An ominous feeling rose up in Mana's heart and she rushed out of the side room with only one thought in her mind – she had to get to Raven!
Raven's face was as white as a sheet and he swayed unsteadily as he stood up.
"Mana," he murmured. "I – I – am I – is it – is it true?" he stammered, his eyes unfocussed and his voice barely audible. Then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and gathered himself. Then his eyes snapped open, their colours changed from the usual soft rainbow glow to a deep, liquid black. "Does the book really say that I am going to kill Papa?" he asked.
Mana opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn't, because her mother interrupted her.
"She won't tell you the truth," Queen Dora said, coming up behind Mana – and stalling whatever she was about to say. "But I have read the book, too – and yes, the book very clearly says that you are the one that killed my Jaren."
Tears fell down Raven's fair cheeks.
