LYING DAZED ON THE HARD-WET cobblestones, Elena stared in horror as Duke Ryher raised the flanged metal mace high. Throat paralyzed in fear her vision swirled, blackness sucking her down as the mace fell.

'Ellie, Ellie!'

An urgent but familiar voice broke into Elena's mind, shaking her from the nightmare. There, sitting on the edge of her bed, Verani smiled down at her.

'Looks like I arrived a little too late!'

Elena pressed the back of a hand to her ...