The words were bad enough, but it was the warm emotion he poured into her that broke her down. The worst had happened.

Fighting back tears, she tried to get away, but his good arm held her in place with more strength than he should have after that beating. "I don't understand," she gasped, hiding her face against his side. "You can't mean that. How can you possibly like a scarred, impossible girl like me?"

He kissed her forehead. "Because I love beautiful, gallant, wounded creatures."

She began sobbing uncontrollably.

"Am I that bad a bargain, Cinders?" he asked softly. "I know I'm a peasant compared to you, but I thought that didn't bother you as much as it used to."

Voice choked, she said, "N ... no one has really cared about me since my mother died. And ... she wouldn't have died if my father had sent for a healer like Elspeth. But because she had magic, he wanted her dead. And me, too." Her mouth twisted with bitterness. "I refused to oblige him."

"Oh, Cynthia." His arm tightened around her and he rested his cheek against the top of her head. "What a fool he was to throw away such a jewel of a daughter."

The vibration of his voice was soothing, like the purring of his silly cat back at Swallow Grange. Deep knots in her spirit began to unwind. "You wouldn't throw me away, would you?" she asked in a small voice. Jack was nothing like her father, but this was a question she had to ask. And an answer she needed to hear.

For once speaking with no trace of levity, he said, "Only a fool would throw away the most precious thing he's ever found. And I am not a fool."

Cynthia had closed her heart to love after her mother died, but she could no longer bear the loneliness. Gathering her courage, she dropped the barriers she'd built to protect herself from pain. Though she'd shared magic with him for their weather work, the rush of his emotions she felt now was like nothing she'd ever experienced. Love, respect, a fierce desire that he'd kept banked so he wouldn't frighten her.

Most of all, she felt his love. As joy blossomed within her, she began to laugh. "I'm joining your collection of damaged creatures, aren't I?"

"They're all special." There was a grin in Jack's voice as he traced the scar on her cheek that she no longer bothered to conceal. "And you're the most special of all."

CHAPTER 37.

Despite the unorthodox night's sleep, Tory knew exactly where she was when she awoke. She and Allarde still lay spooned together, her head on his shoulder, his warm arm wrapped around her waist. Despite the darkness and stuffy air and cold stone beneath her, she had never felt happier in her life.

"You're awake, aren't you?" he asked softly as he created a mage light and tossed it into the air above them.

"Your shoulder must be numb since I've been sleeping on it." She rolled onto her back and trailed fingers down his cheek. "And your whiskers are getting serious."

He turned his head and kissed the center of her palm. "I hope you don't mind."

She gasped as desire flared through her. "We ... we should be thinking about going home," she stammered.

"Soon." He bent his head and kissed her again, his warm body enfolding her.

The world dissolved as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back. There was only now, only this heat and hunger to merge with him body and soul. She wanted to close down her mind and luxuriate in his scent and warmth and touch.

But her mind would not quite depart. Gasping for air, she turned her head and broke the kiss. "We can't. This ... this is probably a bad idea."

He rolled away and sat up, breathing hard as he ran stiff fingers through his dark tangled hair. "Why do so many bad ideas feel so very good?"

She laughed a little as she pushed herself to a sitting position. "Mr. Hackett at Lackland would say it's the devil's plan to lure us to sin."

"He might have a point. Certainly you are wickedly alluring." Allarde squeezed her hand, then stood. "How do you feel? You burned a huge amount of magic last night."

She stiffly got to her feet as she tested the wellspring of power deep inside. "Every muscle in my body aches, but my power seems surprisingly strong. How about you? You burned as much magic as I did."

"I feel fully restored. Sleeping together is good for both of us." He slipped an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. "We'll need every bit of that power to get this group home. Can we manage everyone in a single trip?"

She closed her eyes and thought about how this transit should be done. "I think so. We need to space the Irregulars out. I'll lead, Nick will be at the other end, you and Jack and Cynthia and Elspeth interspersed along the line. The hard part will be persuading everyone to go along with something so strange."

But persuasion was easier than she expected. She and Allarde rejoined the others, who had gathered in the largest chamber, sitting in small groups and talking quietly among themselves. The connection Tory had noticed between Cynthia and Jack had turned into a blaze. She'd never seen her roommate look happier.

"Everyone is here," Allarde said after scanning the stone chamber. Raising his voice, he called, "It's time for the next step, which is the journey home. Tory will lead the way. Here she is to explain what must be done."

As Allarde helped Tory onto a natural stone block so everyone could see her, she hissed, "You're the one with the gravitas! You should do the talking."

He grinned. "In this you lead, my lady."

She felt awkward telling so many adults what to do, but when she finished her brief explanation, Rebecca got to her feet. "I'll follow you anywhere, Tory."

Her father also stood. "You young people have already performed miracles. I shall believe you can perform this one."

His wife nodded and took her son's hand. "When do we go? We have no reason to stay longer in this damp cave."

Glad that Elspeth's persuasion was making everyone cooperative, Tory said, "Then we shall leave now."

