tiling he did was toss his hat onto the bed and head for the bathroom to

throw

some cold water on his face. As he went through the bathroom door he brought

his

right hand up to rub his aching forehead and felt the runestone. It was hot.

He

glanced into the bathroom mirror and his eyes widened. The runestone was

giving

off a soft green glow.

"Kira?" he said, but at the same time she came in behind him, looking down at

her hand.

"Hey, warlock, did you notice if—"

She stopped when she saw him. The sapphire runestone set into her palm was

giving off a soft blue glow.

"You, too, huh?" she said, staring at his forehead. "Does it hurt?"

"Sort of a burning ache," said Wyrdrune. "I thought it was just a headache

from

the flight over."

"Yeah, mine aches like hell too," she said, holding her wrist and flexing her

fingers. She bit her lower lip nervously. "What do you think it means?"

He shook his head. "I haven't the faintest idea. Where are the others?"

'The fairy was making noises about having dinner," she said. "Jacqueline only

seemed interested in drinking it."

"You don't like her."

Kira shrugged.

"Why?"

"I don't know. Rubs me the wrong way, I guess."

"Couldn't have anything to do with Modred, could it?"

She glanced at him sharply. "What makes you say a thing like that?"

Wyrdrune paused before replying. "She gets a special son of look when she

talks

about him," he said.

"Does she? I hadn't noticed."

"Bull. She's in love with him. You can hear it in her voice. It bothers you,

doesn't it?"

Kira shrugged again. "Why should it bother me?"

"You tell me."

"Don't be ridiculous," she said. 'There was never anything between me and

Modred." She snorted. "Besides, he's a little old for me, don't you think?"