ra

e twilight glade. I stepped towards the shimmering pool of water. A pure

It was cool and felt impossibly real. The liquid seemed to flow into

my head, faint as a distant bell.

d around, startl

x Jade," the voice whispered. It was weak,

spirit vessel. "Can you he

passed. The Moonpetal Spring can purify toxins, but its power must be unlocked with the correct

them, herbs I recognized from ancient, forg

imple wooden shelf, sat a small jade bottle with a stopper. A label was affixed to it,

hey can provide a powerful, instantaneous burst of energy.

s, the softness of her voice, and the love she had given her before she died. This h

longer," Phoenix Jade's voice faded slightly. "You

f plucking a few leaves of the Silver-leaf and a cutting of the Dragon's

nds," a powerful force pushed again

old, dim room. But I was not empty-handed. Lying in my palm were t

ugh escaped my lips. I

ppressed it. Caution first. I carefully hid the Five-Dragon Pills and most

er, but a prisoner with needs. My confinement could be used to my advantage. I would make a list of "comforts" fo

eard heavy, angry footsteps approach

elivery for

amed Brenda Tucker filled the doorway. She was Annabella's favorite dog, a

lled with clothes and filthy water. They dumped it on the floor

"Miss Annabella's orders, my lady. Since you've got nothing better to

anted to make one thing clear: whatever had happened

renda's smug, ugly face. A cold, quiet anger bega

off the bed and stood up. I started wa