"Correct, but, like their own energy, the energy they stole from another being also depletes over time. They must find one victim after the next to keep replacing their energy in order to stay alive."

"Okay, I think I got it, except for one thing. How do they draw out the spirit energy of others?"

"I'm not sure. I doubt it's easy. The simple things I can do, like create the barrier, takes a lot of skill and concentration."

Lysander shook his head. "From what I've seen, it's simple enough. They simply lay their hands on the person and take it."

Max's eyes went wide. "You've actually seen it happen?"

Max's question drew both Melody and Eve closer to them, both curious as to what Lysander might have seen. Lysander bowed his head, taking a moment to think before answering.

"When I was a child, my parents and I were returning to Moenia from a picnic with another couple and their children. We lost track of time, returning after the sun had set. We made it within a half-mile of the city gates when a Spirit Leech, hidden behind a few rocks, jumped us. She grabbed the other man's wife, yanking her to the ground. Right before us, the Spirit Leech began draining the poor woman of her very life. I could see the color fade from the woman's face. Seconds later, my father and the woman's husband attacked the Spirit Leech, but it fought them off and ran."

"We rushed to the city, informing the Protectors at the gate of the incident. Luckily, the woman survived, thanks to the quick response by her husband and my father. Three days later a patrol found and captured the Spirit Leech."

"What did they do with the Spirit Leech?" asked Max.

"They tried and executed it."

"Even though the woman recovered?"

"That thing would have finished her off if it had the chance."

"How do you know?"

"Because, the curse not only affected their bodies, but their minds as well. They're mad, not caring what they hurt."

Eve b.u.t.ted in. "Well then, Alexandra must not be one, she seems perfectly fine to me."

Lysander laughed. "Fine! She's supposedly nine, but she acts like an adult beyond any of our years. Then there are her powers that even Melody can't explain."

"Okay, but she hasn't tried to hurt any of us. She even healed my arm."

"Her behavior is different from what I have heard of the Spirit Leeches. However, I have a hard time believing she is an Immortal. Either way, she must really need something from us to come out in the open like this."

Melody crossed her arms, angry. "I realize it must have been terrifying to witness such an attack when you were so young, but you can't apply one person's actions to everyone like them. That is the same att.i.tude the Protectors have always had and why our Order has never gotten along with them."

"That att.i.tude is what has kept us alive and in control."

"It's also what keeps you from having an open mind, about the Spirit Leeches, our order, and the lacarna. Perhaps you should give us a chance sometime instead of blindly following your beloved Lord Avram and his lies."

Lysander stopped and faced Melody. "Careful of what you say, acolyte."

Melody huffed, but said nothing else. Lysander turned and started walking again. Max, Melody and Eve gave him a little distance before following.

Melody mumbled under her breath, "Stupid, close-minded Protectors."

Eve smiled slightly, but seemed thoughtful. "What do you think about her, Max?"

Max shrugged his shoulders. "Something is wrong with her, that's for certain. I also have a feeling she's not telling us all the reasons she's taking us to this forest either."

"I don't think she'd hurt us though, Maxy, even if she is a Spirit Leech. I mean, how many of them have the Protectors actually run into?"

"I don't know, and I'm not sure if it would matter. They seem to make their laws on what they think is the truth about people without really getting to know them first." Max shook his head. "I believed being a Protector would be easy; that they did everything that was right and fair. Now it seems that what they think is fair is not how everyone else feels, including me."

Eve sighed. "I wish Mr. Penna had come with us."

"Why? You know all he'd do is give us some vague answer that would make no sense and then tell us to figure it out ourselves. You, on the other hand, have no problem telling me what you think. You also judge people pretty well, if you trust her, I do too."

"B...but, Maxy, what if I'm wrong?"

Max laughed. "Then, once again, you'll have to get me out of trouble."

Eve, laughing, punched Max in the shoulder. "Sure, you join the Protectors, and I do all the work."

Even Melody laughed now, forgetting her frustration with Lysander.

No one brought the topic up again for the rest of the trip to the forest. After two nights on the move, the lack of sleep began to wear them down. They skipped any conversation requiring much thought, focusing instead on following Alexandra.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE.

Five days after leaving Alexandra's camp, they reached the Urania Forest, arriving late in the evening. Alexandra stopped short of entering the forest.

"We will rest here until morning. It is not wise to travel through Urania at night."

Lysander gave one look at the thickness of the forest vegetation and slumped his shoulders. "How far in do we have to go?"

"To the center, next to the mountain's edge. It will take a day and half."

"Is that where I can find out how to open my father's box?"

Lysander snickered. "And where the Lifestone is?"

Alexandra let out a yawn, the first they had seen from her. "Yes, yes, now go to sleep."

Skipping her tent, she found a spot free of rocks or other lumps and lay down. The others, glad for the rest, did likewise. They fell asleep quickly, but an hour later Eve woke with a start.

What was that?

Ears swiveling, she listened for signs of movement. All was still, with only the slow, rhythmic breathing of the others disturbing the night.

I know I heard a voice. Wait, I don't hear Alexandra.

Eve rose onto her elbows and verified the sleeping forms around her. No Alexandra. The voice came again, a faint whisper from the forest.

"Come back, please, come back."

