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.“I don’t know that there’s anything he can do to save her.but he might know something we don’t.”Sick at heart, Damien nodded.What good is it to play at Healing, if you can’t save the ones you care about?Senzei led the priest upstairs, to what appeared to be his workroom: a semi-finished, cluttered space which took up half of the second story.The nearer wall was lined with shelves, on which all manner of books and artifacts rested; opposite it a broad, aged desk supported piles and piles of documents.Damien caught sight of ward specifications, and recognized a symbol that had once been in the shop.Clearly, Senzei was trying to determine who—or what—might have circumvented Ciani’s defenses.In the center of the room stood a man.or rather, what appeared to be a man.He was bearded, husky, and dressed in a manner that seemed wholly inappropriate for such a gathering.A lush, fur-edged robe of emerald velvet hung open at the chest, and swept the floor behind his heels.It gave the impression of having been but loosely belted in place, with nothing underneath.From his summer sandals to his opulent jewelry, his every accessory was inappropriate for the time and the place he was in—and mismatched to each other as well, as if he had chosen each ring and necklace for its momentary appeal, without thought for its relationship to the whole of his appearance.Damien keyed a Knowing, and what he saw made his hair stand on end.Instinctively he reached for his sword—and discovered that he didn’t have it on him.The stranger nodded.“Your priest would slay demons.” He raised a brass goblet to his lips and drank—it hadn’t been in his hand a minute ago, Damien was sure of it—and nodded.“An admirable reflex.But speaking as one who prefers not to die, I hope he’ll get over it.”“This is Karril,” Senzei said quietly.“An old.friend, of Ciani’s.”Damien took a deep breath, reminded himself where he was, and managed to unclench his fists.Nevertheless his heart was pounding, and adrenaline rushed through his system as if he were heading into battle.It’s just reflex for him to consult the faeborn.He doesn’t understand that each such contact serves to reconfirm man’s vulnerability on this planet.But where do we draw the line? When do we start controlling this world, instead of just accepting it?“How is she?” the demon asked him.Startled, Damien took a moment to respond.What kind of Summoning was this, that allowed the faeborn such autonomy? Then he found his voice, and answered, “Asleep.At least for now.Thank God for that, anyway.” He sighed, heavily.“I wish I knew what to do for her.”“Karril healed her once before,” Senzei told Damien.“I gave her peace,” the demon corrected.“An illusion, no more.At that time, it was enough.All she wanted was to forget.This time they maimed her—and I’m not a Healer.”“But you know what happened?” Damien asked.“Do you know who did it?”For a brief moment, the demon was very still.“I know,” he said at last.“Who hurt her, why they did it.and why she can’t be healed this time.And I’m sorry, but that is the case.”“I don’t accept that.”The demon seemed startled.“Unusual spirit,” he mused aloud.“I’m beginning to understand what she saw in you.”Damien’s expression darkened.“If you have information, I’m ready to hear it.If you’re here to assess our relationship.”Karril drank heavily from his goblet, then dropped it; it disappeared before it hit the ground.“Church manners are so atrocious, don’t you think, Senzei? They have no concept of how to deal with the faebom.As if they could wish us out of existence merely by being rude.”Damien glared.“Under the circumstances—”“Enough! You’re quite right.I’ve been Summoned, after all.” For some reason that term seemed to amuse him.“I’ll tell you, priest.Everything I know.And later, Senzei can explain what it costs me to do that.Just being near such pain as hers weakens me considerably.Discussing it, in detail.” He shuddered melodramatically.“And in truth, I don’t know very much,” the demon warned [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]