The sound tore through the chamber with such force that Tharionson surged to his feet, then immediately checked himself when she recoiled from him as if his movement had brought the unseen thing closer. She scrambled backward against the couch, clutching at the robe, her breath breaking into ragged gasps.
"No," she cried, her voice cracking. "No, no, no, don't open it. Don't let him look through. Please, don't let him look through."
"Mother, there is nothing here," Tharionson said, turning fully, scanning the room with every trained instinct he possessed. His Myst stirred beneath his skin, ready, searching, but he sensed nothing. No intruder. No spell. No disturbance strong enough to answer her terror.
"Look at me. Mother, look at me. You're in your chamber. You're safe."
The word safe seemed to make it worse.
Seralyne's scream broke into frantic sobbing, and she pressed her hands over her ears while shaking her head violently.
