I shook my head and closed my eyes. “We can’t. I have to stay in proximity to the kings.” Silence. My eyes shot open as I realized what I’d inadvertently revealed. Sadie’s catlike features seemed sharper as she asked softly, “Why can’t you leave their proximity, Aran?” I sighed. Pulled my pipe from my pocket and pressed it between my lips. I held both hands up in the air in the universal “calm down” gesture. “No need to freak out.” Sadie smiled. “Oh, I’m calm.”
