The infuriated scream was heard all the way through Trinan. More than one person cringed. Many others wished they could leave, but there was no escaping Trinan. No one entered. No one left. The gates were permanently guarded by soldiers, and other units stood stationed in the lands around the capitol. The safe walls had become a prison. Nearly everyone prayed for Tyrian Southerwind to arrive. He had seen sooner than anyone else just what monster lurked inside the palace.
Blaine's scream was still echoing off the throne room as she whirled away from the messenger who had brought her the news. Alphin had fallen. Betane would be next. Then Gammine. She had no illusions that all would fall. There was no stopping the tidal wave that the Kaiten Star had begun.
The messenger scrambled out of the throne room in fear for his life, but Blaine didn't notice. She stared at her hands and saw them wrinkled and gnarled, crabbed with age as merciless Time dragged at her.
"Blaine," Albanion said as he moved to her side, "this is unbecoming behavior for a lady of your quality." She whirled on him, and belatedly he finally saw the emptiness inside her eyes. Too late he saw the madness. "Blaine." For a moment, his voice regained its authority.
Her hand shot out and closed around his neck. Her power blasted down her arm and into his body and began to suck out every bit of life. "You are a weak worm," she hissed as he began to sag in her grip. "One year ago, I told you to have Tyrian Southerwind killed. Did you listen? No. Your usefulness is done, Albanion. Think of this as me saving the Kaiten Star the trouble!"
His lifeless body dropped to the floor and she stared at her suddenly perfect hands. They were smooth and flawless. Young and beautiful. She didn't have much longer. The life energy didn't last as long as time passed. She needed that Pure Relic!
The doors opened behind her and Reyu sauntered in. "Ah. I figured you'd eventually do that." He came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. His lips brushed at her nape in a falsely tender caress. "Things are not yet over, Blaine. We can find the power to match him."
"You can't even find someone to use that disgusting thing you brought. 'Pure of heart.' Feh!"
"Not just pure of heart, but powerful. And there happens to be just such a person in the Liberation Army. No doubt she will take to the field if I am there. She will be compelled to respond by the very blood in her veins."
Blaine found herself reluctantly interested. She turned away from her husband's dead body and studied Reyu. "Alright. I'm listening."
©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.
Chapter 34->
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