TableofContents
TitlePage
Copyright
DearReader
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
AscensionTerminology
Thankyou!
AbouttheAuthor
ListofBooks
YoucanfindCarisat...
Don'tforgetto...
RAPTURE’SEDGE1
“AWAKENING”
CARISROANE
RAPTURE’SEDGE1:TheAwakening
ByCarisRoane
Copyright©2014TwinBridgesCreationsLLC
Allrightsreserved.NopartofthiseBookmaybereproducedinwholeorinpart,scanned,photocopied,
recorded,distributedinanyprintedorelectronicform,orreproducedinanymannerwhatsoever,orby
anyinformationstorageandretrievalsystemnowknownorhereafterinvented,withoutexpresswritten
permissionofthepublisher,exceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsembodiedincriticalarticlesand
reviews.
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor'simagination
orareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,locales,orpersonslivingordeadisentirely
coincidental.
FormattingandcoverbyBellaMediaManagement.
DearReader,
WelcometothefirstinstallmentoftheRapture’sEdgeSeries,“Awakening”.Thisstoryispartofmy
GuardiansofAscensionseriesandlaunchesseveralstoriesbeginningwithWarriorDuncan,threeMilitia
Warriors,oneThirdEarthoutcastnamedMerl,andfinally,Luken,ourgentlegiantfromtheoriginal
series.Forbooks1,2and3,bothEndelleandLukenplayaprominentrolealongwithDuncanand
Rachel.
Ichosetocontinuetheseriesinanepisodicform,becauseitwasthebestwaytotelltheongoingsaga
ofallmyhunkyWarriorsoftheBloodandthoseMilitiaWarriorsadvancingto“What-bee”power.
RAPTURE’SEDGE“Awakening”comesrightafterTHEDARKENING,astorythatletsusseethe
romancebetweenWarriorSamuelandhisbreh,Vela.
You’llfindaterminologyappendixattheendofthebookincaseyouwanttolookupthemeaningsof
afewwordshereandthere.
“Awakening”openswithDuncancaughtinatrancebyapowerfulThirdEarthascenderbythenameof
Yolanthe.You’llbegettingtoknowthiswomanwelloverthenextfewepisodessinceshe’stheoneintent
onkillingRachel.
Thebreh-hedden(vampiremate-bonding)takeschargeofDuncanandRachelasithasforall
previouseightwarriorssofar:Kerrick,Marcus,Antony,Jean-Pierre,Thorne,Leto,Gideon,andSamuel.
AndnowDuncan.
BriefSynopsisofAwakening
He’sawarriordeepinhisbones,butshewantsonlypeace…
Fordecades,WarriorDuncanhashadanon-again,off-againrelationshipwithawomanopposedto
hiswarriorlifestyle.WhenRachelshowsupinhislifeagain,hewantstokeephisdistance,butthe
infamousbreh-hedden,themyth-that-isn’t-amyth,bearsdownonhimkeepinghiminaperpetual
caveman-likestate.Howishesupposedtomakewarwhenhe’sfallinginlovewithawomanwhoonly
wantspeace?
Rachelcan’tbelieveDuncanisbackinherlife.Shespentyearsgettingoverhim,overallthefights
theyhadaboutherdislikeofthewarandhisloveofbeingaMilitiaWarrior.Theproblemis,shenever
stoppedlovinghimandthetrancehe’sstuckinhasheroutofhermindwithworry.Whenthebreh-hedden
crashesdownonher,shewantsonlyonething:Duncan…inherbed…now.Buthowisshesupposedto
staywithamanwhorepresentswhatshehatesmostabouttheirascendedvampireworld?
Enjoy!
Forthelatestreleases,hottestpics,andcoolestcontests,besuretosignupformynewsletter!!!
http://www.carisroane.com/contact-2/
ComingSoon:Episode#2ofRAPTURE’SEDGE,thecontinuingsagaoftheGuardiansof
Ascension,againfeaturingDuncanandRachel.Andwe’regoingtoThirdEarth!Checkout
RAPTURE’SEDGEonmywebsite.
ComingSoon:Book#7oftheBloodRoseSeries,MastyrZane’sstory:EMBRACETHEWIND!!!
BesuretocheckouttheBloodRoseTalesBoxSet–TRAPPED,HUNGER,andSEDUCED--
shorterworksforaquick,sexy,satisfyingread.Formoreinformation:
CHAPTERONE
Lovebattles
Againsttheunknown.
CollectedProverbs–BeatriceofFourth
Duncan’scaptorlaiditout.“AllIwantisyourlover’scurrentlocation.Onceyougivethattome,I’ll
letyouwakeupandwecanmoveforward.ButIreallydoneedRacheltotakeabigstepback.”
Rightoveracliff,nodoubt.
Duncanwasundernoillusion;thewoman,Yolanthe,wantedRacheldead.She’dsaidsomorethan
onceintheearlypartofthisbizarrecaptivity.Softeningherwordchoicedidn’tchangetheintention.
Caughtinatwo-weektrancehecouldn’tescape,Duncanonceagaintriedtomakesenseofwhathe
wasseeing.ThoughheknewhewaslyinginahospitalbedonSecondEarth,hewasstaringatasnow
leopardthathiscaptorheldonashort,blackleatherleash.Buthedidn’tknowhowhecouldseeeitherthe
leopardorthebeautifulred-hairedwomanorherrust-and-creammarblehome.
Andhowthehellcouldhebeintwoplacesatonce?
Although,hisguttoldhimhewasn’t,notreally.ItwasjustsomekindofThirdEarthpower,amental
distortionmaybe.Yolanthehadcalleditavoyeurwindow,butaThirdDimensionvariety,notthesimpler
kindfoundonSecond.Endelle,theleaderofSecondEarth,hadavoyeurwindow,soheknewtheconcept
wasviable.
Fortwoweeksnow,duringhiswakinghours,thetrancehadkepthimfocusedonlyonYolanthe.
Hewanteddesperatelytocomeoutofthiscaptivementalstate,butnothinghe’dtriedhadworked.
Thewomanhadpower,morethanhecouldfathom,whichwaswhyhecouldseeherandtalktoher
whilelyingproneonabedinMetroPhoenixTwo.ShewassomekindoffreakishprincessonThird
Earth,butmorethanthathewasstillpiecingtogether.
Whenhe’dfirstcomeunderYolanthe’sspell,orwhateverthehellthiswas,she’dwornherhairin
thickcurlshangingdownherback.Maybeshewastryingoutanewlook,butfornowshe’dboundupher
curlyredhairinabouttwodozenthinbraids,wrappingthemaroundherheadinanalmosthaphazardway.
Theeffectwasbothuniqueandunsettlingbecauseatfirstglanceitlookedlikeshehadsnakesforhair.
Shewasbeautifulinastrangeway,withverylightredlashesandbrows,andpaleblueeyes.Her
whiteskinwasflawless,notasinglefreckleinsight.Thoughtall,lookingtobeaboutsix-foot-one,the
womanneededsomemeatonherbones.Sheusedadarkpurplelipstick,borderingonblackthat
emphasizedherhabitualpallor.ShekepthershortnailsinthesameGothicshade.
Ofcourse,she’dpromisedtoreleasethetranceifonlyhe’dtellheronesmallpieceofinformation:
whereRachellived.
Sheharpedonherthemenow.“Please,Duncan,justtellmewhereIcanfindRachel.Ihaveexcellent
plansforyouthatwillonedayinvolverulingalargeportionofthisplanet.Andsharingtheinformation
wouldgoalongwaytoconvincingmethatwecanworktogetherasateam.”
ShehadtheThirdEarthdarkeninggridoperatorshuntingforRachel,buttheprocesswashit-and-miss,
andcouldtakeweeksaccordingtowhatshe’dtoldhiminpreviousconversations.Hedidn’tunderstand
muchyetaboutthegrid,butitranthroughthenether-spacebetweendimensionsandcouldmoveThird
ascendersdowntoSecondandtheotherwayaround.Allhighlyillegal.
Apparently,ThirdEarthwreckerswereusedtobustingholesinthegridtogainaccesstoSecond.
Noneofitwasgood.
AndrightnowYolanthewasusingthegridtosearchforRachel.Whichmeant,itwasjustamatterof
time.YolanthewouldonedayfindRachel,thenwhat?
Butlikehellhe’dgiveupRachel’slocation,oranyoneelse’sforthatmatter.He’ddiefirst.“ThoughtI
shouldwarnyouthatyou’reprobablyinforalongwait.”
Shesmiled,chucklingsoftly.“Iknowhowtowait.”
Yeah,hegotthatabouther.She’dsharedafewpertinentdetails.Shewasnine-hundred-yearsold,for
one,andhadbeenwaitingforDuncanfordecades,fromthetimeshe’dhadherfirstvisionabouthim.
Unfortunately,sheneededhimunencumberedbyRachel.
He’dtriedtoexplainthathison-again,off-againrelationshipwithRachelhadbeenoffforquitesome
time,thathisex-girlfriendwashardlyathreat.Buthisexplanationhadn’tmovedYolantheevenaninch.
Rachelmustdie.
HowmanytimeshadheheardYolanthespeakthoseexactwords?
Yolanthepacedandtheleopardmovedwithher.
Sheworealonglightgreensilkgownandakindofelegant,sleevelessover-gowninpastelbluesilk
thathadashorttraindraggingovertherust-and-creammarblefloor.Evenifhehadn’theardherservants
addressingherrepeatedlywithanobsequious‘yes,Princess’,hewouldhaveknownherasroyaltybyher
movementsalone.
Whathecouldn’tfigureoutwaswhatshewantedwithhim,aMilitiaWarriorfromSecondEarth.He
mightunderstandifhe’dbeenapowerfulWarrioroftheBloodlikeLukenorZacharius,buthewasn’t.
Sure,hehadacoupleofemergingpowers,visions,forone.Butintermsoftheupperechelonofability,
YolanthewouldhavebeenbetteroffkidnappingaWhat-Beeinstead.
Whilehewasawake,shekepthimwithherliketheleopard,alwaysatherside,movingfromroomto
roomsothathe’dseenthepalaceandherextensivegardensrepeatedly.
Duncanfeltliketheleopard,likehewasonasimilarleashjustastightandcommanding.Andasa
manusedtodoingandfighting,thislevelofinactivitykepthismindonedge.
Theonlytimehe’dseenYolantheevenalittleruffledwaswhenaservanthadrushedintellingherthat
herfatherneededtoseeheratonce.Eventheservanthadseemedupset.
She’drisenandputahandtoherchest,asignthatshewasdistressed;fatherissues,maybe.She’dleft
quicklyonlyshehadn’ttakenthevoyeurwindowwithher,buthadlefthimtostareatanemptyliving
roomforhours.
Thoughappearingfullycomposedwhenshereturned,Duncanfeltcertainshe’dbeeninconsiderable
pain.Herfacewasemptyofexpression,buttherewasacertaintensioninthewayshewalkedthathadn’t
beentherebefore.Hedecidedthewomanwouldbegoodatpoker;shehidwhatshefeltreallywell.
Inthatsense,hecouldrelatetoher,becauseheworkeddamnhardnottoletanyonegetagoodglimpse
behindhismask.Butthenhe’dhadallemotionaldisplaysbeatoutofhimduringastrictchildhood.
Raisedsolelybyanabusivefather,hisinternalwallswerealmostascement-likeasYolanthe’s.
Hell.Maybetheywereworse.
Rachel,thewomanheconsideredthelove-of-his-fucked-up-life,hadoncetoldDuncanthathecould
buildawallfasterthananymanshe’deverknown.
Butthenhe’dbeenwell-trained.
Yolanthestoppedpacingandmovedclosetolookathim.“Whydon’tyoujusttellmewhatIneedto
know?Rachelistheonlythingthatstandsbetweenus.”
Again,herefused.
Thoughhehadn’tbeentoRachel’shomeonMortalEarth,he’dheardshe’dmovedtotheSeattleOne
Colonybecauseofthesimpler,moreorganiclifestyle.“Sorry,Yolanthe.Notgivinganythingup,not
tonight,notever.”
“I’msorrytotellyouthis,Duncan,butI’vecometoadecision.Yourrefusaltogivemethe
informationIrequirehasmadeitnecessary.”Shedrewadeepbreathandliftedherchin.“I’mgoingto
havetodoamind-diveandit’sgoingtohurt.Alot.”
Hepokedthebear.“Isthathowyourfatherhurtsyou?Doingmind-dives?”
Sheliftedherrightbrowaquarterofaninch.
So,he’dsurprisedher.
Shepinchedherlipstogether,thensaid,“You’renottospeakofmyfather,ever.Doyouhearme?
BecauseIhavechosenyoutoworkbesideme,Iintendtotreatyouwithgreatrespect.”Shecuppedher
handsinfrontofher,palmsup,andslappedthemtogethergentlyforemphasis.“ThisonethingIwill
requireofyou,however,youmustnotdisparagemyfather’sname.Ifyoudisobey,Iwon’thesitateto
performaviolentmind-diveandruinyourcapacitytoreasonforever.Noonewouldbeabletohelpyou
thenandyou’dbelefttorotinthathospitalroom.”
Hewasright;DaddywastheissueforthisThirdEarthbitch-princess.
“Andnow,I’mgoingtoretrievetheinformationIneed.”
Duncanhadneverhadanyonedoamind-divebefore,butfromwhathe’dheardfromthosewho’d
beenonthereceivingend,itwasextremelyunpleasant.
Hebracedhimselfasshestretchedahandtowardhimandsplithismindopenlikeasharpknifetoa
cantaloupe.
He’dmadewarfordecades.He’dbeenbruised,slicedup,hadbonesbroken,andgenerallymaimed
inabouteverywaypossible,soheknewwhatpainwas.
Butwhathefeltrightnow,asthewomanpiercedhismind,wasbeyondanythinghe’dever
experiencedinhislife.Intensepainrippedthroughhim,settingeverynerveinhisbodyonfire.
Asshedove,hiswholelifeopeneduptoYolanthe,whichmeantverysoonshe’dfindhismemories
aboutRachel’smovetoSeattleOne.
Somehow,hehadtowarnRachel.
~~~
Rachelstoodinhergarden,thetipofhershovelinthegravelwalkway,herarmswrappedaroundthe
woodhandle.She’dtriedeverythingshecouldthinkoftohelpbringDuncanoutofhistrance.She’d
talkedtohim,weptoverhim,andyelledathim.She’drubbedhisarmsandlegsbriskly,she’duseda
combinationofresonanceandtelepathytotrytogeteventhesmallestresponsefromhimmind-to-mind,
andshe’devenhadhimputhiminanicebath.Butnothinghadworked.
Horace,theirmostpowerfulhealeronSecondEarth,hadbroughthisteamintoworkonDuncan
repeatedly.He’devenusedFiona,matedtoWarriorJean-Pierre,whocouldamplifyhispower.Butnot
eventhathadmadeadentinhiscurrent,inexplicablesituation.
Hewashealthyenoughgivenhe’dhadacatheterfortwoweeks,afeedingtube,an
IV
forhydration
andanotheronethatcarriedherblood.She’ddonatedeveryday.
Nostonehadbeenleftunturned.
Yetnothinghadworked.
Shewaspastthetearsnowandfeltalmostcoldwhenshethoughtofhim.Herfrustrationhadstolen
hercompassionbecauseherloveandfearforhimhadaboutkilledher.
Andshethoughtshe’dbeenoverhim.
Hah.Muchchanceofthat.
Twoweeksago,WarriorSamuelandhiswoman,Vela,hadrescuedDuncanfromaThirdEarthtorture
cell.SomemaniaccalledSharavhadabductedhimfromtheNewRiverBorderlandandappliedevery
viletechniqueknowntohumanandascendedvampirekindinanattempttobreakDuncandown.
He’dalmostdiedintheprocess.Buttogether,FionaandHoracehadbroughthimbackfromthebrink.
Afterward,thoughhe’dbeenbroughtoutofharm’swayphysically,he’dbeenleftinatrancethatnot
eventhepowerfulEndelle,nine-thousand-years-oldandtheleaderofSecondEarth,hadbeenableto
pierce.
So,Rachelhaddonatedrepeatedly.Somethingshe’ddonejustfifteenminutesago,inanefforttokeep
Duncanalive.NowshewashereinherMortalEarthhometoworkinhergarden.
She’dbeensolostinthought,however,thatshe’dforgottentochangeoutofherdress,whichmadeher
smile.Sheglanceddown.Shelovedthisparticulardress,asoftwhitecottonthatranmid-calf.Duncan
hadalwayslikedherindresses.
Herthroattightened.He’dkissherandsay,‘Easyaccess.’Hewassuchaguy,butshe’dlovedit.
