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paced to the window and stared out. “I lived for a time with the sylvans in the Durenwoods. They trained me in herbs and healing. But those woods shelter secrets, Mellie. It was there that I met adark angel, a malevolent. He was a hunter, and I became his quarry. I vowed I would never again have anything to do with sylvans or the Durenwoods or the games of angels.”
    “But Benasin—”
    “Is simply a friend. We’ve long had an unspoken agreement to keep the affairs of angels out of our friendship.”
    Melaia drummed her fingers on the mat. Questions crowded her mind, but little time remained to find answers. “What about the sylvans who brought me here?”
    “I turned them away. Refused to listen to them. But I couldn’t refuse the girl child they brought me. I couldn’t turn you away. I wanted to save you from the woods, from the angels. It’s no life for a human.” Hanni eased down to the mat beside Melaia. “A child found by angels is said to be gifted with wisdom and insight. I chose you as my successor because I assumed you would have an innate spiritual sensitivity that other girls would not have.”
    Melaia’s shoulders drooped. “I disappointed you.”
    “Never, Mellie.” Hanni stroked her cheek. “The Erielyon’s death made me rethink my decisions.”
    “That makes no sense.”
    “Mellie, going to Redcliff may be your escape.”
    Melaia frowned. “From what?”
    “I don’t know. I told you I refused to listen when the sylvans brought you to the temple. Now I can’t shake the fear that the Erielyon’s scroll was meant for me.”
    “ ‘Now is payment due in full’? What does that have to do with you?”
    “I was your age when I pledged to spend a number of years serving with the sylvans in the Durenwoods. After my experience with the dark angel, I broke that pledge and returned to Navia. Perhaps the sylvans want your service to pay for the years I owed them.”
    “Then I’ll serve.” Melaia sat tall, undaunted, even eager. What better way to learn about angels?
    “I’ll not allow it,” said Hanni. “I can’t condemn you to repeat my past. Angels can take care of themselves and their own affairs. The more you can distance yourself, the better.”
    Melaia didn’t argue. She had no choice anyway. She was headed for Redcliff as the overlord’s gift.

CHAPTER 4
    G ray clouds scudded across the sky as a wagon rattled north out of Navia, followed by the kingsman on his dappled horse. Seated snugly in the bed of the wagon, Benasin’s well-wrapped harp at her feet, Melaia fought the urge to look back. She feared the kingsman would think she was distressed over leaving Navia, which she was. Worse, he might think she was ogling him, as did every other girl they passed. Iona had practically swooned.
    So Melaia gazed glumly ahead down the road. She should be rejoicing. Only the day before she had dreamed of traveling. But leaving town freely was one thing. Being sent unwillingly was another matter.
    Her throat tightened at the memory of the girls gathered in the temple doorway, watching her leave: Iona standing tall as the eldest now, Nuri chattering advice to mask her own distress, Peron waving her doll furiously, and behind them Hanni, her hands clasped at her chin.
    Melaia had finished packing with Hanni at her shoulder trying to press a year’s worth of instruction into one evening.
    “Bide at the temple if you have a choice in the matter,” she had said. “I know the high priest there. Jarrod. He can counsel you.” Hanni had held up three fingers. “This is the sign of the Tree. You saw it on Dreia’s book. It’s a greeting between angels and their supporters. Avoid those who use it.”
    Bumping along in the back of the wagon, Melaia could not recall all of Hanni’s advice. Nor could she see this journey as a promotion to a new position at Redcliff. Under the circumstances she felt too keenly that she was being shipped off like property. She blinked away tears and stared at