Eve felt the pain in the voice. A strong desire to enter the woods washed over her. Standing without making the slightest of sounds, she crept to the edge of the forest. There she spotted Alexandra, her back towards her, sitting on a fallen tree. Not wanting to wake the others, Eve quietly sat down next to her, keeping her voice to a whisper.

"I, I think the forest called to me?"

Alexandra didn't move as she gazed longingly into the woods. "I am not surprised."

Eve waited for more, but, after several minutes, she gave up. "I feel it pulling at me, like the flowers at the church's garden in Moenia, only much, much stronger. It almost seems, familiar. Like a person I met a long time ago, but can't quite remember."

Alexandra smiled joyfully, an act even Eve believed her incapable of.

"All lacarnians have a special connection to the spirits of their birth place." Her smile faded away. "Except for those born in the villages among the dust and stone. They have nothing to bond with. They lose so much before they even have a chance."

Eve caught her breath. All lacarnians have a connection to the spirits of where they're born?

"Wait, Alexandra, are you saying this is where I was born?"

Alexandra cautiously put her hand on top of Eve's. The warmth of her hand surprised Eve as a joyous sensation flowed through her. A memory of lying on her back in a forest thicket formed in her mind. In it she could feel the same force that had called to her this night. All of a sudden, Alexandra stood over her, laughing with abandon. Eve gasped and the memory faded.

"This was my home and yours. Alexandra, we've met before."

A single tear fell down Alexandra's cheek, only noticeable because of the moonlight that reflected in it. "Yes, at one time, it was your home. I was only a guest."

Behind them came Melody's soft voice. "You were only a guest during Eve's time here, but long ago it was once yours, wasn't it?"

Alexandra sighed, her face revealing a deep sorrow. Eve, her hand still under Alexandra's, could feel her pain too.

"Yes, a very, very long time ago. Before..."

Melody sat on the other side of Alexandra, staring off into the forest as well. "I've heard of only the Immortals having the power to control the spirits the way you can."

Alexandra shook her head. "I have no more power than you, or even Lysander for that matter. I have only had time to better understand the spirits."

Eve shook off the faded memory. "Wait, Melody, are you saying Alexandra is an Immortal? I thought you said they all disappeared.Well, except the Spirit Leeches, but Lysander said even they are all gone now."

Melody shook her head. "No one really knew what really happened to the Immortals, and the Spirit Leeches would want to stay in hiding to avoid the Protectors. I honestly can't say that neither still exist. Alexandra?"

Alexandra nodded. "As far as I know, there are only two of us left from those long ago days. In your terms, one of us is an Immortal, the other, a Spirit Leech."

Eve flipped her hand over and grasped Alexandra's. "You're the Immortal, right? I mean, you sound nothing like how Lysander described the Spirit Leeches. You haven't tried to harm us. You're not mad."

Alexandra remained quiet. Melody took her eyes away from the forest to look at Alexandra before speaking to Eve.

"The Immortals were not really immortal. They only seemed so from their much longer lifespan, and their abilities made them seem like G.o.ds. That is why they were given that name. In the end, they still grew old and died. On the other hand, the Spirit Leeches, at the time they became cursed, stopped aging."

Alexandra sighed, giving Eve's hand a brief squeeze. "At one time I never wanted to grow up. Now I dream that one day I might. Ironic, is it not?"

None of the three spoke, instead drifting into their own thoughts as the night pa.s.sed. After a time, Eve realized she still held Alexandra's hand and gently let go.

"Alexandra, will we really find someone in there that can open Max's box?"

"Yes."

"And, you're not planning to hurt us?"

"No, Evangeline, that is not my intention."

Eve gave a curt nod. "Kay, then I'll help you get what you need. I just hope Lysander doesn't find out about you before then."

"He already knows."

Eve seemed doubtful. "Are you sure? He's not the brightest?"

"There is more to Lysander than you think. Like many, he does not show his true self. Besides, finding the Spirit Leeches is a core part of a Protector's training and the highest mandate of Lord Avram."

"Then why did he agree to come here rather than arrest you at the camp?"

Melody joined the conversation. "Because he's waiting, Eve. Haven't you noticed how Alexandra's face has paled and thinned over the past several days? She's slowed down too. Remember Lysander's story, the curse weakens an individual over time. If she does not draw energy soon, she will be too weak to fight."

"I don't know, Melody. I don't think Lysander would make the mistake of giving her the chance of attacking him before she grew too weak. Not that I'm saying you would, Alexandra."

Alexandra smiled weakly. "It is alright, Eve. I know you meant nothing by it. As for Lysander, he has his own reasons for agreeing to come. I can also a.s.sure all of you that, while I have drawn from those willing to give, I have not attacked anyone in ages. I have learned to control myself and, in order for what I seek to come true, I need things to remain that way."

Melody looked at her questioningly. "What is it that you seek, Alexandra?"

"To set things right. In order for me to explain further, we must reach the village in the forest. I only hope you believe when you see what is hidden there."

Melody stood. "In that case, you need your rest, we all do."

Alexandra stood. "Agreed."

The three walked back to the sound of Lysander and Max snoring. Finding their own spots, they fell back to sleep.

A gentle shaking awoke Max.

"Come on, Maxy. It's morning."

"What, no morning attack? You're slipping, Eve."

Eve grinned. "Don't get used to it."

Max stood and joined the others in packing their things. When they were ready, Lysander stood in front of the trees, blocking their path.

"What is it you really want in there, Alexandra?"

"You will have to wait to find out."