Duncanhadalwaysknownhowtosexherup,thenbringhertoaroaringclimax.
Andhereshewas,standingonthegravelpathofhergardenholdinghershovelpointdownand
wearinglavenderleatherballetflats.
Herheadhurtaswell.Thepersistentachewasdrivinghercrazy.Sheknewthesourceandthatticked
heroffbecauseshe’dpromisedherselfnever,never,togetinvolvedwithanythinghavingtodowith
DuncanWallace,orMilitiaWarriors,orthewareveragain.
Nowshefeltlikeshewasbeingsuckedbackintoarelationshipwiththemanwhocouldbuildinternal
wallsfasterthanhecouldblink.
Tobefair,shehadherownissuesandnodoubtconsistentlyoverreactedtoDuncan’srepetitiveefforts
tocreatedistance.Butshereallywantedtohelp,because–andherewasherabsolutehardestpersonal
truth–shelovedDuncan.
Sherestedhercheekontopofherfoldedhands,theshovelwigglingwiththeweight.Shewishedshe
couldhelpmorethananything,butatthesametimeresentedtheinterferenceinherlife.
Foralongtimenow,she’dworkedtowardbuildingalifeforherselfapartfromthewar.She’dlanded
intheMortalEarthcolonyoutsideofSeattleOne,perfectlycontentwithhersmallwoodsyhomeandthe
extensivegardenthatbackeduptothePacificNorthwestCascadeMountainforest.
Havingaddedamicroclimate,shewasabletogrowwatermelons,tomatoes,andeveryotherfruitand
vegetableunderthesun,atanytimeoftheyear.Theco-directorofthecolony,Mei-Amadi,wasn’texactly
happyaboutthemicro-climate,butshedidn’trejectthefreshtomatoeseither.
RachelknewshewassomethingofahypocritesincesherefusedtousemostofherSecondEarth
powersonprinciple.Butwhenitcametohergarden,shecouldn’tresist.
Thepaininthecenterofherheadbegantothrob.
Thensuddenly,sheheardDuncan–orthoughtsheheardhim–callingtohertelepathically.
Itwasveryfaint.Rachel.You’reintrouble.Shewantsyoudead.
Aterribleshiverwentthroughher.Duncan?
Butjustlikebefore,eachtimeshe’dtriedtoreachhimtelepathically,shereceivedsomekindofstatic
inresponse.
Andwhoexactlywantedherdead?
~~~
Duncancouldn’tcryout,couldn’tmove,couldn’tbreathe.
HehurtintothebowelsofhisbodyanddeepintotheseatofhissoulwhereYolanthesearchedthrough
hismemories,histhoughts,hisbeliefs,everythingthathewasasaman,evenwhathe’dsufferedasa
child.
She’dpausedoverthehorrorofhisfather’steachinglessons,theonesbeatintoeveryfiberofhis
being.He’devenfelthergrowverystillforamomentandthepainhadactuallylessened.
Butthatreprievehadn’tlastedlong.
Thewomansearchedandsearched.
Whiledoinghermind-diveandbecausehervoyeurwindowhaddrawnhisvisioninwardatthesame
time,hesawwhatshesaw,allthememoriesandtheglowofsomethingrust-colored.Hefinally
understoodthatthiswasthemeansbywhichYolantheretainedcontrolofhim:she’dformedanextremely
powerful,ThirdEarthmindlinkwithhim.
Ifwhatheunderstoodwastrue–onlythecreatorofthelinkcouldremoveit–thenhewasscrewed.
Shestumbledacrossanothermemory,onethathe’dforgottenbecauseithadtakenplacewhenthat
bastard,Sharav,hadbeentorturinghim.
Yolanthehadbeenthere.She’dvisitedhisstonecell,watchinghimwithherpaleblue,predatoryeyes.
“He’llgiveussomuch,mylove.”
Sharavhadgonetoher,kissingheronthelips.“Healreadyhas.”
SomehowDuncanknewthatSharavwasreferringtosex,thatthecouplehadusedhissufferingtoget
themselvesoff.Ragebegantoboilthatonceagainhe’dbeenatthemercyofpowerfulascenderswith
vile,cruelnatures.He’dgrownupunderthepunishingthumbofhisfather,Sharavhadtorturedhim,and
nowhewastrappedinatrance.
Tohissurprise,Yolantheseemedsuddenlydistressed,maybethatshe’dinadvertentlyallowedDuncan
toseethosememories.Shereverseddirectionandbegantoleavehismind.Thistime,thepainbecameso
severethathedisappearedintothevoidofunconsciousness.
Whenhecameto,Yolanthestoodnearawarrior-typewithlong,blackhairandthreebraidshanging
downeithersideofhisdarkface.
Herreddishbrowrosethefamiliarquarter-inch.“So,thegridhasfoundRachelatlast?Ijustsearched
throughhismemoriesandcouldn’tfindarecentdwellingonSecondEarthatall.Iknowhelovesthe
woman,butapparentlytheyhaven’tbeentogetherforsometime.So,whereisshe?”
“MortalEarth.TheSeattlearea.AhiddencolonyofSecondEarthascenders,whichisverywell
shielded.”
“Well,thatwouldexplainwhyit’stakenthislong.”
Duncan’smindhurtsobadlythathecouldbarelyfocus.Butheforcedhimselftoconcentratebecause
somewhereinthemuddlethatwashishead,heknewtheywerespeakingaboutRachel.
Oh,God,they’dfoundher.
Hisheartbegantorace.Despitethetrance,hewasconnectedtohisbodyandcouldfeelthecatheter
andthetubes,everythingthatwaskeepinghimalive.
HehadtogettoRacheltosaveher.
“SendyourbestwreckingcrewthroughtheMortalEarthdarkeninggrid.Nooneevergoestherethese
daysandthegridwon’tbewatchedoratleastifyouarediscovered,you’llbebackbythenandsafe.”
“Yourwillismine,Princess.”Hebowed,onefisttohischest,thenvanishedinanabruptfold.
Duncan’schestfeltcrushed.Rachelwoulddieinthenextfewminutesifhedidn’tfigurethisout.
Heforcedhimselftocalmdown,tothink.
Herecalledtheglowingrust-coloredemberdeepwithinhissoul:themind-link.
Onahunch,heretracedYolanthe’spath,divingdeep.Ithurtlikeholyhellbuthedidn’tcare.Hehad
tosaveRachelandtheonlywayhecouldsethimselffreewastofindthatlinkandseverit.Hedidn’t
knowifitwaspossible,buthehadtotry.
Thetripprobablyonlytookafewseconds,butfeltlikeaneternity.Whenhereachedtheglowing
emberthatindicatedthelink,hesummonedeveryounceofhispreternaturalpowerandbegantoworkon
thelink,poundingitwithwavesofhisessentialvampirepower.
Thelightbegantowaverandhefeltthedifferenceimmediately,thatatleastforthismoment,hewas
free.
Hewasfree.
Hedidn’twait,butflewbackupthroughhismind,ignoringthesearingpainandsureenough,the
voyeur’swindowwasgoneandhewasinthehospital.
Hesatup,butbecamesodizzythathefloppedbackdownonthebed.Slowly,hepulledthefeeding
tubeoutofhisnose,gaggingandsputtering.
SaveRachel.
Heeasedhimselfbackupanddrewthetubeoutofhispenis,wincingthewholetime.Hethenjerked
both
IV
soutofhisarms.
Hedroppedtherailingandrolledoutofbed.Hewouldhavefallenexcepthewasableatthelast
secondtograbthesiderailing.
Hewhisperedtohimself,hisvoiceraw,“Comeon,youfucker,getgoing.”
Oncemore,hesummonedeverylastbitofhispreternaturalpower,focusingonRachelandher
belovedgarden.Andjustlikethat,hefoldedtoMortalEarthlandingafewfeetfromwhereshestood
withhershovel.Thecolony’salarmsshriekedbecausehehadn’tusedtheirlandingplatforms.
“Rachel?”Hisvoicebarelyworked.
Sheturnedtowardhim,stunned.“Duncan?”
Thedizzinessreturnedandhefelthimselffallingbackward.
~~~
RacheldroppedhershovelandrantoDuncan,justafewfeetaway.Hehadbloodspattersonhis
hospitalgownandhelookedaspaleasdeath.“Duncan,whathappened?Howdidyougethere?”
Shekneltbesidehimandliftedhishead,cradlinghiminherarms.Hiseyesrolled.She’dneverseen
himthisweakbefore.“Duncan,please.”
Heblinked.“Rachel.Wreckers.ApacheJunctionTwo.Now.”
Rachelheardafaint,distantrumbling,asoundshedidn’trecognize,butshesuspectedtheywere
wreckers.She’dheardthestories;ThirdEarthwarriorsthatworkedtheirdarkeninggrid.Herheart
slammedaroundinherchest.
Wreckers.Here?
Therumblinggrewstronger.
Everyinstincttoldhertogetthehelloutofthere.AndwhenDuncanhadsaidApacheJunctionTwo,
sheknewhemeantMilitiaWarriorHeadquartersonSecondEarth.
Despitethatshewasbreakingcolonyprotocolbynotheadingtothelandingplatformsfirst,she
focusedonMilitiaHQandbeganthefold.Atthesamesplit-second,theairinfrontofherexploded.She
caughtaglimpseofseveralpowerfulwarriors,long-braidsnexttotheirfaces,shotgunsinhand.
Theyaimedatherandfired.
~~~
Endellelovedherscorpionbelt.She’dpaidafortunetohavethestingingcreaturescastinmetaland
linkedtogether.Shedonnedherfavoriteblackbustier,theonethatsenthergirlsintothestratosphereand
hadallthemeneitherstaringslack-jawedorpurposelylookingelsewhere.
Eitherway,shelovedthereaction.Keepingeveryoneoff-centerwasabigpartofherstrategyfor
managingallthewarriorsaroundher.
Herthonghadgottentwisted,soshetookamomenttoadjustthedamnthing.
“Charming,Endelle.”
Oh,hell,she’dforgottenthatMerlreclinedonherbedbehindher.He’dbecomethemostrecent
additiontoherretinue,morelikeacourtjesterthananythingelserightnow.He’dhelpedWarriorSamuel
andVelapullDuncanoutofThirdEarth.
Nowhewashere,inherbedroom,watchinghergetdressed.
Sheturnedtowardhim,liftingafinelyplucked,archedbrow.“Youtrywearingthisshitandseehow
manytimesyou’repluckingatyourass-hairstryingtogetmorecomfortable.”
Merllaughed.Hehadalotofbeautifulwhiteteethwithapairoffangstodiefor,whichwasjustone
ofthemanythingsshelikedabouttheman.“Thenwhydoyouwearthem?”heasked.
Sheglanceddownatthetriangleofsheerblackfabric,thenturnedtocheckherselfoutinthemirror.
“Becausemypussylookssoprettybehindthisthinlayerofblacksee-throughfabric.Don’tyouthink?”
SheturnedinMerl’sdirection.Withtheintentofdrivinghimcrazy,shewavedherhandandaddeda
blackgarterbeltwithsmallredcherriesembroideredacrossthetop.Anotherwave,andshenowwore
sexyblackfishnetstockings.
Merl,who’dbeenlyingonhisside,rolledontohisback,groaning.“Youhavemeinapermanent
woodedstate,youknow.”
“Aw,toobad.Ifeelsosad.”
Again,helaughed.Shehadthefeelingshe’dbroughtasmucheasetohislifeashisabsurdityhad
broughttohers.
Sheturnedtofacethefull-lengthmirroroncemore.Sheneededtogetamoveon.Shehadaten
o’clockwithanemissaryfromCOPASS,thatridiculousgoverninggroupthathadn’tbotheredtocheckthe
acronymwhenithadcreatedandloggeditsofficialname:CommitteetoOverseetheProcessof
AscensiontoSecondSociety.Theydidlittlemorethancop-each-other’s-assesanyway,thoughthey
workedhardtomakeherlifemiserable.
Afterthat,shehadateleconferencewithThorne,thenamassageateleven.Shewouldneedthe
massageafterThornetoldherjusthowbadlythewaragainstthethreegeneralswasgoing.Thornehada
permanentbaseinNorthAfrica,runninghiscommandfromthere.Though,heoftenfoldedtoherpalaceto
checkonhistechcrewintheCommandCenter.
Sofar,hiswholedamnarmywasupshitcreek.
Shewavedherhandagain,lostthestockingsandthegarterbelt,anddonnedapairofsnugcapris
pantswithacheetahpatterningoldandblack.Anotherwaveandherfeetwereencasedinthemost
exquisitestilettosmadeofgoldmeshandeachdanglingwithabouttwodozensmallmetalscorpions.She
lovedthesoftjangletheshoesmadewhenshewalked.
Wrappingthebeltaroundherwaist,shesmiledthinkingshewasreadytomeettheCOPASSemissary.
Merlcalledtoherfromthebed.“Doyoulikemyshirt?”
Themanhadagreatvoiceandshesuspectedthatifsheeverdidallowhimbetweenherlegs,he’duse
thatvoicelacedwithanexquisiteresonanceandmakehercome.Hedidn’thaveasdeepavoiceas
Duncan–poorbastard,stillinhistrance–butanytimeMerlwhisperedinherear,damnifshedidn’tfeel
somechillsandthrillsinjusttherightplaces.
“Whataboutyourshirt?”sheasked,turningtofinallymakeeye-contact.Whenshesawthathewas
nowbare-chestedandcircledhisnippleswithhisfingers,sherolledhereyes.
Hegrinned.“Admitit,youlikemybody.”
Endellesighed,heavily,becausethemanwasright.Shedidlovehisstupid-ass,muscular,oh-so-hot,
warriorphysiqueandshewantedherhandsalloverhim.Shewantedtosuckonsomethingsohardthat…
Sheclosedhereyes.Shehadtostopallthisfreakingnonsenseorshe’ddowhatsheknewshe
shouldn’tdo;she’dhaveherwaywithMerlandprobablykeephimtieduppermanentlyinherbedroom.
AndforallofMerl’steasingways,sheknewthat’sexactlywhathewantedaswell.
ComingfromThirdEarth,hehadaboatloadofpower.Assoonasshe’dmethim,she’dusedoneof
hermoreadvancedgiftsandhaddoneaquickinventoryofhisabilities.
Herresistancetousinghimtosatisfyherneedswasprettysimple.FromthetimethatWarriorKerrick
hadfoundhisvampiremateinAlison,Endellehadcometounderstandthatthosewarriorsnearestherhad
beenchosentohelpher.Whetherbyahigherpowerortheluckofthedraw,eachwouldgainabonded
mate,orbreh,andahelluvalotmoreessentialpower.
Eachmanwasonatracktorunheadlongintolove,forshecouldcallthebreh-heddennothingelse.
SheshookherheadatMerl.Stillonhisback,henowpressedhisleathersdownaroundhiscrotch.
Hismassiveerectionranthefull-lengthofhiszipperandsheclenchedsohardbetweenherlegsthatshe
almostcame.
Sheclosedhereyesforamoment,andtookseverallong,deepbreaths.
ButMerltookadvantageofhersexed-upstate.Hemovedinclosebehindher,wrappingherupinhis
powerfularms.Withhispantsstillon,hepushedwhatwashardbetweenherbutt-cheeks.
“Letmegiveyourelief,Endelle,”hewhispered,rightbehindherear.“IcanfeelyourneedandIcan
smellyoursex.YouknowI’ddothisright.”
Shemightaswelltellhimthetruth.“Iknowyouwould.”
Hedrewthewordsoutslowlyashesaid,“Then…letme…pleasureyou.”Withhisrighthand,he
dippedlowandcuppedher.Hebegantomassage.
Shit.
Butshecaughthishand,forcinghimtostop.“No.Iwantto,butyou’reheadedtowardsomething,my
friend.Icanfeelit.Otherwise,Iwouldhavejumpedyourbonesthesamedayyoushowedupwith
SamuelandVela.”
Heslidhishandaway,butrestedhisforeheadagainstthebackofherneck.“Fuck.”
“Sorry,no.”
Hechuckled.“Youmakeme,laugh,youknow.”
“Samehere.”
Hereleasedherbutthat’swhenthedizzinesshitEndelle.Shereachedoutwithherhandsandgrabbed
airthentoppledtothefloor,rollingontoherback.
Inthedistance,shecouldhearMerlcallingtoher,askingherwhatwaswrong.Butshecouldn’tspeak.
Herbackarched.
Shedidn’tknowwhatthehellwashappeningtoher.Hermindfeltinvaded,asthoughsomeforce
outsideofherwaspushingheatandpowerintoherbrain.
Thentheimagesbegantoroll.
Holyfuckingshit,shewashavingavision!
Sheneverhadvisions.
