Zann writhed on the ground, his head exploding with sounds, feelings, and images.
Once again fear, pain, and anger surged through him.
A faint voice called for help as waves splashed and rain pounded down.
Feeling seasick, Zann pressed both hands to his forehead.
"Zann!" Perda cried. "What's wrong?"
Zann squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out her voice.
The cry in his head was a little louder now, and it sounded vaguely familiar.
Who could it be? Zann tried to focus as the cry came again.
"Help me!" the person cried. "Please, someone help me before it's too late!"
Then the feelings disappeared as abruptly as they had come.
Zann sat up, sweating and breathing hard.
"Zann!" Darb was squeezing his shoulder. "Are you all right?"
"I—I think so." Zann gulped in a breath and slowly climbed to his feet.
His whole body felt shaky. "I mean, yes, I'm okay. This has happened before."
He described the mysterious Shares he'd been receiving. His friends looked confused.
"Are they Red Shares or not?" Gliss asked.
Zann shrugged. "I don't know. I can't tell who they're coming from."
"Are you sure it's not Boz, or some other Red that you know?" Darb asked.
Zann shook his head. "I checked last time.
Boz and the others contacted every Red they could think of, and nobody knew anything about the Shares."
"That's weird." Perda chewed her lower lip, looking thoughtful.
"I've never read anything about this kind of magic."
"My mom and dad think it could be a result of having all those relics close by," Zann said.
"They said the relics possess such strong and ancient magic that they might be affecting our regular magic."
"Speaking of the relics, I hope it's not Morb contacting you," Perda said half-jokingly.
"Maybe he's up to more magical tricks."
Gliss frowned at her. "It couldn't be Morb.
Wyssa made sure that he will never do magic again."
"Or anything else," Zann put in with a shudder.
"I was only joking," Perda told them. "Do you think it's—"
A shout interrupted her. Two women were hurrying toward them. They both looked excited.
"It's you, isn't it?" one woman exclaimed. "The hero kids?"
The second woman pointed at Zing. "I even recognize the dragon!" she cried. "But I forgot his name!"
For the next few minutes, Zann and his friends had to answer the women's questions.
Finally Zann made an excuse to hurry away.
"Maybe we should take a shortcut to Saffa's house," Zann said. "Let's go through the park."
He led the way. Halfway across the park, he heard voices ahead.
"Uh-oh," Gliss said with a smile. "Do you think more of our fans are looking for us?"
Just then a group of people marched into view, waving signs.
Perda's eyes widened. "Is it one of those Void rights protests we keep hearing about?" she whispered to Zann.
Zann nodded. "There are even more protests now," he said.
"A guy named Laddno took over the movement."
"Oh, I've heard about him," Gliss said.
"My parents were talking about how hard he's working to bring attention to the Void rights cause."
Zann glanced at Darb, who was staring at the ground.
Before Zann could say anything, Perda nudged him.
"Look!" she exclaimed. "Is that Jev? What's he doing in First City?"
Zann sighed. "He's here for the protests."
Jev was marching with the others, waving a colorful sign.
He spotted Zann and his friends and came over.
Zann expected him to say hi to Gliss, but Jev ignored her.
He ignored Zann too and only gave Perda a halfhearted smile.
Instead Jev's eyes were focused on Darb.
"Hey, Darb," he said in a friendly voice.
"I didn't expect to see you in First City."
Darb looked surprised. Zann knew how he felt.
Jev had always been mean to Darb and the other Voids in Swamp Bottom.
In fact, that was how Zann and Darb had become friends.
Soon after moving to Swamp Bottom, Zann had stood up to Jev when Jev was bullying Darb.
Jev shot the others a dirty look.
"You shouldn't be hanging around with Reds," he told Darb.
"Why don't you come with me? I can introduce you to some people who are working to get equal magic for all—even Voids like you."
"No thanks," Darb said. "I'd rather stay with my friends."
Jev frowned. "Suit yourself," he said. "But Laddno wants everyone to join in the struggle for equality."
Suddenly cheers came from the group. Most of the protestors were yelling Laddno's name.
Jev brightened. "He's here!" he cried. "I heard he might come today."
He smirked at Zann and Gliss. "You might want to hide your hair, you two."
Jev dashed away before anyone could respond.
Gliss looked uneasy. "Let's get out of here," she said.
"Hold on for a second." Perda stepped forward and peered over the heads of the crowd.
"I want to get a look at Laddno."
"Me too," Zann said. He and his friends stood on their tiptoes as a man strode onto a dais that someone had just conjured.
Zann recognized Laddno right away from the ads.
He had a large, square head and broad shoulders.
His deep-set eyes swept over the crowd.
"Greetings, citizens of First City!" Laddno shouted, raising both hands. "Thank you for coming today."
"Void rights!" someone in the crowd shouted.
"Banish the greedy Reds!" someone else shrieked.
The rest of the onlookers cheered loudly.
Gliss shivered. "Come on, you guys," she said. "We shouldn't be here."
This time Zann agreed. "Let's go." He grabbed Darb and Perda, and Perda grabbed Gliss.
"Zap!" Zann whispered, aiming for Saffa's house.