There was an angry red scar above Mia's left breast. He realized what the smell on the landing outside the tower room had been. It was the odor of burning flesh.
Mia MacIver had been branded!
VI
Cosmo said, "Mia, Mia," and gathered her to him. "What have they done to you?"
Llana scurried past like a frightened rabbit.
"She's getting away!" Mia cried. "She'll rouse the house!"
"Never mind." Cosmo could hear her clatter down the stair. "We've got a hostage." He gave Mia a wry grin, added, "that is, if I haven't killed Bemmelman."
Mia shivered, leaned against him. He glanced down, saw she was regarding him strangely. With a dry sob she buried her head on his shoulder.
"Cosmo, Cosmo, don't ever leave me again." Her voice was almost lost. "Take me with you—into the mountains."