ThefirstwasofLukenbattlingasshe’dseenhimlookwhenhefoughtdeathvampires,whichwas
usuallysevenoreightatatime.
Noonelookedmoregloriousinbattle,notevenThorne,theacknowledgedheroofthemall.
ButLuken,withhismassiveshoulders,armsandpecs,histhickmuscledthighs,hisblondhairand
blueeyes,wasaNordicGodfrommythology.Whenhedonnedbattlegearandwieldedhisswordtofight
hardonbehalfofSecondEarth,hehadnoequal.
Butintheserollingimages,shecouldseedeathvampirescomingoutofthesky,moreandmoreand
more,descendingonhim.
Thesteelofhisswordflashedinthenightsky,sparkingwithfire.
Hefoughtlikeagod,whirlingintheair,movingfasterandfaster,attimesseemingtodisappear.The
landbehindhimwasmountainousandstormyandadistantridgewasonfire.
Shefeltwhatwascoming,andwatchedasatleastadozenThirdEarthdeathvampiresarrivedtojoin
thebattle.
Lukenwouldn’tstandachance.ThirdEarthdeathvampireshadtremendouspower.
Hefoughtvaliantly,butthenumbersoverwhelmedhimandabladecaughthimfrombehind.Hearched
andfell,hislightbluewingsineffectiveashebeganplummetingtoearth.
Therewasnowaytosavehim.
Herheartachedashedisappearedintothelandbelow.
Inthevision,sheremainedhighintheskysuspendedasthedeathvampirescelebrated,roaringinto
theheavens.Theywereincrediblybeautifulwiththeirpale,faintlybluishcomplexions,eachfeatureeven,
andtheirwingsaglossyblack.
Withinthevision,shefollowedthevampires,travelinghundredsofmiles.Shesawalternating
landscapesofwastelands,ridgesoffire,andtheearth’sgreatnaturalbeauty.Sometimesacitywould
appearandagreatstonewall.
ThiswasThirdEarth.She’dheardtalesofit,butshe’dneverseenit.Thedimensionhadbeenclosed
offfromalltheotherearthsforalongtime.
SheflewwiththedeathvampiresuntilshereachedwhathadtobeChicagoThreeonlyitwasasmall
stone-builttown,likesomethingfromMedievalEngland.
Alargecastledominatedthelakeshore,beautifullywroughtwithturretsandspires,amoatanda
drawbridge.
Thedeathvampiresflewintooneoftheupperbalconies,butshewasdrawnacrossthebridge,over
themoatandthoughavastcourtyard.Massivedoorsopenedandshemovedintowhatsheknewtobea
throneroom.
Thevisionpausedasthoughwaitingforsomething.Finallyamanappeared,oneshedespisedbeyond
anyshehadknowninherentirelife.HewascalledChustaffusandhewastheonlymantohaveevertaken
Endelleagainstherwill.
Hewalkedswiftlythroughtheroomandshefollowedhim.Whatthecastlelackedinmodernstructure,
afull-blownwarroommadeupforwitheveryelectronicdevicemanhadcreatedinanydimension.
Shehoveredintheairatthebackofhiscommandcenterandwatchedasthemonitorsshowednothis
world,butSecondEarth.Sherecognizedthethreetheatersofwar.
Threeothermenwerethere,allwarriortough.SheknewthemasChustaffus’ssons,allmadeinhis
image.Chustaffusputhishandsontheshouldersoftwoofthem.“Andwe’resureDuncanisdeadatlast?”
“Heis,father,”thetallestsaid.
“ThenletthefinalassaultonSecondEarthbegin.”Chustaffus’shard,brutalvoicecommandedthe
room.
Eachmonitorsuddenlyfilledwithwhatlookedlikesmokeatfirstglance.Endellesoonrealizedshe
waslookingatthousandsuponthousandsofdeathvampiresflyingintoeachofthreetheatersofwaron
SecondEarth.
Overthenextfewminutes,shewatchedherarmiesovercomeandslaughtered.Bombsexplodedin
constantsuccessionaswell.
Thoughtime-elapsedinthevision,theassaultwentonforhours.
OtherimagespassedthroughthemainmonitorasshewatchedthephysicaldecimationofMetro
PhoenixTwo,thenextendingtoeverymajorcityintheworld.
ThevisionshiftedandinaParisTwocastle,shewatchedastheroyaltyofherworldpaidfealtyto
Chustaffuswhosatonthethrone.
Inthevision,sheappearedaswell,boundinchains,enhancedwithChustaffus’spowersothatshe
couldn’tescape.“Andyou,Endelle,willbelongtomeforaverylongtime.”
Justasshethoughtthenightmarishimageswerecomingtoanend,shefeltahandonhershoulder
withinthevision.Turning,shesawDuncanwhonoddedsomberly.“YoumustsendmetoThird.The
futureisn’tfixed.Youmustletmetry,aswellasLuken.”
Finally,thevisiondriftedaway.
NeverinEndelle’slong-livedlifehadshehadavisionofanykind.Shewasn’tmadeofSeermaterial.
Yet,she’djustseenthefutureofherworldlaidoutforher:Luken’sfateappearedtobeginaterrible
sequenceofevents,endingalmostsimultaneouslywiththedestructionofherarmiesandthemajorcities
ofSecondEarth.
Endellewasn’taweeper,butasshelayonthefloor,goddamtearsstreamedfromhereyesandinto
herhair.
IttookheralongtimetorealizethatMerlkneltbesideherandheldherrighthandinbothofhis.
Whenshefinallyshiftedtolookathim,hewasfrowning.“Whathappened?”heasked.Hereached
downandwipedatthetearsonherface.“Didyouhaveavision?”
“Yes.”
“Whatdidyousee?”
Allshecoulddoforalongmomentwasshakeherheadslowlybackandforth.“Ihadafuckingvision
ofourworldandit’snotgood.Infact,Idon’tthinkitcouldbeworse.”
Hesighedheavily.“We’reintroublethen.”
Themanwhosmiledsoeasily,whousuallyhadaFrenchmartiniinonehandandalitcigaretteinthe
other,hadneverlookedmoresomber.
Sheremainedwhereshewas,stillonthefloorandstretchedoutprone.“IthoughtwhenIdefeated
Greaves,we’dstartrollingthewarback.Butthat’snotthecase.Infact,I’mnowunderstandingwhythe
warhasworsened.Thethreegeneralsarebeinghelped.”
“Letmeguess;Chustaffushashishandinthepie.”
“Bothfists.”
“Doyouhavevisionsoften?”heasked.
“Never.ButthisonepunchedintomyheadandIcouldn’thavestoppeditifIwantedto.Butthehellif
Iknowwhattodo.”
“Itmusthavecomeforareason.”
ShegotstuckontheearlyimageofLukenplummetingtoearth.ShewishedlikehellBrauliowashere,
themanshetriedtostaychastefor.Hewouldknowhowtodissectthevisionandhewouldofferan
interpretationthatwouldcomforther.
Shereachedouttohimtelepathically,butnoresponsereturned.Thebrieftimeshe’dhadwithBraulio
beforeandfollowingthebattlewithGreaveshadended.
Rightnow,shewantedsomekindofreassurancethatwhatshe’djustseenwouldn’tbefallherworld,
thattherewassomethingshecoulddotostoptheseeventsfromcrashingonher,onLuken,ontheworld
sheheldinthepalmofherhands.
Shewasn’tgiventomuchdeepfeeling.Shebelievedbeingarulerdidn’tallowhertobemaudlinor
nostalgiconanylevel.Shehadtokeepherheadclearandmaketoughdecisionsthatoftenmeantsomeof
herpeoplewoulddie.
Butrightnow,ameasureofgriefengulfedthatshookhertohersoul.
AndasMerlhelpedhertoherfeet,herspiritssaggedwithin.Sherarelyfeltdespondent,believingany
kindofdespairtobeanunacceptableweakness,butrightnowshehurt.Sosheexcusedherselfandwent
intothebathroom,shuttingMerlout.
Shehadtothinkandmakequicksenseofwhatshehadjustwitnessed.
Shechoseinthatmomenttoseeitasawarning,andthatwhathadbegunwithDuncan’skidnapping
andhisrescuebySamuelandVela,aswellashiscurrenttrance,hadbeenaforeshadowingofthingsto
comeifshedidn’ttakeheed.
AndwhyhadChustaffusaskedaboutDuncan?Whywashisdeathcriticaltothemadman’splans?
ThenDuncanhadappearedandtoldherwhatsheneededtodo.
Never,inherfive-thousandyearsofrule,hadshebeensoclosetolosingSecondEarth,especially
nowthatChustaffussupportedthethreegenerals.
Butonethingshedidunderstand;Duncanwasthekeyatleastfornow.Everythingpointedtohim,
includinghisinexplicabletrance.ButwhyhadamereMilitiaWarriorsuddenlybecomesoimportant?
Jeannie’svoicesoundedthroughthesmallroom.“MadameEndelle,sorrytobotheryou,butIhavean
urgentmessagefromApacheJunctionTwo.”
DearCreator,whatnow?“Yes?”
Jeannie’snextwordsofDuncanandRachelarrivingatthelandingplatformandaboutwreckers
havingattackedthemonherMortalEarthproperty,forcedtheairfromherlungs.Foralongmoment,she
couldn’tbreathe.
Pacingherbathroom,sheaskedthehardquestion.“IsDuncanalive?”
“Yes,theybothare.HoraceiswithDuncannowbecausehe’sstillinbadshape.Rachel’sprettyshook
up.”
“Sonofabitch.”
JeannieandCarlaranCentralCommand,asmallgroupofcommunicationsexpertswhokept
informationmovingbetweenEndelleandherwarriorsaswellasamongalltheWarriorsoftheBlood.
Jeannierarelytookanightoff.
“That’sexactlywhatIsaid,”Jeannieresponded.“Butthegoodnewsiswe’vegotDuncanback.
Rachelsaidhe’scomeoutofhistrance.”
“Ishismindokay?”
“Yes,buthe’sunconscious.”
“Thenhowthehelldoanyofthesedumbfucksknowhedidn’tfallrightbackintothetrance?”
“BecausehekeepswakingupbrieflyandcallingoutforRachel.Thenpassesoutagain.”
Endellepressedahandtoherchestandmoretearsburnedhereyes.“Creatorbepraised,”shesaid
quietly.
“Amentothat.”
Endellestoppedherpacingtoleanherhipsagainstthesink.Shecoveredherfacewithbothhands,
imagesofthevisionstillboilinginherhead.“Who’sonrotationoverthere?IsGideonbackyet?”
“Hejustfoldedintoseehissister.ColonelSerifferemainedinNorthAfricawithThorne.”
ShenoddedasthoughJeanniecouldseeher.“Okay,thanks.LetHQknowI’monmyway.”
“MadameSupremeness?”
“Yes?”
“Areyouokay?”
ForreasonsEndellecouldnotexplain,thecompassioninJeannie’svoicechappedherhide.“Whatthe
fuckdoyoucareifI’mokayornot!Irulethisdimension,incaseyouforgot.”
ButJeanniechuckled;she’dbeenaroundawhile.“That’sbetter.Foramomentthere,Ithoughtyou’d
lostyouredge.”
“Iamanedge.”AgoddamnfuckingrighteousedgeandlikehellshewasgoingtoletChustaffusorany
otherThirdEarthassholetakeherworld.
~~~
LukenstareddownatbeautifulredhaircutpreciselybyoneofScottsdaleTwo’spriciersalons.
Havilybentoverafilingcabinet,searchingthroughabunchoffoldersandhisheartasalwaysfeltcaught
inavise.
HelovedHavilyMorgan,nowHavilyAmargi.She’dmarriedthebastard,herbreh,Marcus.
Hecouldn’thelpbutbealittlebitter.He’dlovedHavilylongbeforeMarcusreturnedfromMortal
EarthtoreenlistasaWarrioroftheBlood.AndeventhoughHavilyhadnevergivenLukenonetrueword
ofencouragement,hopehadsimplyneverdied.
She’dbeentherisingmoontohimandthesettingsun,everyseasonunderheaven,everyriseof
mountain,everyfalloftide.Herskinwaslikecream,herlightgreeneyesthejoyofhisexistence,and
everytimeshesmiledhisheartbrokealittlemore.
HestillbegrudgedMarcushiswindfall.MarcushadabsentedhimselffrombattlingasaWhat-beefor
twohundredyears,whileLukenhadbeenthefaithfulone.He’dstuckitoutonSecondEarth,battling
deathvampiresattheBorderlandsnightafternight,rarelyhavinganytimeoff.TheBorderlandswere
naturalgatewaystootherdimensions,inthiscase,MortalEarth.Deathvampirestriedtousethe
Borderlandstogettoaplentifulsupplyofvulnerablehumanblood.BoththeWarriorsoftheBloodand
theMilitiaWarriorsworkedhardtokeepdeathvampiresfromescapingdowntoMortalEarth.
Lukenknewhisdutyandhelovedfulfillinghisobligations.
ButwhythehellhadtheCreatorrewardedMarcuswithanangellikeHav?
Havilyrosefromthefilingcabinet,herarmsloadedwithmanilafolders.“Canyoubelievewestill
havesomanyfilesleft?I’mprocessingstufffromfiftyyearsago.Although,Ihavetosaysomeofitis
fascinating.DidyouknowtherewasanuprisinginAngolaTwoin1964?”
“OneofGreaves’slessexaltedschemes.”Hechuckledsoftly.GreavesnolongerresidedonSecond
Earth.AccordingtoEndelle,hewasgoingthroughanextremelydifficultrehabilitationprocessthat
BeatriceofFourthhaddeveloped.Apparently,evenpsychopathscouldbecured.
LukenrepressedaneedtocursethedecisiontoletGreavesgo.ButEndellemusthavehadher
reasons,andlikeanyWarrioroftheBlood,hebowedtoherwill.
Lukendrewcloseandleanedanelbowonthetall,four-drawercabinet.Havilymovedthefilestoher
desk,butreturnedtochatwithhim.
ShewasstillyoungbySecondEarthstandardshavingascendedfromVancouverIslandMortalEarth
abouttheturnofthepriorcentury.Sheleanedherhipsagainstherdesk.“Listen,Luken,Ihatetobringthis
up…”
“Thendon’t.”Hisheartbegantorace.Hedidn’twanthertosaythewords,butheknewwhatshewas
thinking.
Sheglancedattheglasswindowsofherofficethatledtothehallwaybehindhim.Anumberofthe
executivesinEndelle’sadministrativeHQworkeddownthehallandmorethanonehadnodoubt
witnessedhimenteringheroffice.Hisfeelingsforherweren’tevenalittlebitofasecret,sohis
appearanceoftensetthegossiprollingonceagain.
Sheloweredhervoice.“YouknowIlikeyoucominghere,right?”
“Ido.”
“AndthatIvalueourfriendship.”
Henodded.Hedidn’ttrytomakeexcusesortopretendhedidn’tfeelwhathefelt.Somethinginhis
loveforHavilyhadkepthimsanethroughthelasthardcenturyofmakingwar.“Ifeelthesameway.”
“It’sjustthat,you’vebeenhereeverydaythisweekandMarcushasstartedgettingjumpy.Between
youandme,eventhoughwe’vebeentogetherawhilenow,hecanstillgocavemanonmeandIdon’t
wantafallingoutbetweenyoumen.”
AtthatLukenlaughed.Thebreh-heddenmadecavemenoutofthosewarriorsstruckdownbywhat
hadoncebeenthoughttobeonlyamyth.“HeardhepunchedaMilitiaWarriorattheBloodandBitefor
evenmentioningyourname.”
Havily’ssmilegrewcrooked.“Ilovehim.Creatorhelpme,Ilovehimsomuch.”
Thewordswereaknifethathadalreadypiercedhisheartbutkeptmakingslow,agonizingquarter
turnseverytimeshespokeofherloveforMarcus.AndLukenneverstoppedhopingthatifshetalked
aboutherbrehoftenenough,Lukenwouldfinallystoplovingher.Butheknewthatwasimpossible.For
whateverreason,helovedthiswomanwitheveryfuckingfiberofhisbeing.
Shecontinued,hervoicestilllow,“NotthatI’mcomplainingonmyownbehalf,butwhyhaveyou
beenheresomuchthisweek?It’snotbeenyourusualthingforthepastseveralmonths.Infact,you’ve
sortofkeptyourdistance.”
HisgazeslippedpasthertothelargewindowthatoverlookedtheSonoranDeserteastofPhoenix.So,
whyhadhecomeherethisweek,everyday,asthoughcompelled?
ForMarcus’ssake,andtoalargerdegreehisown,he’dbeeninthehabitoflimitinghimselftoaonce-
a-weekdrop-in.
