I wiped at my eyes and nose, then a combination of sobs and gags lurched from my mouth as I pressed my cheek into the cold metal. The Saelis had come to open the rings to Mayvel and Wix. What if I was already too late?

"Absidy." Poh's voice behind me, tight and filled with warning.

I snapped my eyes open.

Enormous, black-scaled feet tipped with curled claws stepped toward my head. A deep tremble rattled down my back. My body shrank away instinctively, but I ...