The moment I landed back in the bedroom, I knew I was too late. The touch of werewolf and sorcery was gone. I jerked the door open after swearing at the lock I myself engaged, racing down the hall and into the foyer, reaching for Piers even though I knew he was gone.

They all were. Didn't take them long to clear out, either. I stood in the empty dining room, maps still spread out, and knew I'd pushed the young sorcerer to act impetuously by denying his request for ...