Herubbedhisthumbdownhischeekacoupleoftimes,whichwassomethinghedidwhenheneeded
tothink.Oracrosshischin.Orhisforehead.“Noreason.Justwantedtoseeyou.”
Butthatwasalie.
“Bullshit.Something’sgoingonwithyou.Icanfeelit.”
Hedidn’twanttoburdenher.“It’sprobablynothing.Just…Idon’tknow…I’vebeenuneasyfor
daysnow.Thewar’sbeenheatingupinNorthAfricalatelyandweseemtohavemoreandmoredeath
vampiresattheBorderlandstryingtostealdowntoMortalEarth.Ikeepwaitingfortheothershoeto
drop.”
“Maybeit’sbecauseofDuncan.”
“Well,I’lladmithissituationhasusallonedge.Youknow,Jean-Pierrehadbeenworkingwithhim
formonthsandweallknewhehademergingpowersofsomemagnitude.But,ifhecouldgetcaughtina
trance,thenprobablyanyofuscould.”MaybeDuncanwasthereason,hewasn’tsure.Buthefeltlikehe
hadanitchrightinthecenterofhisbackthathecouldn’tscratch.Andashe’dalwaysdone,hecameto
Havilybecausesomethingaboutherpresencecalmedhim.
Hefelthiswarriorphonevibrateinthethinslotofhisbattlekiltandwithdrewit,turningawayfrom
Havilyatthesametime.“Hey,Jeannie,what’scookin’?”
AlltheWarriorsoftheBloodhadcredit-card-likephonesthatkeptthemconnectedwithCentral
Command.JeannieandherstaffkeptLukenwell-informedaboutdeathvampiremovementatthe
Borderlands.
“Well,I’vegotgoodnews,thentypicalnews.Whichdoyouwantfirst?”
Hestoodalittlestraighter.“I’lltakethegoodnewsfirst.Give.”
“Duncancameoutofhistrance.”HequicklyrelatedthenewstoHavily.Shegaveasmalljumponher
feetthenaquietclapofherhands.Henoddedtoherashespokeoncemoreintohisphone.“Andwhat’s
thetypicalnews?”
“WreckerstriedtotakeRacheloutonMortalEarth,justasDuncanarrivedtowarnher.Hepassed
out,butRachelwasabletofoldthembothtoApacheJunctionTwo.Shesaidshesawthewreckersjustas
shevanished.Andthat’stheotherreasonI’mcalling.EndellewantsyouoverthereASAP.”
“Onmyway.”
Shit,DuncanhadsomehowmadeitbackandRachelhadsavedhimfromaThirdEarthwrecking
squad.Atleasthehopedthat’swhatJeannie’scallhadmeant.
HeturnedbacktoHavilyandsawthatherlightgreeneyeswerebrightwithcuriosity.“Sowhatelse
didJeanniesay?Ihavetoknow.”Shewassmiling.
“It’snotallgoodnews.”Hehesitatedtellingheraboutthewreckers,butnottosayanythingwas
foolish.Havilywasahelluvalotstrongerthanshelookedandshewouldbeinvolvedatsomepoint
anyway.MarcusandHavilyworkedtogetherdoingworldwidePRforEndelleonaregularbasis.
So,hetoldherwhatheknew.
“Oh,myGod.”Sheputahandtoherchest.“AnotherThirdEarthincursion?Whatthehellisgoingon?
IthoughtwiththeportaltoThirdclosedupagain,weweresafefromThirdinvolvement.Idon’tgetit.”
Hewasabouttosaysomething,butaweirddizzinesshithim.Ashelookedather,shetelescoped
awayfromhim,fadingfatherandfartherfromsight.
Hefeltlikehewaslosingher.
Lukenhadthatsameotherworldfeelingthathadbeendogginghimfordays.Somethingwasonthe
windandhewaspartofit.
Whenheblinked,thetelescopingdisappearedandhisvisionwasbacktonormal.
Hehadtheoverwhelmingsensationthatthiswasanendingforhim,forthem.Thesweetfriendship
thathe’dalwaysenjoyedwithHavilywouldbenomore.
“Luken,youhaveafunnylookinyoureye.”
“Hav,yourfriendshiphasmeanttheworldtome.”
“Iknow.We’vecoveredthat.”
Hemovedclosetoherandleaneddowntokissheronthecheek.
Whenhedrewback,heheardagrowlingsoundcomingfromthedoorway.HeturnedtofindMarcus
glaringathim,hisstraightbrowsahardslashabovehiseyes.“Whatthehellisgoingoninhere?”he
barked.
LukencouldfeelMarcusbristling,buthowcouldheexplain?“Apologies,Marcus,Iwasjust
leaving.”HethentappedMarcus’stelepathyandpathed,I’msayinggood-byebecausesomethingbigis
goingon.Can’texplainit.Don’tsayanythingtoHav.
Yousure?Marcus’sshoulderseasedback.
Yes.
Iwon’tsayaword.Aloud,Marcussaid,“There’ssomekindofrumorflashingaroundtheofficethat
Duncanisback.”
Lukenrelayedthesameinformationthathe’dtoldHavily.“Butthat’sallIknow.Andnow,ifIdon’t
getovertoMilitiaHQ,Endellewillhavemyassinasling.”
HemeanttowalkbyMarcus,butthebrothercaughthisarm.“Hey.Inevermeanttobeahardassabout
Havily.”
“Youweren’t.”Butthereitwasagain,asenseofsomethingfinalhappeninginthisroom.Hewas
gratefulthatMarcushadshownupwhenhedid.“Youwere…incrediblygracious.ButI…listen,Ihope
Ididn’t—”
MarcussuddenlyslunganarmaroundLuken’sneck.Hehadatleasttwentypercentmoremusclemass
thanMarcus,butthebrotherwasbigandthehugthatfollowedwrenchedsomethinginsideLuken’schest
andhiseyesburned.
Again,itfeltlikegood-bye.
Whenhedrewback,heclearedhisthroatasdidMarcus,asuresignthey’dbothcrossedthelineof
warrior-ness.
LukentookonelastlookatHavily,thenheadeddownstairstothelandingplatforms.Securityhad
tightenedallaroundthePhoenixarea,inEndelle’sAdministrativeHQ,atherpalaceattheMcDowell
Mountains,andatMilitiaHQ.
Butthesamesensationwasback.Hehadaprettygoodideahewouldn’tbevisitingHavilyanymore.
~~~
AtthesamemomentthatYolanthereceivedwordthatthewreckershadfailedbyaparticleofa
secondtokillRachel,Chustaffushadrequestedherpresenceinhislibrary.Shewasseverely
disappointedthatDuncanhadsomehowescapedhermind-linkandthatRachelstilllived.Butasshetook
upherhabitualseatinherfather’sChicagoThreecastle,sheknewbetterthantoletanyofheremotions
show.
Sheheldherselfwithagoodtwoinchesbetweenherbackandtheveryuprightseatinwhichshesat.
Sheremainedasalways,likeapieceofstatuaryinherfather’shome,somethingtobelookedatand
perhapsvaluedatadistance,buttreatedwithoutanyrealvalue.
Herlegswerecrossedattheanklesandshuntedtothesidetogivehergownasmooth,seamlesslook.
Hersmallwhitehandswerefoldedinherlap,palmsup.
Sheheldtheloopofherleopard’sleasharoundherrightwrist,butshedidn’tdaretouchthecatorher
fatherwouldreprimandherseverely.Heonlybarelytoleratedherpetasitwas.
Turningherattentiontowardherfather,shecouldseethathewastroubled,acircumstancethatmade
herwing-lockstighten.Sheknewthenthatthemeetingwouldnotendwellforher.Butthatdidn’tmatter.
Sheunderstoodandvaluedherroleinherfather’slife.
HerchestswelledasshewatchedChustaffus.Shefeltasshealwaysdid;shewasinthepresenceof
truegreatness.HewasarenownedwarriorintheirworldandhadservedasaWarrioroftheBloodthree
millenniapast,battlingdeathvampiresacrossagoodportionofThirdEarth.
Thentwothousandyearsago,he’dgatheredalltheleadersoftheworldtogether,createdaSenatethat
hecontrolled,andmadehimselfrulerofThirdEarth.Thiswaslongbeforeherbirthamerenine-hundred-
yearsago.ButsheknewChustaffus’shistorybetterthananyoneinthedimension.
Disasterhadstruck,however,amillenniumpastwhentheonecalledThePrincehadchallenged
Chustaffusandtakenoverathirdoftheworld.NoonewasallowedtospeakThePrince’sbirthnamein
Chustaffus’skingdom.HewasreferredtoonlyasThePrince.
Chustaffus’sgoaleversincehadbeentowinhisworldback.Andtothatend,Yolantheservedher
fatherwitheveryounceofenergyshepossessed.Shealwayswould.Hiswillwasherwill.
Shesatverystill,observingherthreebrotherswhoignoredherasmuchasChustaffusdid.Butthe
timewouldcomewhentheirattitudestowardherwouldchange.Allshehadtodowastoseizecontrolof
DuncanagainandbringhisphenomenalSeerpowersforward.Oneday,hewouldhaveanunusualversion
oftheSeer’sgiftandwhenthatdayhappened,sheneededDuncanfullyalignedwithher.
ShetookdeepbreathsandasthemendiscussedstrategyfortheirongoingbidtotakeoverSecond
Earth,sheremainedquiet,theimageofanobedientdaughter.
“ImusthaveRapture’sEdge,”Chustaffussaid,slamminghishandhardonthedarkwoodtable.All
threeofhissonsjumpedandexchangedglances.“Whyhavenoneofyouboysfounditformeyet?”
HerbrothersalmostasoneleanedawayfromChustaffus,whichwasasmartmovesincehehada
quickhandanddidn’tmindcuffinghischildren.Yolanthehadfeltthatbackhandathousandtimesinthe
courseofheryears,butusuallyforinfractionsthatinvolvednotbeingastatue.
Sosheheldherpose.
Shealsowonderedwhatexcusesherbrotherswouldcomeupwiththistime.
“Haveanyofyoueventried?Anyofyou?”
Theeldest,Hector,sethisjaw.“We’veeachhadourteamsinvestigatingandsearchingfordecades.
We’veconcludedthatthere’snosuchplace.OursupportofthegeneralsonSecondandbuildingtheir
individualdeathvampirearmiesisfarmoreuseful.”
Chustaffusrosetohisfeet.
Ragerolledfromhim.WhywasHectorchallenginghimsoforcefully?WhenHectorstoleaglanceat
Yolanthe,sheunderstood.Hectorwasplayingtheoldgameofshiftingdaddy’sireelsewhere,essentially
ontoherback.Yetagain.
Yolanthegrewrigidasshewaited.Herfatherneverpunishedhisboys,notwhensomethingoflesser
valuewaspresentonwhichtoinflictpunishment.
Everymuscleinherbodygrewtenseasshewaited.
Heshiftedslightlyinherdirection.Hewasverytall,almostsix-feet-eight-inches.Heworehisblack,
wavyhairlongtohisshouldersandsweptawayfromhisface.Asilverstreakaboutaninchwideflowed
justoff-center,givinghimastrikingappearance.Hewashandsomebymostaccountings,butwomen
avoidedhim.Agreatnumberhadspentthenightinhischambersnevertobeseenagain.
She’dgrownupinhishome,listeningtotheirscreams.
Andafterward,thecoldsilence.
Butforthat,sheblamedmostofthesewomen.Theyknewhisreputationandhenevertookanyoneto
bedwhodidn’tgowillingly.InYolanthe’sopinion,eachhadchosenherdeath.
Chustaffus’sjawgroundacoupleoftimesashemethergaze.
Shedidn’tlookaway,however.Itwouldgoworseforherifsheavoidedhisgazeorshowedanyother
signofweakness.
Therewasnothingshecouldsay,onlywhatshecoulddoforherfuture.AndthatinvolvedDuncan
WallaceandhisaidinhelpinghertofindthemythicalRapture’sEdge.
“Comehere,daughter.”
Shehidthetremblingofherlegsassherosetoherfeet.
Chustaffusfoldedawhipintohishand,broughtfromhisweapon’sroom.Thisonewassplitatthe
endsintoadozensmallerleatherstrands,metalshardsboundtotheendofeach.
Shementallypushedafootstoolclosetohim,somethinghealwaysrequired.Sheeasedthefloor
lengthoverdressdown.Herwing-lockshadalreadybeguntosealupinpreparationandherunder-gown
wasbacklessasrequiredbyherfather.
FacingawayfromChustaffus,shekneltinfrontofthefootstoolandwrappedherarmstightaroundthe
maroonleather.
Shetookadeep,steadyingbreathandclosedhereyes.
Thefirstblowalwayshurttheworst.
CHAPTERTWO
Hopebeginswiththesweetsurprise
Oftheunexpected.
CollectedProverbs–BeatriceofFourth
Despitethefactthatahealerworkedonhim,Duncanstillfeltlikehe’dbeenshovedthroughakeyhole
atninety-miles-an-hour.Hehurtfrombothmind-dives,theonethatYolanthehadperpetratedandhisown
plungethathadhelpedhimdisturbthelinkwellenoughtoescapethetrance.Heachedalloveraswell,
probablybecausehe’dbeeninactiveforthepasttwoweeks.
ButHoracewaswithhimnowandhealingwavespouredthroughDuncan’shead,flowingtheentire
lengthofhisbody.
Hismindhadfinallystartedworkingagain,buthestruggledtoopenhiseyes.Heneededtoknow
wherehewasandwhetherornot--Godhelphim--Rachelhadsurvivedthewreckerattack.He’dbeen
inandoutofconsciousnesssothatonlysnippetsofinformationhadreachedhim.
Asthepaindiminished,hewasatlastabletoopenhiseyestostareupatawelcomeface.
“Horace.”
Thehealerhadservedthewarriorcommunityforadamnlongtime.Hehadlong,wavy,brownhair
andcompassionate,browneyes.
“You’resafe,WarriorDuncan.Bewell.”
HecaughtHorace’swrist.“Rachel?”
Please,God,letherbeallright.
“She’sfine.Distressedthatyouwereunconscious,butfine.Herbrotherhasbeenwithherwhileyou
recovered.Andincaseyou’rewondering,you’reatMilitiaHQinthemed-bay.”
Duncanletoutadeepsighofrelief.Everythingwasokay.RachelwassafeandGideonwaswithher.
HewasatMilitiaWarriorHeadquartersinApacheJunctionTwoandfornowhewasfreeofYolanthe.
“Ithought…”Hewassurewhenhe’dblackedoutonthegravelpathinRachel’sgardenthatYolanthe
hadactuallyfoundhimagain,thatshe’doncemoretakencontrolofhismind.Butthathadn’thappened.
“DoyouwantmetobringRacheltoyou?”Horacehoveredhishandsjustaninchorsoabove
Duncan’sheadashecontinuedtoworkhishealingmagic.
“No.That’sokay.Aslongas…wassheinjured?”
“She’sperfectlyfine.Untouched.Shedidsaythatwreckershadarrivedthenfiredatthesamemoment
shefoldedyoutothelandingplatformshereatHQ.”
Withthosewords,hefinallyallowedhimselftorelax.MilitiaHQwasoneofthemostsecure
locationsonSecondEarth,andRachelwassafe.
Hebreatheddeeply,feelingbetterandbetter.
Horaceclearedhisthroatandforasplit-secondhishealingpowerfaltered,ashesaid,“IfeelIshould
warnyouthatSheWhoWouldLiveishere.”
Endelle,therulerofSecondEarth,bitchonwheels,hadcometoseehim.
Great.
“And,IfeelIshouldalsowarnyouthatshe’sinastate.”
Atthat,DuncantwistedslightlytomeetHorace’sgaze.“Morethanusual?”
“Herhairiswrithing.”
Duncanshuddered.NoonewantedwithinthrowingdistanceofEndellewhenshewasinoneofher
moods.“What’sthatsound,likecoinsshakeninacan?”
“Hershoes.She’swearingherscorpionmotif.”
DuncanshovedHorace’shandawayandsatup,maybealittletoofastsincehelistedsideways.
Horacehadtocatchhimtokeephimfromtopplingover.
“I’mokay.”
Hewasn’t,buthehadtopullhimselftogether.
Hetookanotherdeepbreathandplantedbothfistsonthebedoneithersideofhiships,strugglingto
regainhisbalance.Heworetwohospitalgowns,onetiedinfrontandtheotherinback,butlikehellhe
wasgoingtomeetHerSupremenessinanythingotherthanhisuniform.
ShemighthaveturnedoverthearmytoThorne,butshewasstill,inhismind,oneofhiscommanding
officers.
