sian to clean the mess up, and teased her mercilessly the whole time. Our brave male creatures, however, made themselves scarce, unable to face the stench without retching. The griffon pups stuffed themselves silly, and most ended up being sick. Loushka, Phroma, and Tomiar herded the now miserable pups outside so Sian could shower them off. Then Loi, Kassie, and I dried them with fluffy towels.Nesha and Kerak helped Sito move the remains of the fish to a field a decent distance away. It delighted the farmer, and we found out that the bones of a numie fish were a much sought-after fertilizer. The older griffons joined Sito in the field for a meal once the courtyard was clean and the pups were asleep.THE NEXT DAY WAS ENERGY training. In the Merrej desert, within Elena's protective circle, Kassie closed her eyes while focusing on Sito. The dragon looked unconce