Melisande should have seen it earlier, when Thorne claimed that Alcuin was here. But she had been blinded by hope, by the mention of Imriel's name. He was her only fault line, after all, something she would do well to remember. Plus, Thorne appeared lucid enough, but she well knew how deceiving appearances could be.

But just in case there was some truth, she didn't start walking away immediately. "if these other D'Angelines are really here and you actually speak to them, please tell them where I have gone." Even the damn Cassiline might be useful to her right now.