Biham rolled the parchment out and began reading it. As he read it, his eyes became wider like a saucer. His face turned red with every line. He looked up and said, "Who could have written this letter to a Mixer for Lara?" The letter wasn't signed. He snapped his gaze towards Sirrah who seemed to shrink in her place.

She clutched the back of a chair as she stared at him with pure fear. "I— I don't know," she squeaked.

"Where is Lara?" he asked.

She trembled like a leaf under his scrutinizing gaze. "She left to attend the fire festival yesterday morning and hasn't returned since then."

Rigel...