Witheverythinghehad,heslidoffthebedandfortunately,hewasabletostandup.Hefocusedonthe
closetinhislakesidehomeinParadiseValleyTwo.Onemoredeepbreathandhefoldedonhisuniform:
blackleatherkilt,matchingweaponsharnesswithdaggersinplace,battlesandals,shinguards,and
studdedwristsguards.
Heheardvoicesatthesametime.OneofthemwasEndelle’s.
Hethrewbackthemedicalbaycurtain.Theplasticringsglidedbackwithasigh.
Andtheretheywere:Luken,Gideonwithhisblondhairnowlongenoughtowearinthecadroen,
Endelletoweringabovethemenbecauseofherridiculousstilettos,andawarrior-sizedmaleheknew
hadtobetheonecalled,Merl,aThirdEarthascender.
Hischesthurtinthestrangestwayashestaredatallofthem.Herealizedinthatmomenthehadn’t
believedhe’devermakeitbackalive.
“Youbrokethetrance,”Gideonsaid,drawingclose.HeplantedahandonDuncan’sshoulderand
squeezed.Ifhepinchedhislipstogetherwithemotion,Duncanignoredit.Hisownthroatached.Gideon
hadbeenoneofhisbestfriendsforalongtime.
Duncanalsoignoredthedizzinessthatwasneverfaraway.“Lookslikeit.”Henoddedseveraltimes.
Hewasaboutreadytofallover,butlikeanysoldierworthhissaltheknewhowtofront.
“Andyousavedmysister,”Gideonadded.
“Ithinkitwastheotherwayaround.”
“Butyouwarnedherthatthewreckerswereheadedherway.She’dbedeadotherwise.”
Duncanshookhishead.He’dbeenthroughtoomuchandhadbeenunderYolanthe’scontrolfartoo
long,becausehewashavingtroublefocusing.“Imean,that’sright,butIblackedout.Sotherest,shedid.”
Heglancedaround.“Shegotusbothhere.”
Lukencameforwardandgrabbedhishandinoneofhisbeefypaws.“Gladyou’reback,Warrior.”
OnceThornehadbeengivencommandofEndelle’sarmyalongwithorderstobuildupthenumbers,
LukenhadtakenoverasleaderoftheWarriorsoftheBlood.
LukenturnedintheThirdAscender’sdirection.“Idon’tthinkyou’vemetMerl.HehelpedSamueland
VelagetyououtofthattorturecellonThird.”
Duncanjerkedhischin.“Thanks.”
HethoughtMerllookedsomethinglikealounge-lizardsinceheworeblackleathers,aredsilkshirt
openattheneck,andathickgoldchain.Despitehisclothing,hehadwarriorwrittenalloverhimashe
inclinedhisheadinresponse.
MerlstuckclosetoEndelle,though,whichmadeDuncanthinkhemightbebangingSheWhoWould
Live.NotthatDuncancaredhowEndellegotherrocksofforMerl.Itwasjustodd.
Heglancedbehindthem,wonderingwhereRachelwas.Hewantedtoseeher,toseewithhisown
eyesthatshewasallright.
Endelleplantedherhandsonherhips,liftingherchinonceasshetookhiminfromheadtofoot.
“Well,don’tyoulookliketenkindsofshit.”Herlongblackhairmovedaroundslowly.Somethingwason
thescorpion’smind.
Henarrowedhisgazeslightly.“Andyoulooklikeyou’reaboutreadytogoontourwithaMortal
Earthheavymetalbandorturntricks.Haven’tfiguredoutwhich.”
Thetensionintheroomrampedupabouttwelvedegrees.NoonetalkedthatwaytoHerSupremeness.
ButEndellewascapriciousandinsteadofflyingintoarage,herlipstwistedintoacrookedsmile.
“I’ddobothifitmeantkeepingyouandthatwomanofyourssafe.Sowhatthefuckisgoingonwithyou?”
Nowwasn’tthatthequestionofthecentury.“HellifIknow.”
“That’snotananswer.”Thesmileleftherfaceandsomethingshifted.Themovementofherthick
blackhairbecamewildandpronounced.Hecouldalmostfeelhertension,thatsomethingnotonlyhadher
pantiesinawad,butwasclimbingherbutt-crackaswell.
Sheadded,“I’llwantafullreport.”
“Nothere,notyet.AndifIdon’thaveagoddambeersometimesoon,I’llgoapeshit.”
Endelleheldoutherhandandadarkamberbottleappeared.ShehandedittoDuncan.
Hetwistedthecapoff,tiltedhisheadback,anddrankdeep.ThishadtobewhatthegodsofOlympus
drank.Itwasicecoldandtastedfinerthananythinghe’dhadinaboutadecade.
Everyoneremainedstandingwheretheywereashedrainedthebottle.Whenhe’dfinishedthelast
drop,heaimedatanearbytrashcanandlaunched.Hehititdeadon.Lookedlikehiscoordinationand
balancewasimprovingbythesecond.
Horacetooktheopportunitytoexcusehimself,pattingDuncanontheback.Hewishedhimwell,but
saidhewasneededinNorthAfrica.Duncanthankedhim.
Asthehealerheadedout,EndelleturnedtoLuken.“IwanttheWarriorsoftheBloodatMedichi’s
villainfifteen.AndifIhearonefuckingwordofcomplaintoroneweakexcuse,I’llburntheBloodand
BitedownwhileIstandhereglaringateachofyou.”Foremphasis,shetappedthetoeofherrightshoein
aquickdrumbeatsothatallthemetalscorpionsmadeanannoyingjanglingnoise.Shethenamplifiedthe
soundforeffect.
Duncanandallthreemendrewindistressedstreamsofair.TheMortalEarthclubwasasteam-valve
fortheThunderGodWarriorsaswellastheWhat-Bees.Sex,booze,andheavy-pettingonadancefloor
wentalongwaytoeasingbackthebattleadrenaline.Actionintheredvelvetboothshelpedaswell.
DuncanwatchedLukenwhiphisthinwarriorphonefromthepocketofhiskilt.Steppingawayfrom
thegroup,hesaid,“Hey,Jeannie,IwanttheWhat-Beesatthevillainten.”Hepaused.“No,justthosein
ArizonaTwo.Lookslikewe’vegotsomemajorshitgoingdown.”Anotherpause,thenLukengrinned,
showingallhisbig,fineteethwhilehisvoicewasassmoothashoney.“Backatcha.You’remyfav,you
know.”Hechuckled.“Allright,soIsaidthesamethingtoCarla.Awarriorisallowedtwofavs.It’sa
rule,andarighteousoneatthat.”
Hehungupandreplacedhisphone.Everyonestaredathim.
“Forfuck’ssake,”Endellesaid,“You’reasbadasMerlherewiththeflirtingandgettingitonwiththe
ladies.”
DuncanfeltthetenoroftheroomshiftasLukenmetMerl’sgazeandMerlglaredback.Troublein
paradise?Prettytypical,though.Lukenwasdefinitelytheman.ButherewasMerl,withallhisThird
Earthpower,buddyinguptoEndelle.
Gideonsaid,“Ihavetotakeoff,Duncan.I’mtrainingMilitiaWarriorsintheworkoutcenterwith
Jean-Pierre.TheBorderlandsarebesiegedthesedays.”
Duncannodded,histhroattighteningalloveragain.Gideongavehimacrookedsmile.“Gladyou
madeit,”hemurmured,thenturnedonhisheelandheadedout.
HewatchedGideongo,wishinghecouldrejointheMilitiaWarriorranksrightnow.Instead,he
couldn’tdenythathewasbeingpulledadifferentdirectionentirely,onethatinvolvedThirdEarth.
HewasabouttoofferupinformationtoEndellestraightout,butrightthenastrangescentwaftedin
hisdirection.Itsmelledlikesomeonehadplantedagardenandworkedtheearthrightinthemiddleof
HQ,whichmadenosense.Withoutunderstandingwhy,hehadtofindoutwhatthatscentwas.
“Excuseme,”hesaid.
Hemovedpastthegroup,hisfeetinmotionbeforehe’dformedevenonerationalthought.
Endellesaid,“Wherethehellishegoing?”
Whenhereachedthedoubledoortothehall,hepushedbothopenatthesametimeandwasnearly
knockedoverbythesamescent.Andthat’swhenhismindfumbledalloveritselfandhisgroinheatedup.
Heclosedhiseyesanddrankitin,hismindnowfullofbright,sparklinglights.
Hisvampirehungercalledout,needingthatscent,cravingituntilhewashardasarock,makingthe
frontofhiskiltbulge.
Butwhatkindofscentwoulddothattoawarrior,exceptawoman’ssex?
Hisfangsthrummed,thendescendedtositlowonhislips.Allthathewasasavampirecameforward
inthatmoment,fullofneedforbloodandsex.
HeheardEndellecalltohim,buthewasinmotiononcemoreandhishearinghadnumbedout.His
dickledthewayandhewassoonboard.
Hereachedanintersectionofanotherhallway.Turningtotheright,hestopped,becausethescent
emanatedfromawomansittingonabench.Shewasbentover,herheadinherhands.
Rachel.
Rachelwasthesourceofthescent?
Butwhatwentthroughhisheadoverwhelmedhim:Rachelhadn’tleft.Shewasstillhere.She’d
waitedforhim.
~~~
Rachelhadherelbowsonherkneesandherheadinherhandsbecauseshecouldn’tstopshaking.
Itmighthavebeencompletelynormalbecauseofwhatshe’djustbeenthrough,buthowwouldshe
know?Thesuddenappearanceofthewreckerstoldhershe’dbeenahair’sbreadthawayfrombeing
killedthenandthere.
IfDuncanhadn’tshownuptowarnher,orifshehadn’trespondedtohissuggestiontogetthemboth
thehelloutofthere,yeah,she’dbedead.Shewasn’tsureaboutDuncan,becauseitseemedtoherthe
wreckershadbeenlookingstraightather,aimingforher.
Whenshe’dfoldedhimtotheHQlandingplatform,she’dsatdownonthetileandheldhiminher
armsforalongmoment.MilitiaWarriorshadcomerunning.
She’dalwayshadaconnectiontoDuncan,butsomethingwasgoingonwithhimthatshedidn’t
understand.SheknewWarriorJean-Pierrehadbeenworkingtobringhisemergingpowersforward,but
whatshe’dfeltfromhimwasmorepowerthanshe’deverknownhimtohave.
Whatdiditmean?Andwhyhadthewreckerscometokillher?
Shehadsomanyquestions,andnoanswers.ButassoonasDuncanrecovered,sheplannedtohavea
longtalkwithhim.
Suddenly,ascentreachedher,somethingshe’dneversmelledbeforeandwhichseemedreallyoutof
placeatMilitiaHQ.Shewassmellingsomekindofale,verydarkandrich,andbrewedwithciderand
spices.
Withhereyesstillclosed,shedraggedairintohernostrilsandgotlostinwhatforherbrainbecame
anentiresymphonyofsensation.Allsortsoffeel-goodbeganracingthroughherveins,acombinationof
euphoriaandanintensephysicalpleasurethatcausedchillstoracedownhershouldersandoverher
breasts,pullinghernipplesintotightpeaks.
Whatwasthis?
Butthesensationdidn’tstopthereasitcontinuedtoworkdownherabdomenandloweruntilshewas
clenchinghard,dizzy,andreadytoattackthenextmanshesaw.
“Rachel?”
Sheknewthatdeepgorgeousvoiceanditcamefromrightinfrontofher.Sheopenedhereyesand
becauseherelbowswerestillonherknees,shesawDuncan’sfiercebattlesandalsfirst,thenthesexy
leatherofhisblackkiltthathadalwaysgivenherarush.
Andassheleanedback,hergazebecamefixedonwhatshecouldn’tmistakeasanythingotherthana
profounderection.
Oh,sweetCreator.
Atthesametime,thescentthatnowrolledoffDuncankeptcomingather,deepeningthepleasure
betweenherlegs.
Heliftedherupandpulledherintohisarmssothatallhiswonderfulhardnesswaspressedupagainst
her.
Sheputbothhandsonhisface,lovingthesightofhisfangsonhislips.Gonewereallthefightsthat
hadbrokenthemupovertheyears.Allshefeltrightnowwasherconstantaffectionforhimaswellasa
ragingdesiretojumphisbones.
“Duncan.”
Heangledhisheadasheslantedakissoverherlips.Andassoonasshepartedforhim,hedrovehis
tonguedeep,settinguparhythmthatmatchedthesolidgrindofhishipsagainsthers.
Hisscent,hisnearness,hismuscularwarriorbodymadeherforgethersurroundingscompletely.
Hepickedherup,movingherawayfromthebenchandpushingheragainstthewall.
Goodidea,shesent.
Hegruntedinresponse.
Andassheengagedwithhim,anawarenessofhispowerreturned,vibratingovereveryinchofher
skinandflowingthroughherbones.
SomewhereinthedistancesheheardLukensay,“Whatthehell?Wheredidtheyjustgo?”
ThenEndelle,“They’rerightthere,dumbfuck.Duncanhasherpinnedagainstthewallandhe’slifting
herskirts.Oh,yeah,thisisgoingtobegood.Higher,Duncan.Now,justlosethekilt.Folditthehell
away.”
Allthosewordsspokeninsequence,forcedRacheltodrawback;sheandDuncanwerebeing
watched.
Shepushedathimbuthedidn’tbudgeandhekeptreachingforherlips.Hegruntedheavilyandthat’s
whensheknewhewascompletelyoutofcontrol,lostinsomekindofcavemanstate.Hewasonthe
verge,sohowwasshesupposedtostophimnow?
Shehithismindhardwith,Duncan,we’vegotanaudience.Endellecanseeus.Youhavetostop.
Hedidn’tseemtohearherasheslidhislipstoherthroatandbegantosuckatherskinoverthevein.I
needtodrinkfromyou.Now.
Oh,God.Duncan.
Sheknewhewasclosetosinkinghisfangsandifhedid,therewasnowayshewouldbeabletostop
eitherhimorherself.So,shedidtheonethingshedidn’twanttodo,andaddedresonancetoher
telepathy,thenshoutedintohismind,“Letmego!”
“Aw,fuuuuck.”Hepulledback,holdinghisheadinhishands.“Thathurt.”Resonancecombinedwith
telepathycausedamountainofpain.
Rachel’scheeksflamedassheturnedtowardtheothers.
Lukensaid,“Oh,theretheyare.Hey,wait.Whycouldn’tweseethembeforeand…whyisDuncan
showingfang…oh,you’vegottobefuckingkiddingme.”
Endelleshookherhead.“They’vegotthedisease.”
Lukenwavedahandintheirdirection.“Buthe’sonlyaMilitiaWarrior.”
Endelleshookherhead.“Notanymore.He’sbecomeaWarrioroftheBlood.Andjusttobeclear,
you’llneedtotrainhim.”
“Fine,”Lukensaid.“Whatever,butIthinkI’llmeetyoufolksatAntony’svilla.I’mheadingbackto
thelandingplatformnow.”
Endellelaughed.“Thatwouldprobablybebestbecausewhoknowswhat’sgoingtohappennext.”
Endelleevenwavedadismissivehandashemarchedaway,turnedthecorneranddisappearedfrom
sight.
ToRachel,Endellesaid,“Isthatit?Yougoingtokeepyourmaninpain?Iwasenjoyingtheshow.”
Rachelrolledhereyes.
“Comeon,MadameEndelle,”Merlsaid,takingherbytheelbowandcoaxingherintheopposite
direction.“Ithinkthesetwoneedtotalkandevenyoucan’tfoldstraightoutofherewithoutsettingoffall
thealarms.”
Endellegrimaced,butsheturnedinMerl’sdirectionandmovedintostepbesidehim.Whentheir
voicesfadedastheyheadedaroundthecorner,Rachelcouldbreatheagain.
Duncanhadn’tmovedveryfaraway.Heheldhergaze,shakinghisheadrepeatedly.“Shit,”hesaid
softly.“I’msorryIlostit,Rachel,butthewayyousmell…”
“Iknow.Andyouhaveabizarrebutextremelyeroticscentaswell.”
Atthat,histhickbrowsroseandheheldhergaze.Themanhadthemostgorgeousgreeneyes.She
nevertiredoflookingatthem.“Ido?”
“Uh-huh.Likespicyaleanditgetsmeeverywhere.”
Herelaxedalittleandmovedcloseagain,connectinghishipswithhers.“Whateverthisis,it’sstill
onme.”
“Endelleseemstothinkthisisthebreh-hedden.”
Hestaredatherforalong,longmoment,hisnostrilsflaring,thetipsofhisfangsstillshowing.“Jesus
H.Christ,”hewhispered.“IthoughtthatwasaWarrioroftheBloodthing.”
