"You don't know it Karen, but you've been lied to by Reginald from the beginning. He's used you and manipulated you to make sure his hold on the city remains. He's used magic on you to bind him to you and you to him. I know you can't tell. That's part of the magic. The Order's ritual is going to break his hold on the city of Kendrick. That's why they've been gathering the items they have." He walked over and stroked her hair from her face. "I'm sorry I had to drug your coffee. But, it is a war, Karen. Between this supposed 'Master of the City' and the Order of the Sacred Eye. If you go tonight, you'll be hurt or killed and I love you too much to let that happen. I'm sorry it had to be this way but once his hold on you is broken..."
His words were interrupted by the unexpected sound of the front door being unlocked and opened.
