Chapter 1

An insistent knock on the door broke Lenara Lenquil’s concentration. “If the Archives aren’t on fire, you better have one hell of a reason for bothering me!”

The knob turned and Brant Grellan entered, a young woman at his side. “Good afternoon, Lennie. Still working on the Callan Journal?”

“Yep. About halfway finished. I need to copy the sketches of the ruins and I have to check the maps down in the lower level either today or tomorrow.” She eyed the female. “What’s the deal with the youngster?”

“I’m not a youngster! I’m eighteen!”

Lennie studied the poorly cut black hair and slender build. Damn! The way she’s dressed, you would have a hard time figuring out she’s a female until she talked. “What do you want, Brant? I told you it would take me another day or two to finish going through this journal.”

“Orders from the…