" Cal's eyes flicker, out to the trees. But he's not looking at the leaves. His gaze is in the past, to something more painful. " She killed my true mother as well. And she'll kill all of us if we let her." The words come out hard and harsh, a rusty blade to saw flesh. They taste wonderful in my mouth. " Not if I kill her first." For all his talents, Cal is not a violent person. He can kill you in a thousand different ways, lead an army, burn down a village, but he will not enjoy it. So his next words take me by surprise." When the time comes," he says, staring at me, " we'll flip a coin." His bright flame has grown dark indeed. "