Milantha stepped back, eyes wide with fear that she tried desperately to hide.

The slow smile spreading across her adversary's face was a good indication she wasn't succeeding. She was trapped and he knew it. She was scared and he knew it.

He was mad, and she knew it.

"Get out of my way, Shendar," she said bravely, focusing on keeping her voice steady. He can't hurt me, he can't hurt me, it's against the rules, he can't hurt me...

The words didn't bring much comfort as he lunged forward and his iron grip closed on her arm.

***

"'Lantha?" Estelle frowned, knocking on her friend's door. Iliana stood beside her, frowning as well. Milantha was never this late. Late, yes, but not this late. There was no answer. Iliana stepped past her and did something she couldn't see. Milantha's door swung open, and they stepped inside. The room was empty, the bed made.

"She went out with Sparky last night," the Loremaster stated quietly. Estelle glanced quickly at her but Iliana's face was as unreadable as always.

"Maybe we should check his room and see if she's--uh, *he's* there--maybe something happened and they had to lay low last night." She paused. "Outside the lair, you know, uh--Let's go."

Iliana shook her head and followed the slightly flustered young Raptrin up to the A level.

Iliana stepped up and knocked briskly. Something heavy hit the floor inside and after a moment the door opened, and a very sleepy-eyed, muss-haired red-head stared dully at them. His bleary eyes slid from Iliana to Estelle and back, and they could almost see him forcing his mind to process.

"Something up?" he muttered.

"Spark, you haven't seen Milantha, have you?"

"Not since we came home last night," he shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "We got in kind of late but she hasn't come to see me this morning at all."

"Did you walk her down?" Iliana wanted to know.

"No, I was going to, but she told me to go to bed. I tried to argue with her, but."

"But we all know how effective that is," Estelle finished sourly.

"I don't like this," Iliana's voice was heavy. Shockwave finally seemed to wake up a little.

"She didn't come in this morning?"

"It appears she didn't even make it to her room last night," Estelle said grimly. "Her bed hasn't been slept in." Shockwave's eyes flew wide and he suddenly slammed the door in their faces. The two women blinked at each other as various scuffling sounds could be heard from within. The door flew open and Shockwave charged out, fully dressed.

"Let's go!"