Sitara hurried along one of the narrow earthen passages of the catacombs, fear a heavy weight on her shoulders. She should have already reached the side tunnel that would take her around the area where Masego had set his trap.

The sharp sounds of battle rang out in the distance, adding to her desperation. She was late. She'd left Tanathos near the large room where they were to spring the trap and take the man Kevlin. The Shadeleech thought he'd get Kevlin, but Sitara expected Masego to twist the encounter to his benefit, leaving Tanathos as the scapegoat.

If she didn't hurry, they'd leave her behind. She was apprehensive to finally meet her faceless employer, but knowing him would grant a huge advantage. She'd have to exercise extreme caution. He wielded tremendous influence from the shadows. No doubt he'd prove even more dominating in person.

Sitara picked up her pace, wishing she dared allow more light from her shuttered lantern. The tiny beam barely illuminated her path enough to keep from running into the twisting walls. She might easily have missed her turn.

No, this had to be right. The alternative was too terrifying to dwell on.

So engrossed was she in watching for the expected turn that she rounded a corner and collided with a soldier wearing the uniform of the elite guard of Einarr. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with typical close-cropped blond hair.

"I'm so sorry," Sitara stammered.

The soldier smiled at the sound of her voice. "Here now, little lady. What are you doing down here in the catacombs?"

Sitara tried to pull away, but he grabbed her arm. She said, "I was looking for my grandfather's tomb to lay some flowers on his grave to mark his birthday, but I'm afraid I lost my way."

"It's easy to do down here." He released her arm, his suspicion fading under the influence of her sweet voice. "It's not safe here tonight. I'll escort you back to the surface."

"That's not necessary," Sitara protested.

"It's no bother." He took her hand and led her along the passage. "I'm happy to help."

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After no more than ten steps, the right-hand turn Sitara had been looking for came into view. She pulled the soldier to a stop. "Oh, here's the tunnel I was looking for. I wasn't lost at all. Thank you so much for your help, but I must be going now."

The soldier frowned. "I'm sorry, miss, but I'm afraid no civilians are allowed down here tonight. You'll have to leave your flowers tomorrow."

He glanced down at her hands and his frown deepened. "Where are your flowers, miss?"

This distraction was wasting too much time. Sitara opened herself to the power of darkness. Here in the bowels of the earth, surrounded by the dead, the sickening power exploded into her with exceptional force. It filled her with strength and clogged her innards with its filth. She gagged with revulsion.

"Are you sick?" The soldier leaned closer.

She clubbed him in the head with an invisible fist of air.

His cry of alarm cut off as she crushed him against the wall of the passage. He slumped to the ground, unmoving.

Sitara left him and raced down the side passage. She hoped no one else patrolled this section of the tunnels. She couldn't afford any more delays.

As she rounded the next bend, she caught sight of flickering torchlight. She whispered the keisara's favorite curse and shuttered her lantern again. Then she crept forward, extending her senses like feelers. Whispered voices echoed down the passage, clear to her enhanced hearing.

"You two, stand guard here," said one voice. "Report any intruders."

"I can hear battle," a second voice said in an eager whisper. "We should go help."

"You have your orders," repeated the first. "Harafin and the others can take care of that rabble. We're to watch for stragglers."

"And what am I supposed to do if we run into a rogue Sentinel down here?" the second voice asked.

A third voice joined the conversation. "Don't worry, my friend. Sentinels have no power over my brotherhood."

"Right," the second voice said. "Forgot that. I'll do the bladework, and you knock out the gifted."

"Deal."

Sitara backed away. There would be no easy passage this way. She would have struck down the unsuspecting guards, but her powers would have no effect on the Stalwart.

Then her enhanced senses drew her attention back the way she had come.

A deep but surprisingly gentle voice spoke. "Ho there. What happened, my friend?"

The voice of the soldier who had tried to escort Sitara out of the catacombs sounded groggy. "A girl hit me."

A quiet laugh. "Better be careful who you tell that to, friend."

"No," the soldier protested, his voice stronger. "I didn't see the blow. It came out of nowhere and clobbered me. Felt like a hammer-strike."

"Can you describe this girl?"

"Aye."

Sitara panicked. Her face was not unknown in the palaces. Tonight's plan was to flee the capital as soon as Masego learned the location of Tia Khoa from the man Kevlin.

The mention of Harafin's name by those other soldiers now cast a dreadful doubt over the success of the mission. Even if they took him, Sitara had no idea how long it might take to steal the stone. She had survived this long only through her secret anonymity.

The soldier must die.