Alexei’s POV

When she looked at me, her voice didn't come from her lips; it echoed directly inside my mind. She was forcing a mindlink.

“The enemy you seek is within your midst,” she warned, her mental voice rasping like dry leaves. “Find him, or your greatest fear will come to pass... and one more thing. You must not let her die. If she dies, you will have to kill her twice.”

“What do you mean, kill her twice?” I demanded aloud.

But there was no answer. The Old Lady simply vanished into the shadows of the room, leaving nothing but the scent of lavender behind. In the same breath,...