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“Do not kick the Queen of the Magnetland out of my home!” Randa shouted through the door, sounding scandalized. “My grandmother would die all over again from the social embarrassment. Tell Mara anything you want. You clearly need all the advice you can get.”

“Okay, great. I don’t suppose you’re ready to talk to me…?”

“No!”

Kahn winced and retreated. He was in the most important fight of his life, and part of winning a war meant picking your battles. That was exactly why he’d called in reinforcements.

Mara arched a brow. “She doesn’t sound scared of you.”

“She’s not.” He slowly shook his head. “But she’s scared of this situation. She’s scared of men.” His voice held a wealth of meaning.

Mara stared up at him.

Kahn stared back.

Understanding passed between them.

Mara’s eyes briefly closed. “Like Tonia?” She guessed with a sigh.

Kahn nodded. They had both been there when Tonia was recovering. They’d both seen it firsthand. “Parald.” The name was delivered like a curse.

“Too bad he’s dead, or you could kill that bastard.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“You’ll have to help Randa adjust to you. The Phazing energy will heal some. The rest will take time, but you’ll have lots of that. Don’t worry.”

“She’s going to renounce me out of fear. I know it. Also she hates me, most of the time.”

“A lot of people hate you, most of the time. But a Match will…”

He cut her off impatiently. “Can you get her out of there? I need to see her. I need her, Mari.”

“I’ll try.” Mara patted his arm and headed for Randa’s door. “Randa?” She gave a soft knock. “My name is Mara, of the Magnet House. To be honest, I’m coming into this blind, and talking to Kahn only gets me so far. You’ve met him.”

Kahn made a face at her.

Mara kept talking to Randa’s door. “I’d love to speak with you and get your read on things. I give you my word of honor; Kahn will stay here in the living area. It will just be me.”

Nothing for a very long time.

Then the lock on the door disengaged.

Kahn could’ve cried with relief.

Mara sent him a smile and slipped inside the bedroom.

***

Randa had never met Mara, of the Magnet House, but she knew her on sight. All the Elementals knew Mara from the endless magazine covers and internet articles. She was one of the most famous Phases alive, because of her Cinderella romance with Chason and because she’d recently come back from the dead.

“Hello.” Mara looked nothing like her menacing cousin. They both had black eyes, but that was the extent of their resemblance. Mara was willowy and elegant, with dark hair. Kahn was a huge, blond barbarian. Her manners were also better than Kahn’s. Mara stood against the deep green wall, taking up as little space in the room as possible. She clearly suspected Randa needed a lot of distance to feel comfortable.

It was a good guess.

Randa crossed her arms over her chest, wondering why she’d agreed to talk to Mara, of all people. What would it achieve? Maybe she could make an emergency appointment with Dr. Ashley.

“I’m so sorry to barge into your home uninvited. Kahn didn’t give me any details when he called. I don’t think he considered the propriety of it.”