She stepped down from the stone block and led the way back to the mirror, Allarde behind her. It took time for such an assorted group to make their way through the varying passages, and when they reached the mirror chamber, it took more time for Tory to arrange everyone to her satisfaction.

Mrs. Stein was holding her baby, so her husband took hold of one upper arm and Elspeth the other. Since Jack was still battered and limping, Cynthia insisted on holding his hand even though it meant two Irregulars were standing together. But after a few minutes of shuffling, all was in order.

Raising her voice, Tory said, "This will be very uncomfortable, but it will be over quickly. Hold tight to your neighbors' hands and soon we'll be safe."

She looked down the straggling line, checking that everyone was in place and holding on to the next person in line. Then she turned to the mirror and closed her eyes as she marshaled her magic, drawing from the others, equalizing and balancing.

Elspeth lacked her usual power, but the other Irregulars had clear, strong magical signatures. Tory was also able to draw on the sparks of magic everyone had. Rebecca had power that rivaled the Irregulars. If she received magical training, she would become a mage to reckon with.

Tory drew together all the magic and decided that she had enough to conduct the group through the portal. Then she visualized the mirror in the Labyrinth during Nick's time. When she was ready, she reached out mentally to touch the mirror, offering the combined magic of all of them.

The mirror shimmered into sight and someone behind Tory gasped at its quicksilver beauty. Then Tory touched the power. Silver turned to black and chaos consumed her.

The mirror passage was no easier this time than the last.

Tory gave a sigh of relief when she saw the sprawling old farmhouse that Nick Rainford and his family called home. It stood sturdily on the famous white cliffs above Lackland village, facing the English Channel and offering shelter to passing mages.

Everyone had made it through the portal, though she felt as if she'd been flattened by one of Nick's lorries. The nonmages had found the trip easier, which was interesting. Perhaps having magic made the passage more difficult.

It was a good thing the farmhouse wasn't too far from the ruined abbey. Tory was numb with fatigue. If she hadn't been holding on to Allarde's arm, she would curl up beneath a hedge and sleep for a week.

Just in front of her and Allarde, Nick led the way home through the darkness. As they approached the stone house, he glanced at the line of people following. "My mother didn't flinch when I brought five Irregulars home, but this lot might startle even her."

Tory smiled. "Your mother teaches school. Surely she has nerves of steel."

Behind her, Daniel Weiss said, "We shall not be trouble, Nicholas. An old barn will suit us well. Tomorrow I will contact Dr. Florey."

"We can do better than a barn, though it might be rolling up in blankets in the drawing room." Nick tried the door to his house. Locked. With a sigh, he dug into his pocket. "We didn't used to lock the door, ever."

Before he could find his key, the door flew open and his mother stood there silhouetted against the light. "Thank God you're here, Doctor...!"

She stopped, startled, then grabbed her son in a fierce grip. "Nick!" Her face was haggard. "You're not who I expected, but thank God you're home! Where did you go this time, you beastly boy? I've been half mad with worry!"

"I've traveled through the mirror to France, Mum." He gestured behind him. "And I've brought back three families from there as well as some old friends. But now we'd better get inside or the wardens will come around to complain about the light."

Anne Rainford pushed her hair back with a distracted hand. "Three families?" Her gaze sharpened as she studied the clusters of people behind Nick. "A good thing I made a great pot of bean soup today! Come in, please, and rest."

Tory moved forward. "Mrs. Rainford, it's wonderful to see you! But you were looking for a doctor. Is someone ill?"

"Tory!" Anne gave her a quick hug, then looked anxiously into the night. "Is Elspeth with you? Polly is dreadfully ill. I've sent for her father to come down from London."

Tory caught her breath, feeling Mrs. Rainford's fear. Anne Rainford would not have summoned her husband if Polly's condition wasn't dire.

"Oh, no!" Nick cried, his face anguished. "Not Polly!" He bolted toward the stairs and took them three at a time up to the bedrooms.

Elspeth joined Mrs. Rainford as the refugees streamed by into the house. Voice low, she said, "I'm here, but my power is almost burned out. Of course I'll do what I can, but that isn't much just now. What's wrong with Polly?"

"Blood poisoning," Anne said tersely. "She was scratched by a piece of debris thrown up by a bomb. A scratch, it was nothing. But now..." Her voice broke.

Sarah Weiss said in her softly accented voice, "My husband and I are both physicians, Madame Rainford, and he has been developing a medicine to fight infections like blood poisoning."

Daniel added, "There has been great difficulty manufacturing this drug in large quantities, but we are close to success." He patted the improvised knapsack he carried. "I have with me the small amount we successfully made in France."

"If you wish us to try it on your daughter, we will," Sarah warned. "But it is still experimental."

Anne said starkly, "Would you give it to a child of your own?"

Gaze holding Anne's, Sarah said gravely, "I would."

Anne nodded. "Then please do what you can. Otherwise..." She shook her head. "The local doctor spends much of his time at the military hospital and hasn't yet come. I don't think he could help her even if he came, but I had to do something."