“Yes,buteverythingischanginganddidn’tyouhearwhatEndellesaid?You’reaWhat-Beenow.And
I’vefeltyourpower.You’vechanged.”
Hestrokedhercheekwiththebackofhisfingers.“Iwasreadytotakeyou,righthereagainstthis
wall.AndIwouldhaveifyouhadn’tshoutedintomyheadlikethat.”
Sheleanedupandkissedhimonthelips.“Ialmostletyou.Butwhycouldn’tthemenseeus?Endelle
could,butnotthemen.”
Duncanfrownedslightly.“Imusthavemissedthatpart.”
Shetouchedthesidesofhisfangsbecausehehadn’tyetfullyretractedandshewasstillachybetween
herlegs,wantingrelease.
Foramoment,shegotlostinDuncan,inbeingthisclose,inhisnewscentthatkeptherwantingmore.
Whatwoulditbelikewithhimnow,whenthisthingwasonthemboth?
Sheshivered.
“Whatwasthat?”Hisvoicesoundedalmostgravellyasheleanedcloseandkissedhertemple,her
cheek,herear.
“Justthinkingaboutpossibilities.”
Hiserectionstrokedher,pushingatthejunctureofherthighsthroughhercottondress.Shemoanedand
againthatsamesensationrodeherbodylikeawaveofpowerthatkeptcrawlingoverherskin.Butitfelt
goodandshekeptitflowingbetweenthem.
Sheheardfootsteps.
“Someone’scoming.”
Duncanstoppedandeasedbackoncemore,butRachelheldontohim,theoddpowerstillcreeping
overherandoverDuncanasthoughshewassurroundinghim.
Lukenappearedattheendofthehall.“Hey,areyoutwostillthere?We’rewaitingforyouatthe
landingplatform.”Hisgazeskatedupanddownthehallandside-to-side,searching.
Inthatmoment,RachelknewforafactthatLuken,withsomuchessentialpowerasaWarriorofthe
Blood,reallycouldn’tseethem.“Duncan,we’reinvisibletohim.”
“That’snotpossible.”
“Oh,Ithinkit’sexactlywhat’shappening.NowwatchLuken’sexpression.”Shebegantoletthe
powerrecedeandassoonasituncoveredDuncan,Luken’sbrowsroseandhemadeeye-contactwith
Duncan.
MorerecedingandRachelwatchedhimshifttomeethergaze.
Ofcoursewiththepairofthemattachedastheywere,Luken’snextganderwenttothejoiningoftheir
hips.Hequicklylookedaway.“Canyoutwobreakthisup?Weneedyouatthevilla.”
Hethenheadedbackdownthehallandoncemoredisappearedfromview.
“SeewhatImean?”
Duncannodded.“Okay,thatwasreallyweirdandyouweredoingit,weren’tyou?”
“Apparently,Iwas.”
Atthat,hesmiled.“LookslikeI’mnottheonlyonewithsomethingascendedgoingon.”
Rachelknewhe’dsaiditexactlyright.ThiswasanascendedthingandDuncanwasn’taloneinhis
emergingpowers.Butshecouldn’tthinkaboutthatrightnow.Ifshedid,she’dgetreallyupsetbecausefor
alongtimenowshe’drejectedthegeneraluseofpreternaturalpower,believingitwasn’ttherightwayto
live.
Andnowthis.
Duncanreleasedhercompletely.“I’llneedaminute.”
Shenodded,fullyawarethathecouldn’tbewalkingaroundHQwithhiskiltbulgingacrossthegroin.
Whenhefinallyguidedherbacktothelandingplatforms,withhishandpressedprotectivelytothe
smallofherback,amountingsenseofanxietybegantogrowwithinher.
“You’llneedasecuritydetail,”hesaid,astheyenteredthelarge,hangar-likeroomthatheldthe
platforms.SeveralMilitiaWarriorsarrivedlookingbattleweary.AllofthemeyedDuncanandnoddedto
himingreeting.
“Whatareyounotsaying?”sheasked.
“TheThirdEarthwomanwhoheldmeinatrancewantsyoudead.Shewasn’taftermewhenshesent
thewreckerstoMortalEarth.Shewasafteryou.”
Duncanhadjustconfirmedwhatshe’dsuspectedallalong.
~~~
Onceatthevilla,DuncanletRachelgo.Hecouldfeelherdistresslikeanacheatthebackofhisneck.
Maybehe’dbeenbrutaltotellherstraightoutaboutYolanthe’sintentions,butsheneededtoknow.
Hewasn’tjustworriedaboutRachel,however.HehadthingsheneededtosaytomakesureEndelle
andherelitefightingforce,theWarriorsoftheBlood,knewexactlywhatkindofsituationtheyfaced.
StandinginfrontoftheFrenchwindowsthatoverlookedthebacklawn,Duncanglancedaroundatthe
gatheredWarriorsoftheBlood,atAntonyMedichiwithhisdarkItalianlookandatMarcus,whostood
nearLukenandlookedunusuallyserious.
Kerrick,thewarriorwiththepurewhitewings,leanedclosetoJean-Pierre,talkingquietlytothe
brother.Jean-PierrestillcarriedaslightlyFrenchaccentandworealavenderbrocadecadroen,remnants
ofhisheritage.
ZachariusstoodonDuncan’sleft,checkinghistextmessagesbecausehewasaknownladies-man.
Santiago,onDuncan’sright,heldaruby-studdeddaggerinhishandandflippeditintheairinaunique
arrayofmovements,neveroncemissinghiscatch.
Theroomhummedwithtestosterone.
Merl,asusual,stuckclosetoEndelle.Duncanwouldhavewrittenhimoffasridiculousifhe,too,
hadn’tvibratedwithpower.
DuncanvaguelyrecalledthatEndellehadsaidsomethingaboutLukenneedingtotrainDuncan.
Thoughhecouldn’tremembertheentireexchange,havingbeencaughtbythebreh-hedden’sfirstimpact,
heknewwithoutbeingtoldthathewasnowtheequalofthesemen.
He’dmadethejumpfromMilitiaWarriortoWhat-beeinthepastthreeweeksandallbecauseSharav
hadtorturedhimandYolanthehadattachedtohismind,forcinghispowertorise.BothThirdAscenders
haddonethiseitherinadvertentlyoronpurpose,buthestoodherenowatWarrioroftheBloodlevel.
Yetevenbeforetheabduction,Jean-Pierrehadbeenworkingwithhimtobringhispowersonline.
Duncanhadbeenhavingstrangevisions,primarilyaboutthewaythewarhadshapeditselfinto
multipletheaters,eachledbyoneofthethreegenerals.Morethanonce,he’dusedthatknowledgeto
disruptanambush.Andonarecentoccasion,he’devenbeenabletostopthemovementoftheopposing
army’sflank.
So,yes,hehadpower.
RachelsatinachairnearLuken,butsteadfastlyavoidedmeetingDuncan’sgaze.Nowthattheinitial
heatofthebreh-heddenhadpassed,nodoubtshewasthinkingaboutallthefightsthey’dhad;she’d
neededadifferentlifeawayfromthewar,andheneededtodobattlealongsidehisbrothers-in-arms.
DespitethattherewasastrongconnectionbetweentheirpathsbecauseofYolantheandThirdEarth,
hecouldn’tseehowitwouldeverbepossibleforthetwoofthemtobebonded.Surely,thistimethe
breh-heddenhadmadeabigmistake.
Herepressedasigh.Hestillwasn’tfeelinglikehimself,whichmadetotalsense.Itwasonlyacouple
ofhoursagohe’dpulledabunchoftubesoutofhisbodyandhehadn’teatenarealmealintwoweeks.
ButthankGodfor
IV
sbecausehisbloodneedshadbeenmet,themostcriticalaspectofhisascended
vampirelife.
Hisnervestwitched.Heneededtogetbacktothebattlefield,slaysomedeathvampires,dosome
good,dowhathewasborntodo.
Ashismindclearedalittlemore,herealizedtheentireroomhadfallensilentandeveryonewas
staringathim.Well,hewastheissuedujour,noquestionaboutthat.
Hefrownedandglancedaroundoncemore.“Icouldsureuseanotherbeer.”
Lukencalledout,“Onit.”
Thebrotherdidn’tmessaroundbutfoldedtothekitchen,andaspromised,hehadanicybottleofbeer
inhishandwhenhereturnedafewsecondslater.“AndI’vefiredupthegrill.Justfoldedinadozenthick
rib-eyesfromthatjointoutsideofTucsonOne.”
Acheerwentup.Beerandsteaks.Nothingbetterforwarriorblood.
DuncantookthebeerthatLukenhandedhimandnodded.Tiltinghisheadback,heguzzled,oncemore
lettingthecoldliquidslidedownhisthroat.
Despitethefactthateveryonewaitedonhim,hetookamomenttodrawinwhatrationalpartofhis
brainhadn’tbeendestroyedbythecombinedeffortsofSharavandthatquietbitch,Yolanthe.Heletthe
beerhaveamuch-neededcalmingeffect.
Settingtheemptybottleonanearbysidetable,hestartedtalking,tellingthegroupallthathad
happened,andhowhe’dspenthoursanddaysinthecompanyofawomanhedescribedasambitiousand
somewhatdelusional.
“Butshe’smotivatedforreasonsthatarestillobscuretome.WhatIgotfrommytimewithheristhat
herfather,Chustaffus,istherealpower,theonethatthreatensSecondEarth.ButwhatYolanthethinksI
candoaboutit,Ihavenoidea.Igettheimpressionshewantsacloserelationship,maybeevenabond.
I’mreallynotsure.”
HerehisgazeshiftedtoRachelwhothistimedidn’tlookaway.“Themostimmediateconcern,
however,isthatforwhateverreason,shebelievesmyrelationshipwithRachelhindersherplans.She’s
afterRachel.”Hepaused,thensaidmorequietly,“Shewantsherdead.”
“Iknowwhy,”Endellesaid.“Isawexactlywhatthewoman’smotivationswerewhenthetwoofyou
weretryingtocopulateoutsidethemed-bay.”
EndellehadlosthersubtletyaboutthetimetheMortalEarthGreekshadstartedwritingtheirpoetry
andthatwasadamnlongtimeago.
HealsoknewshereferredtohowRachelcouldmakehimdisappearfrommostascenders,justnother
ownsweetself.“You’rereferringtoRachel’snewpower?”
Endellenodded.“Iam.”
“So,whatdoyouthinkitis?”
“She’syourgoddamshield.”
EveryeyeturnedtowardEndelle.
“Thathastobeit,”Merlsaid,“becauseevenIcouldn’tseethem.JustEndelle.”
EndelleshiftedtolookdownatRachel.“Lookslikethebitchwantsyousingingsongswiththe
Creator.Goodyforyou.”
Rachelreturnedherstare,scowling.“Doyouevertakeanythingseriously?”
“DoIlooklikeI’mnotserious?”SheglaredatRachelinresponse,whichputDuncaninmotion.
Hecrossedtheroominaflashandpositionedhimselfbetweenthewomen.“Easedown,Madame
Endelle.Now.”Hewouldn’thaveanyonethreateningRachel,noteventherulerofSecondEarth.
He’dfightherifhehadto,thoughhedidn’trelishtheidea.He’dheardrumorsofwhatshe’ddoneto
ThornewhenthelatterhadbattledEndelletogetridofthemind-linkthey’donceshared.Morethanone
reporthadmentionedalotofsmokeandthatthecentralrotundaceilinghadturnedblackbecauseofit.
Hereyeswentwide.“You’rechallengingme?”
“Leavemywomanalone.”Oh,shit,hadheactuallysaidthosewordsoutloud?Heregrettedthem
instantly,buthewouldn’tbackdownforanyone,notevenEndelle.
ButitwasRachelwhosurprisedhim.
SheleftherchairandgotinhisfacerightalongsideEndelle.“Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoingcalling
meyourwoman?ThehellIam,andIdon’tneedyoutofightmybattles,especiallywithEndelle.”
“Hey!Whyespeciallyme?”Endelle’slonghairflippedaroundatthetips.
Rachelstraightenedhershoulders.Shewasn’tmorethanafewinchesawayfromEndelle,butthat
didn’tstopher.“Becauseyoudon’trespectanyoneunlessthey’rebitingyourass,that’swhy.”
ArolloflaughterpassedallaroundtheroomandEndellegrinned.“Ithinkyoumightberightabout
that.Well,okay.I’vealwaysthoughtyouhadgrit,justnotawholelotofsmarts.”
Duncan’sbrehnightmareoncemorekickedintohighgear.Hedidn’tunderstandthecause,butRachel
showingsomuchmoxiehadlithisveinsonfire.Hisfangsoncemorevibratedheavilyinhismouth,
wantingtodescend,andsuddendesirestreakedthroughhiscock.
Hehadtoturnawayandstartdoingmathsumsinhisheadorhe’dembarrasstheshitoutofhimselfall
overagain.
Rachel,however,stayedput.StillglaringatHerSupremeness,sheretorted,“Itdoesn’ttakesmartsto
knowthatthiswarisatravestyoneverypossiblefront.YouthoughtdefeatingGreaveswouldendthings.
Instead,itheateduptheentireworldandnowyouhavethreefrontsinsteadofGreaves’sannoyingantics.”
“Listenup,missy.I’vehadjustaboutenoughofyoursanctimonioushorse-shit.Ifithadbeenuptoyou,
deathvampireswouldrulethisplanetrightnow.Infact—”
WhatmoreshewouldhavesaidgotdisruptedbyMerlwhotookholdofEndelle’selbow.
DuncanwatchedasHerSupremenessturnedtoMerl.“What?”shesnapped.
“YouneedtotelltheWhat-Beeswhyyoureallybroughtthemhere.Theyneedtoknowitwasn’tabout
DuncanorevenRachelorevenRachel’snewshieldingpower.”
Atthat,Endellenoddedslowly,herexpressionforamomenttakingonadistant,almostgrief-stricken
look.
“You’reright.Iforgot.”
RachelmovedtostandbesideDuncanandtohissurprise,sheslidherhandinhisandgaveasqueeze.
Duncan,what’sgoingon?InalltheyearsI’veknownEndelle,I’veneverseenherlooklikethat.
Shelookssosad.
Iknow.Thisisverystrange.AndIhavenoideawhatMerl’stalkingabout.Ihonestlythoughtwe
wereheretodiscussthewreckersandYolanthe’sintentiontohaveyoukilled.
EndellewalkedslowlytowardtheFrenchwindows,herscorpionshoesjanglingsoftly.Shetook
Duncan’soriginalplaceandturnedtoaddresstheroom.Oddly,hergazewenttoLukenwhereitrestedfor
alongmoment.
Again,shelookedincrediblysad.
Whenshebegan,however,shedriftedhergazearoundthebrotherhoodandnoddedseveraltimes.
“I’vethoughtalotaboutwhatI’mgoingtotellyouandevenhowmuchIshouldshareaboutwhatIknow.
I’vedecidedtobeopenabouteverythingwithonlyoneortwosmallexceptions.So,hereitis:Eventson
Thirdhaveintrudedinawaythatwon’tleaveus,probablynotforalongtime.
“WehaveanenemyonThird,anextremelypowerfuladversarythatDuncanalreadymentioned.He
goesbythenameChustaffusandhe’ssethissightsonSecondEarth.Idon’tknowallofhismotivations,
butheintendsthecompletesubjugationofourworld.Makenomistake,slaveryisaliveandwellonThird
EarthinthosepartsoftheplanetthatChustaffusdominates.”
ShetalkedabouttheThirdEarthdarkeninggridthatcouldbeusedtotransportallkindsofmenand
weaponryinsupportofthethreegenerals.“Andtheydothisasyouknowthroughtheuseofwreckers,
warriorstrainedtoblastholesinthegridwall,openingdimensionalpathstoSecond.Theyusedthegrid
justacoupleofhoursago,trackingallthewaytoMortalEarth.Asquadofwreckersattackedboth
DuncanandRachelintheSeattleOneColony.
“Asmanyofyouknow,MerlusedtoserveasawreckerwhichisonereasonIkeephimaround;he
knowsallabouttheirset-up,theirmethods,andtheirweapons.Andhe’smetChustaffus.”Shetosseda
handinhisdirection.“Tellthem.”
DuncanshiftedhisattentiontoMerlasdideveryoneelse.Hiseyescloudedoverforalongmoment
andthelounge-lizardlookdisappearedashischeeksandlipsthinnedout.Definitelyawarrior.
“He’sakilleroftheinnocentandrulestwo-thirdsofourworld.He’senslavedalargeportionofthe
populationandmaintainsamassivearmy.HisforcesdobattleagainstThirdEarthWarriorsoftheBlood,
thelatterworkinghardtoprotectthosenotyetunderChustaffus’sthumb.
