Gates of Sleep by Mercedes Lackey

Author:Mercedes Lackey [Lackey, Mercedes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2002-02-22T07:00:00+00:00

It was a horrible thought. And one which, as Arachne pointed out, did fit the facts.

And it would explain why the uncles and my aunt wouldn't tell me why I'd been sent away. And why the reason was never, ever brought up in those letters.

Now, Marina knew that the little whimsical creatures that her mother had described really did exist—and had lived in her garden. But just because an Elemental Master was able to work magic and see the creatures of her element, it did not follow that she was sane ... in fact, Elemental Masters had been known to become deranged by the very power that they wielded. Especially after a great stress, such as a death, an accident—or childbirth.

So what if that had happened to Alanna? Then Hugh would have wanted to get the infant Marina as far away from her as possible— he was protected against anything she might do, magically, but a baby would not be. And who better to send her to than the Tarrants, whose power could block Alanna's?

It all made hideous sense. "I have to wonder if you are right, Madam Arachne,"

she said slowly. "It does explain a number of things. In fact, it is the only explanation that fits all of the facts as I know them."

She felt a horrible guilt then; here, all this time, she had been blaming her parents for sending her away, when they were protecting her, and in the only way possible!

And those letters, filled with anguish and longing—had they come from a mother who dared not bring her child home lest she harm it? What worse heartbreak could there be?

Without Marina realizing it, Arachne had bent forward, and now she seized Marina's hand. "It is only a theory, child. Nothing more. And I know—I know—that if nothing else, your mother must have been quite well and in her full wits when they went to Italy this year. I am certain, as certain as I am of my own name, that your parents intended to bring you here after your eighteenth birthday. Everything that I have found in their papers points to that."

When I would be able to protect myself, even if mother wasn't quite right yet. She nodded. "I think, from the letters I got, that you are right."

Arachne released her hand. "I hope I haven't distressed you, child. I didn't intend to."

"I'm sure not—" Marina faltered. "But you have given me a great deal to think about."

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