"We are here and will do our best," Sarah said. "Where is the child?"

"Upstairs." Her expression lightened by hope, Anne turned to the others. "Tory and Elspeth, you come, too. If Polly is aware, she will be glad to see you." She glanced over the people crowded into her kitchen. "Allarde and Cynthia, you know the household, please make our guests comfortable. Jack, you look ready to fall over. Do sit down before that happens. We don't need another patient."

Tory almost laughed as she went upstairs in Mrs. Rainford's wake. There was nothing like a schoolteacher for organizing a group of people.

Her humor vanished when they entered Polly's room. Two years younger than Tory, Polly was taller and had been robustly healthy. Now she looked like a wizened old woman on the doorstep of death. Her fair hair was drenched with sweat and her skin flushed with fever.

Nick knelt by the bed, holding his sister's thin hand. From his stark expression, he was remembering his funeral dream and wondering if it was already too late.

Polly rolled her head toward the door when her visitors entered. "Tory?" she said in a thin, dry whisper. "Elspeth? I'm glad to have a chance to say good-bye."

Chilled by the fatalistic words, Tory kissed her friend's forehead. The skin was fever hot. "Wait until you hear of our adventures!"

"It's good to be back." Elspeth patted Polly's hand, then withdrew with Tory to the other side of the bed so they'd be out of the way. But there was anguish in her eyes. If she'd had her full magical power, she would be able to drive the inflammation from Polly's fever-wracked body.

"Darling, I've brought you not one but two physicians," Mrs. Rainford said, her voice soothing. "Dr. Weiss and Dr. Weiss. This is my daughter, Mary Rainford, but we always call her Polly."

"It is my pleasure, Miss Polly," Sarah Weiss said as she began a swift examination, checking Polly's temperature and pulse and general health.

Tory and Elspeth clasped hands, silently sharing their concern. While Sarah performed her assessment, Daniel set his knapsack down and delved into the center, bringing out a flat metal case and a pair of carefully wrapped bottles.

When she was done, Sarah smoothed sweat-soaked hair from Polly's forehead with a cool hand. "We have a magical new medicine, you see. It is called penicillin and is made from something very simple, a mold found on bread."

Anne Rainford looked briefly appalled. Elspeth said, "Molds have been used for dressings forever, but have always been unpredictable. If Dr. Weiss develops a drug that is consistent and can be made in large amounts, it will change the world."

"That will happen, though not by one man alone," Daniel said soberly. "Miss Polly, I have here the medicine and a needle, but my wife will administer it because she is better with injections. You will hardly notice."

"It is good you are small, for we have only a small amount of penicillin. But for you, enough." Sarah rolled up the sleeve of Polly's sweat-dampened nightgown. Using another bottle and a ball of cotton, she cleaned a spot on Polly's upper arm.

Tory realized that the two doctors were deliberately keeping up the flow of soft, reassuring words as they explained. Probably it was as much to soothe the others in the room as for Polly.

Inflammation was one of the great killers. Tory had known people to die from wounds as simple as the piercing of a rose thorn. The only sure cure was at the hands of a powerful healer, and there were few as good as Elspeth. Truly it was a miracle to think that this medical magic might soon be available to everyone.

Sarah took the needle and delicately inserted it under the skin. Polly instinctively tried to pull away, but the doctor said soothingly, "This will be only a moment. Great magic requires a little pain, eh?"

"My magic is a lot of work!" Polly said fretfully.

"You are very brave, ma petite," Sarah said as she withdrew the needle and blotted the small drop of blood at the site of the injection. "Sleep now, and by morning you will be better. We shall give you another injection later."

As Polly turned away, her eyes closing, Anne Rainford whispered, "Truly she will recover?"

Sarah hesitated. "We have had very good results in tests. I shall pray that the results are equally good now."

Anne took her daughter's limp hand. "I'll stay with her tonight. Nick, look after our guests."

He nodded mutely and led the others out of the room. As the Weisses headed down the steps, Tory moved to Nick's side and gave his hand a quick squeeze. "Your dream must have been a warning," she said softly. "A good thing you acted on it."

"To think if I hadn't gone! Or if we'd returned a day later." He shuddered.

"But everything worked out as it should," she said firmly. "Even Jack and Cynthia rescuing the Bouchards. I don't think that was a coincidence, Nick."

He frowned. "Do you think that if the mirrors were designed by Merlin or other British mages, they built in magic to encourage events that will benefit Britain?"

"Perhaps. Or maybe it's divine plan." Tory covered a yawn. "I'm too tired to make sense of what happened."

"I don't care if it was coincidence or divine plan," Nick said with a sigh. "I'm just glad all the pieces fell into place for us and we got home in time for Polly. The dream I had-no longer feels like it's going to happen."

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, the door opened and a tired-looking man in army uniform entered. Captain Thomas Rainford. He stopped and blinked behind his wire-rimmed spectacles at all the people moving around his home. "What the devil?"