Chapter 53: Targets

I paced my quarters, impatient now to act as I waited for Zinnia to arrive. My attempts to reach Syd-even with Mabel's

help-failed miserably, though I didn't want my sister's help this time. I just wanted to keep her posted. This job,

finding a way to fix things, was mine and mine alone.

But, no. Not alone. I clenched my hands into fists at my side as I paced, thinking of Sequoia and Jabut, my faithful

Pagomaris. Where were they? I'd been unable to reach them and realized Henemordonin must have captured and imprisoned

them much as he'd done with Sassafras.

Worry for them had me in a frantic state by the time the door opened and Zinnia entered. All of my concern collapsed

around me as I looked up and saw she wasn't alone.

Sequoia hugged me with a soft cry. She was slightly rumpled, but didn't appear all the worse for wear. Jabut was another

story, split lip and cracked horn telling me he'd put up a mighty battle. Pagomaris hugged me, too, though she seemed the