“TensofthousandsofslavesservehiswhimsaloneinChicagoThreewherehe’sheadquartered.He
hassonswhoalsoworkonhisbehalf.Anditwashisdaughter,Yolanthe,whotookDuncanintoatrance
andkepthimtherethroughaThirdEarthmind-link,ofwhichfewarecapableofcreating.I’vealways
believedYolanthewasunderestimated.SheisChustaffus’sdaughter,afterall.
“ButknowingnowthatRachelisDuncan’sshieldleadsmetobelievethatDuncanpossessesan
ability,maybeyetundiscovered,thatYolantheisafter.”HeshiftedtomeetDuncan’sgaze.“Wouldyousay
that’saccuratebasedonthetimeyouspentwithher?”
SantiagocalledoutinhisLatinaccent.“Whatdoyoumean,timespentwiththewoman?Ithoughtyou
wereinthehospital?”
“Iwasphysicallyinthehospital,butYolanthekeptmyattentionfixedonherthroughtheuseofaThird
Earthvoyeurwindow.”
“Shit.”Endelledrewthewordoutasthoughithadthreesyllables.
DuncanaddressedMerl,“Maybeyoucanexplainhowthewindowworked.”
AlleyesonceagainshiftedtoMerl,butheshrugged.“Ihavenoidea.Idon’thavethatabilityandI
don’tknowanyonewhodoes.Butagainit’sonehelluvaanindicationhowmuchpowerYolanthehasand
why,ifshewantsRacheldead,she’sgoingtokeepsendingwreckerstochaseherdown.”
Whenmorequestionscameup,Duncan,MerlandEndelletookpainstoanswereachone,fleshingout
asmanydetailsaseachcould.
Whentherewerenomorequestions,Endellesaid,“Sothere’ssomethingelseIneedtotellyou.”
Onceagain,theroomfellsilentandeverypairofwarriors’eyesshottoEndelle.
Shesighedheavily,thensaid,“Ihadavision.”
~~~
Rachelworkedhardtoprocesseverythingthatshe’djustheard,especiallythehorrifyingdetailsof
Endelle’svision.She’dneverheardoftheSupremeHighAdministratorofSecondEarthevenhaving
visions.Although,she’dalsomentionedthatreceivingthevisionhadfeltasthoughithadbeenpressedon
herinawaythatdidn’tsoundverySeer-like.
ThatthevisionhadincludedDuncaninasignificantwaywasonemoreindicationthathewouldplay
aprominentroleinthecomingdays,weeks,maybeevenmonths.
Andshewashisshield.
Great.
Asthemeetingbrokeup,thewarriorsgatheredinsmallerknotstodiscussthingslikestrategyand
hurryinguptheproductionofwreckersawed-offshotgunsandaccompanyingammo.Allengagedinthe
discussionexceptLuken,whowenttocheckonthesteakshehadgrilling.He’dfoldedmorethanonce
duringthemeetingtodojustthat.
WithDuncanengagedindeepconversationwithSantiago,whocreatedallkindsofweaponsasa
hobby,aswellasZacharius,Rachelpulledawayfromthegatheredwarriorsandmovedslowlyintothe
entryway.Thefrontdoorwasopentoallowbeestopollinatetheflowersthatbloomedallovertheliving
sculptureonthecentraltable.Thefreshairfeltgood.
Therewassomuchbeautyinallthedimensionsofearthandthoughshe’donlybeengonefromthe
Seattlecolonyforafewhours,shealreadymissedhergarden.
Butthoughtsofthecolonybroughtthememoryfloodingbackofseeingsevenextremelypowerful
warriors,builtjustlikeDuncanandtheothers,firingather.Andtheblastmusthavedonesomedamageto
herbackyard.
Shefelthorriblyconfused.Shehadonlyonerealgoal,toreturntoherhome.Beyondthat,shedidn’t
wanttobepartofthewar,noteventoserveassomekindofThirdshieldforthemanofthehour.
Merldrewclose.“It’samagnificentsculpture.”
“Yes,byoneofouraward-winninghorticulturalartists.Ithinkshe’scalledTazianne.”
Afteramoment,heaskedquietly,“Areyouokay?Thishasbeenalottotakein.”
Wassheokay?Hell,no.Shewantedtolashout,toyellatMerl.Maybethiswashisfault.Afterall,
he’dcomefromThirdEarthandhadbeenhidingoutonSecondforfiftyyearsifshe’dunderstoodhis
historycorrectly.
Instead,sheforcedherselftoberationalassheresponded,“I’mfine.I’lladjust.”Thensheturned
towardhim.“Actually,youmightbeexactlywhatIneedrightnow.”
“Anythingyouwant,ascender.”Thegrinheofferedhermadeherrollhereyes.
Butshe’dbeenaroundwarrior-typesmostofherlife,allverymuchlikeherbrotherGideonwhohad
becomeaMilitiaWarriorshortlyafterascending.So,shedidn’ttakeMerltooseriously.
Sheresponded,“Spokenlikeamanoratleastawarrior.Thethingis,Ihavenointentionofjustlying
downforthisprincess-bitchsoI’dlikeyoutoteachmehowtofireawreckinggun.ThenIwanttokeep
oneofthosegunsinmypossessionforthenexttimetheseThirdEarthassholesdecidetobustintomy
garden.”
Hetookastepcloser,apparentlyunwillingtosurrenderthefieldsoquickly.“Again,anythingyou
need,I’myou’reman."
Sheknewhewasteasing,buthiswordsandattitudewerereallyunfortunatebecauseshecaughtsight
ofDuncannottenfeetaway.Duncan’sgreeneyeshadturneddarkwithrage.Shefeltthebreh-hedden
sizzleintheairashelaunchedatMerl,slamminghimagainstthefarwall,adjacenttotheopendoorway.
Hemighthavehadtheadvantageofsurprise,butMerlhadbeenawarriorandhistruenaturekicked
intohighgear.AsDuncanroseoffofhim,fistsup,Merlshotupright.
BeforeDuncancouldblink,Merlhadgotteninanuppercuttohisjaw,throwingDuncan’sheadback.
Themomentumofthehit,lacedasitwaswithMerl’sThirdEarthability,threwDuncanovertheopen
frontdoorthreshold,allthewayacrossthepatio,andontothelawn.
“Fight!”Zachariusshouted.
Thesoundsofabrawl-in-progressbroughtallthemenandawild-eyedEndelleflowingoutthedoor.
Rachelwasn’ttoofarbehindbecauseshe’dcaughtDuncan’sciderscentandthebreh-heddenhadher
initsgripalloveragain.Forsomereason,shelikedthathe’dgonecaveman.
Merlhadn’texactlywonfriendswithhisflirt-with-anythingattitudeandthebrotherhoodcheeredtheir
latestmemberon.
WhenDuncanstoppedforabreatherandMerlfollowedsuit,Rachelcouldn’ttakehereyesoffher
breh.Helookedmagnificentwithhiseyesonfire,hismusclespumpedforfighting,andhisscentwafting
overherlikealayerofmist.
Thenhemountedhiswingsandthemomenthedid,awholelotofstunnedcursingwentaroundthe
men.Andwhywouldn’ttheybeastounded;Duncan’swingswerenowhuge,biggerthanmost,andthey
werebeautiful.
Rachelputahandtoherchestandforamomentsimplycouldn’tdrawairintoherlungs.Hiswings
werebiggerthanbeforethoughstillgreenlikehiseyesandwithpowerfulblackbandsaroundtheedges.
“Oh,my,”shemurmuredtonooneinparticular.
“Shit,”Endellesaid.“They’realmostasbigasmine.”
Duncan,however,shoutedatMerl.“Yougivingup,Thirdascender?”
Merl,bloodpouringfromhismouth,hunchedhisshouldersinresponseandstrippedoffhisredsilk
shirt.“Likehell.”
Histurntomountandwithinthreeseconds,hismassiveblackwingswithrowafterrowofsoftviolet
bandscausedanotherseriesofexclamationstoflowaroundthewarriors.
Andofcourse,anairbattlewasawholenewballgame.
Lukenarrivedsuddenly.“Whatthehellisthis?I’llhavesteaksreadyinaboutthreeminutes.”
Endellechortled.“MerlmadeapassatRachelandDuncansawit.”
“Holyfuck.Well,then.”HejoinedtheothermenandcheeredasloudasanyofthemasMerland
Duncanflewateachother,wingstuckedtogainspeedforamomentthenunfurlingtodobattle,fistsand
legsflying.
Rachelfeltdizzyinpartbecauseshewasbreathingwaytoohard.Butshewasalsocaughtupin
trackingthemen.Duncanbrokefreeandwheeledawaytogainaltitude.
Merlflappedinsuchawaythatheremainedinoneplace,whilehewatchedDuncancomeathimfrom
ahigherpositionatfullspeed.Hiswingsdidakindofrotatingflipthatdrewhimasideatthelast
moment.Atthesametime,hecaughtDuncanhardintheback,withhisfoot,asheflewby.
Duncanwasonlytenfeetabovethegroundwhenhecaughthimselfwithhiswingsatfull-mountand
stoppedfromplowingintothelawn.
RachelhardlysawMerl.Hereyestrackedherman,andhewasglorious.Heflappedslowlyatfirst
thenfasterandoncemorewentatMerl.ButthistimeheknewtheThirdascender’strickandadjustedso
thathecaughtMerl’sleftwing.
Theensuingandveryloudsnapcausedallthewarriorstogroanloudly.
Buttoeveryone’ssurprise,Merlkeptflyingeventhoughpartofonewingdangled.TheThirdascender
wasusinglevitationtostayintheair!
RachelcouldseethatDuncannowhesitatedbecauseofMerl’sbrokenwing.Thatkindofdamage
donetoaSecondascenderwouldhavehadhimfallingtoearth.
Itwascleartoher,however,thatMerlwasn’tgivingup;thewarriorwaspissed.
Thiswasn’tgood.
Withoutgivingitasecondthought,shestrippedoutofherdressandbraandpreparedtomount.She
wasn’tasquickasthesetwomeninreleasingherwings,soittooktimeforthemeshtoriseandthe
swellingofherbacktocomplete.
Thentherushcame,atinglingthroughherentirebodysoclosetothefeelingofsexthatherbreath
caught.Beforesheflappedherwings,however,shebroughtforwardtheshieldingpower.Sherose
straightupintotheair,nakedexceptforherredthong,andheadedstraightforDuncanasfastasshecould.
Merlflewattopspeedaswell,wingsatclose-mount.HewasaimingrightforDuncanfromahigher
altitude,rageoneveryfeatureofhisface.Hehadtobeinanenormousamountofpain,butstillhepressed
on.
Atthelastmoment,beforethecollisioncouldhappen,shetackledDuncanaroundthewaist,pushing
himbackwardseveralyards.Atthesametime,shelethershieldingpowerflow.
“Whatthehell!”Duncanshouted.Hecaughtheraroundthewaist.“Whatareyoudoing?”
Glancingoverhershoulder,shewatchedMerlscrambleintheair,turninginacircle,huntingfor
Duncan.
BacktoDuncan,shesaid,“WhatamIdoing?Stoppingthefight,idiot.Andunlessyouwanteveryone
seeingmebare-breasted,you’dbetterreturnmetothepatiowhereIleftmydress.Otherwise,I’llletthe
shieldgothenallthesewarriorswillgetaneye-full.”
Duncanwasbreathinghard,hiseyeswild.Butwhenhisgazelandedonherbreasts,shewatchedhis
attentionfinallyshiftfromMerltoher.
Suspendedinmidairwithhiswingsflappingandholdingthembothinplace,hetookseveraldeep
breaths.Shecouldseehewasattemptingtocomposehimself.Battleadrenalinedidn’tleavethebody
easily.
Withhiswingswaftingandherownbarelymoving,heleanedintoherandkissedher.Hishandsliding
overherbreastandfondling.Anditfeltdamngood,toogood,shake-up-her-lifegood.
“Rachel.Ineedtotakeyoutobed.”
“ButwhatwereyouthinkingattackingMerllikethat?”
“Iwasn’t.Besides,thebastarddeservedit.”
Shedidn’teventrytoanswerthatonesincetosomedegree,Duncanwasright.Merlknewbetter,but
he’dflirtedwithheranyway.
Duncanfinallyfloatedthemdowntothelawn.Drawinginhiswingsandgivinghertimetodothe
same,heheldherhandasheledherbacktothepatio.
Becauseshekepthimshielded,theywereabletoblowrightpastthewarriors.Notoneofthemturned
inherdirection;clearlyhershieldheld.Sheheardtheconfusedchatterthatwentsimilartowhathad
happenedinthehallwaybehindthemed-bay:wherehadthetwoofthemgone?
Endellehadofcourseturnedintheirdirectionandsaid,“Why’dyoustopthekiss,nottomentionthat
veryniceboob-in-the-handfeel-up?Iwouldhaveenjoyedsomein-airaction.”
Rachelshookherheadbutrefusedtotakehercommentseriously.Instead,shesuggested,“Maybeyou
shouldcallHoracebecauseIsuspectMerlisgoingtobeinsomeseriouspain,ifheisn’tfeelingit
already.”
Endellegrimacedbutpulledherphonefromherbustierandmadethecall.
Rachelputherbrabackon,thenherdress.
“Hey,”Duncansaid.“We’restillcoveredbyyourshieldbutyouweren’ttouchingmeatallwhenyou
gotdressed.Ithoughtmaybewehadtobetouching,orsomething.”
Shelookedathimandheldherhandswide.“Iknow.AndnowI’mwonderinghowfarIcanstretch
this.”Shestartedbackinguptowardthefrontdoorandtheshieldheldwiththefirststep,thesecond,and
eventhethird.Butatthetwoyardpointshecouldfeelherpowerbegintothin.Asshekeptmoving,the
shieldfinallyjustdissipatedcompletely.
“Hey,DuncanisherewithRachel,”Santiagocalledout.“Bythedoor.”
~~~
Endelledidn’thavealotofhopefulmomentsinherlife.Mostly,shewentfromonedisastertothe
next,tryingnottofallintoaholeandgetstuckthere.Butrightnow,becauseofwhatRachelhadjustdone
–thewomanwhorefusedtobepartofthewar–shefelthopeful.
She’dhadanightmareofavisionthatallbutpredictedbothLukenandDuncan’sdeathsaswellasthe
shiftingofthewartoadisastrousconclusion.
Buteverytimethebreh-heddenshowedup,somethingmiraculoushappened.
Andthatgaveherhope.
HoracearrivedinthevillafoyerbeyondDuncanandRachel.Duncanturnedtowardhimandgestured
inthedirectionofthewarriorscrowdedaroundMerl.TheThirdascendersatwithhiskneesonthegrass,
breathinghard,hiscomplexionpale.Thegossamerwebthatbothcreatedthefeathersthenexploded
throughthewing-locks,hurtlikethedevilwhenbroken.
ThatsnaphadcausedEndelletocringeinwardly.Evenpluckingthefeathershurt,somethingshedidin
frontofotherascendersjusttounsettletheroomandgiveheranadvantage.ButMerlhadhisThirdEarth
abilitiesandhewouldhealquicklyenough.FasterwithHorace,ofcourse.
Shehadsometoughdecisionscomingupandoneofthemshe’dalreadymade.Butnowshehadto
informtherecipientanditwouldn’tbepretty.
WhenLukenheadedinthedirectionofAntony’spooltocollectthegrilledsteaks,shefollowedafter
him,thoughmovingslowlysoshedidn’tcatchuprightaway.Sheneededherheadonstraightforthisone
andsheknewjusthowmuchwhatsheintendedtotellLukenwouldgrievehim.
He’dloseregularcontactwithHavily,foronething.
Andhe’dhavetogiveuphisleadershipoftheWarriorsoftheBloodforanother,somethingEndelle
knewhevaluedimmensely.Andhe’dbeendamngoodatitespeciallywithsomanyMilitiaWarriors
risinginpowertowardWhat-Beelevels.
Hislikelydeath,however,wassomethingEndellecouldn’tshareandherthroattightened.
Sometimeslifewasonefuckedupshitfestafteranother.
Shecouldsmellthesteaksandhowtheywerecharredjustright.Herstomachgrowled.
Hesawhercomingandhisusualsmilefaltereduntilhewasfrowning.Yep,heknewherwell,andthat
shewouldn’thavecomebackhereforasocialvisit.
Hehadaplatterontheadjacentcounter,wherehebeganstackingupthesuper-sizedribeyes.“There’s
beenonlyonetimeinrecentmemorythatyouworethatkindofexpression,”hesaid.“Fionawasonher
kneesnexttoacagethatheldarealbastardofaprisonerandshestartedrecitingthenamesofhundredsof
bloodslaves.”Heslidalong,two-prongforkintoanothersteakandstackeditontheothers.“Youhave
thesamelookrightnowthatyouhadthen,asyoukneltbesideher,soI’mthinkin’thiscan’tbegood.”
Forallhisbeefiness,andtheappearanceofbeingnothingbutmuscle,Lukenhadbothafinemindand
aperceptivenessthatmadeherjobbotheasierandharder.“IneedyoutoresignasleaderoftheWarriors
oftheBlood.”
Hepaused,staringinthedirectionofthepoolbuthisgazehadclearlylandedonnothinginparticular.
Helookedlikeshe’dpunchedhiminthegut.“Why?”
Nowthatwastheexactquestionshecouldn’tanswer.Whatwouldshesay?‘BecauseIhadavision
youweregoingtodie,soI’msendingyoutoyourdeath.’
Instead,shetoldtheotherpartofthetruth.“BecauseIneedyoutoformaspecialopsteam,andtolead
thatteam.You’llbeheadingtoThirdwithDuncan.”
Hefrowned.“Shit.”
Headdedthelastofthesteakstotheplatteranddidn’tsayanythingmoreasheheadedtothedoorthat
ledinside.
Endellemovedforwardquickly,holdingthedoorforhim.Throughthelonghall,shecouldseethat
someofthemenhadalreadyclusteredinthekitchen.Medichiwasscoopingseveralquartsofpotato
saladintoalargeceramicbowl.HehadsomeofhisfamousLimoncellothatSantiagopouredintosmall
glassesandpassedaround.Rachelwashuntingforlinensandsilverware.
Thevillawasoftentheoff-hourscenterforthebrotherhoodthesedays,especiallyifwomenwere
involved.Parisa,Medichi’sbreh,hadmadeitahabittoinviteallthemenandthebondedwomenover
oftenjusttosocialize.Parisawouldbeherenow,aswell,butapparentlyshewasatVela’shouse,
mentoringher,maybe.
Endellehadreceivednumerousinvitationsoverthemonthstojoinin,butsheunderstoodquitewell
thatherpresencecausedakindofstressthatdidn’thelphermen.Sosherarelyattended.
LukenhandedtheplatterofsteakstoAntony.Hedidn’tgointothekitchen,however,butremained
withEndelle.Sheledhimintoasmall,nearbygardenroomthathadaviewofthefrontlawnandtheolive
grovebeyond.
Lukenshiftedtofaceher,hisbacktothekitchen.“Andwhatexactlyisthespecialopsteamsupposed
todo?”
“Idon’tknowexactly,andMerlwillbeontheteamaswell,thoughIhaven’ttoldhimyet.Butfor
starters,RachelwillneedtobeprotectedaswellasDuncan.
“You’lltrainwiththewreckinggunsandMerlcanteachallofyouwhatyouneedtoknowaboutthe
darkeninggrid.Rachelhasalreadyaskedhimtoteachherhowtofireawreckinggun.”
Atthat,themulishlooktoLuken’sjawlefthim.“Shedid?”
“She’snotanidiot;thewomanknowsshe’sintrouble.She’sagoddamtarget,forChrist’ssake.”She
shookherhead.“ButIknowfromthevisionthatthedarkeninggridwon’tbetheendpoint.Theaction
willbeonThird.”
“Didyouseethisteaminyourvision?”
Sheshookherhead.“No,notexactly.MostlyjustDuncan.TheteamismyideabasedonwhatIthink
couldheadoffdisaster.Butthereisajobtodo,somethingthatmustbedoneifwe’retosaveSecond
Earth.”
Lukenloweredhisvoice,thesoundheartbreakinginthesmallspace.“I’vebeenfeelingitforaweek
orsothatsomethingwascoming.ButIneverthoughtitwouldbeaboutThirdEarth.Endellewhatareyou
tellingme?AmInotcomingbackbecauseIwouldsweartoyouthatI’mnotinaprocessofascensionto
Third.”
Movingfromdimension-to-dimensionwasthenaturalorderofthings,butusuallyinvolvedacallto
ascension,sosheunderstoodLuken’squestionextremelywell.Ifhe,oranyoftheteamforthatmatter,
weren’tinaprocessofascension,thenwhyweretheygoingtoThirdEarthatall?
ThevisionofLukenfallingtoearthfromhighupintheatmospherehitheroncemoreandtoreather
heartalloveragain.Howcouldhesurvivesuchafall?
Butstill,sheansweredwithjustanedgeofhope,“IsweartoyouthatIdon’tknow.Idon’tknowwhat
thefutureholds.”Sheshookherheadseveraltimes,herthroattight.“Ijustdon’tknow.”
“Jesus,Endelle,you’rescaringtheshitoutofme.”
Buthisresponsemadeuphermindtoforgetaboutthatpartofthevisionandtoacttothecontrary,to
believethathewouldmakeitbackalive…somehow.“Stoplookingatmelikethat.Idon’thaveallthe
answers.Ineverdid.I’mjusttheoldestassholeonthisplanetsoI’mstuckwiththisfuckedupjob.And
I’veneverhadavisionbeforesoIdon’texactlyknowhowtointerpretanyofthisshit,gotit?”Herhair
startedwrithingoncemore.
Heliftedbothhands.“Okay.Fine.Gotit.”
MedichicalledthemtodinnerandEndelleleftLukenwith,“Stickclosebecausewe’regettingthis
goingrightaway.There’snodoubtinmymindthatYolantheisalreadyplottinghernextmove.”
CHAPTERTHREE
Thepathoftheriveralters
Whenthestormcomes.
CollectedProverbs–BeatriceofFourth
Lukenatehissteakinsilence,laughingperfunctorilytoSantiago’sjokeseventhoughthebrotherhad
Rachelintearsshewaslaughingsohard.
AntonysatnexttoLukenandelbowedhimsoftly.“You’requiet.”
Lukenlookedathim,holdinghisgaze.“I’mscrewed.We’vegotanewplanhatchingandI’llbe
headingtoThird.”
“Noshit?”
Lukennoddedandslicedoffanotherbiteofsteakthathesimplycouldn’ttaste,notevenalittle.“A
specialopsteam,theobjectiveasyetundefined.”
“Well,Ihopeyouwon’tbeworkingwithMerl.Thatbastardbugstheshitoutofme.”Endellesatat
theheadofthetable,herbacktothewindowandMerlwasonherright,stillchattingherup.
“I’moutofluckonthatfrontaswell.”
“Aw,well,you’refucked,then.”
“That’sokay.IthinkI’lljustkillhiminhissleepandbedonewithit.”
Medichilaughed,asoundthateasedLuken.
Afterthemeal,whenMedichibroughtoutcoffeeandbaklava,Endellelettheminonhernew
directive.Whenshewasfinished,alleyesfellonLuken.Heknewheneededtosaysomething,butwords
wouldn’tcome.
He’dbegoingtoThirdandhedidn’thavealotofconfidencethathe’dbecomingback.
Zachariussummeditup.“I’mgettingsickofallthischange.”
Agrumblingranaroundthetable.
EndellethenturnedtoRachel.“You’llbeontheteamaswell,missy,sinceyou’reDuncan’sshield.”
Lukenjustshookhishead.HelovedEndelleformanyreasons,oneofwhichwassimple:Endellewas
willingtodieforSecondEarth.Butherpeopleskillssucked.Shewasalsothefirsttoadmitit,which
wasonemorereasonhelovedher;thewomandidn’thesitatetoadmitherfailings.
Rachelroseandstareddownatthewomanwiththescorpionshoesthatjangledevennow.Sheheld
outherhandandthenextmomentagardeningclaw,withthreesharpprongs,appearedinherpalm.
SheheldthetoolupforEndelle’sinspection.“I’llmakeyouadeal;I’lljointheteamthedayyou
shovethisupyourass.How’sthat?”
Thetablefellsilentexceptforanalmostuniformintakeofbreathfromeverywarriorpresent.
Racheldidn’twaitforaresponse,either,butmovedintotheadjacentfoyerthenoutthefrontdoor.
Endelle,notsurprising,followedafterher,themetalscorpionsonherstilettosmakingclipped,
rhythmicnoisesinresponsetoherquickstride.
Lukenroseaswellandaskedeveryonetolethimhandlethis.Hedidn’tgetasingleprotest.
Thewomenstoodoutonthelawnfacingeachother.HeheardEndelleshout,“Why,youfuckingprima
donna,sittingoutthewarbecauseyoudon’twanttogetyourhandsdirty.Wellletmetellyousomething
—”
Rachelhadtearsonhercheeks,herarmscrossedoverherstomachasshecutEndelleoff.“I’mnot
servingonanygoddamteam.I’mgoingbacktoMortalEarthtolivemylife.Youcan’tmakemedothis.I
won’tdoit.”
LukenfeltEndellewindingupforashout-down,soheputonsomespeed.Hecaughtherelbow,
turninghertofacehim.“Hey,letmehandlethis.”
Endellewasinastate,herfacered,hairwrithing.“YouknowIcan’tstandanyonewhowon’tfaceup
totheirduty.Ihatethataboveanything.So,letgoofme.RachelneedstohearwhatIhavetosay.”
Lukenmaintainedhisholdonherarm.“No.Notuntilyouhearmeout.”
Endelle’swoodedeyesflashedfire.“You’dbettertalkfastorIwillpulverizeyournutswithboth
handsanddon’tthinkIwon’tdoit.”
“Fine,butletmeaskyouthis:Didyouordidyounotjustputmeinchargeofthisteam?”
Shegroundherjaw.“Idid.”
“Thenletmerunit.”
“Butshe—”
Heturnedhertowardhimandgrippedbothofherarmsgentlybutfirmly.“Iknow,butyou’renot
helping.Andyoucan’tbrowbeatanyoneintoservice.That’snothowitworks.Wecomewillingly.We
choosetoserveornottoserve.Period.”
“ButI’mjustsomad.”AndsuddenlytearswereonEndelle’scheeksaswell.Somethingthatnever
happened.Hernextwordswerecryptic.“Oh,Luken,notyou.”
Shelostherstilettosandthenextmomentshethrewherarmsaroundhisneckandheheldherfast.
Whodidthewomanhaveinherlifetoofferhercomfort?Merl?Notlikely.Essentially,shehadnoone
andthiswastheleasthecoulddo.
Butshe’dalsojustconfirmedhissuspicionthatEndelleknewtheThirdEarthteamwasaoneway
ticketforhimandhisthroattightened.
HismindslidbacktobeinginHavily’sofficeandhavingaterriblefeelinghewouldn’tbeseeingher
again.Thefriendshiphe’denjoyedwithher,eventheunrequitednatureofhisfeelingsforher,hadcome
toanend.
Rachelwasquietnow,havingmovedafewfeetawaytopalmtearsoffherface.
Afteralongmoment,Endellepulledoutofhisarms.“SorryIlostmyshit.”
“You’reallowed.”
Shepattedhischest.“Don’treadtoomuchintoanyofthis.LikeZach,I’msickofallthischange.”
“Iwon’t.So,willyouletmeruntheteamthewayIwantto,thewayIfeelI’llneedto?”
“Ofcourse.WhatdoyouthinkIam?Amoron?”
Heshrugged.“Sometimes.”
Atthat,shelaughedandfoldedacoupleoftissuesintoherhandandwipedherface.Shefoldedafew
moreandclosedthedistancetoRachel,handinghertherest.“I’mturningyouovertoLuken.And…I’m
sorryforbeingsuchapain.”
Rachellookedstunned,herblueeyeswide.Sheoughttobe.Lukencouldn’trememberthelasttime
Endelleapologizedforanything.
Straighteninghershoulders,Endellesaid,“I’mheadinghome.I’mgoingtosoakinacoolbathand
drinklotsoftequila.”
BeforeLukencouldsayanythingelse,Endelleliftedherrightarmandvanished.
HedrewclosetoRachel.“I’msorryaboutallthat.Shemeanswell.”
“Iknowshedoes,andIadmirehercommitmenttoourworld,butshe’sjustsofreakinghardtotake.”
Shepursedherlips.“Thethingis,Luken,I’mserioushere.I’mnotgoingtoserveonthisteam.”
“Listen,Idon’twantyoueventhinkingaboutthatrightnow.Wehavesomethingfarmoreimportantto
dealwithandthat’skeepingyousafe.Solongasthiswoman,Yolanthe,isafteryou,yoursecurityismy
priority.AndIsuggestwestartbytrainingyouwiththewreckerguns.”
Atthat,hereyesbrightened.“That’sexactlywhatItoldMerl.Iaskedhimtoteachme.”
“See,we’realreadyonthesamepage.”Hetookhermeasureandleaningclose,saidquietly,
“Betweenyouandme,I’dmuchrathernothaveawomanontheteam.”He’dsaidthosewordsfora
purposeandthehardlightthatenteredRachel’seyemeantthathe’dgaugedherexactlyright.
“Oh,really.”Sheplantedherhandsonherhips.
Lukenshrugged.“Well,whatdoesitmattertoyou,anyway?Ijustknowthatawomanbringsa
differentkindoftonetoasquadandthatcanmakethings…well…difficult.”
Rachel’slipsgrewcrooked.“You’reyankingmychain,aren’tyou?”
Lukengrinned.“Yes,Iam.”
~~~
Duncanhadafastfoodbagonhislap,curlyfriescoveredwithketchup,andadoublecheeseburger
heldinadeathgripinhisrighthand.He’dneverbeensohungryinhislifeandwasn’tsurehowhisbody
wasmanagingboththesteakandpotatosaladfromthemealatthevillaandnowsomefastfoodthattasted
likeheaven.
HesatoutsideatMilitiaHQwatchingLukenteachRachelhowtofireawreckershotgun.Sheworea
paddedshoulderguardtokeepfromgettingbruisedalltohellandlookedlikeanaturalasshepressedthe
buttagainstthepad,thenfiredwithoutflinching.
Thenoisewasdeafeningeventhoughshehadn’tyetlearnedhowtoaddherpreternaturalpowertothe
shot.Onceshedid,thesizeoftheresultingexplosionwouldaddawholenewdecibeltothemix.
Butrightnow,Duncandidn’tcareaboutthenoiseoranything.Hisbodyhadbeendeprivedoffood,
settinghisdigestiononwarp-speedanddemandingmoreandmore.Hethoughtitpossibleevenhisbones
knewheneededtopackonmoremusclemassbecausehisworldwasindeepshit.
HehadanotherneeddemandingsatisfactionaswellsothathisgazerarelystrayedfromRachel.Her
whitecottondresshungtomid-calfsothatheonlyhadalimitedviewofherankles.Buthismemory
workedjustfineandhekeptflippingmentallythroughtheimagesofthelasttimehe’dmadelovetoher.
Rachellikedtoridehimandhelikedtowatchherbreastsswayingwiththemovement.Hewouldhold
herwaistandhelphersustaintherhythmasshetookpleasurefromhiscock.She’dbringhimlikeastrike
oflightning.
Beyondhishungerandhisneedforsex,however,itbuggedtheshitoutofhimthatLukenkepttouching
her.TherationalpartofhismindunderstoodhownecessaryitwasforLukentoadjusttheangleofthe
weapon,herstance,herholdonthewreckinggun.
Butmorethanoncehe’dshoutedinLuken’sdirectiontogethishandsoffher.
Tohiscredit,theleaderoftheirnewlyformedThird-Earth-boundblackopssquadwouldtossuphis
handsinamotionofsurrenderandstepawayfromRachel.LukenwouldeyehimuntilDuncanhadcalmed
downenoughtolifthischinandallowthepowerfulwarriortocontinue.
Lukenhadbeenthroughthebreh-heddendrillplentyoftimessohegotit.Eightwarriorshadgotten
struckdownbythemyth-that-wasn’t-a-mythandnowitwasDuncan’sturn.
EachtimeheshoutedatLuken,Rachelwouldturntolookathim,butnotindisapproval.Instead,a
flareofherrichgardenscentwouldrollinhisdirectionsothatheunderstoodhewasn’taloneinhisneed.
HekeptenvisioningtakingherbacktohisParadiseValleyhome,andhavingherinhisbed.
Fornow,hetriedtocontrolhisimpulsetobeattheshitoutofLuken.Butthatmadehimsmile.He
knewdamnwellLukenwouldbethevictorevenifDuncanhadincreasedWarrioroftheBloodpower.
DuncanlikedandtrustedLuken.HehadallthemusclemassofHercules,butthesoulofasaint.His
long,blond,wavyhairhungfromhiscadroeninahorse-likemasshalfwaytohiswaist.Becausethe
battlevestonlyhadasingleleatherstripdownthebacktoallowforwing-mount,thesheerbreadthof
Luken’sshouldersmadeDuncanshakehishead.
Needlesstosay,LukenhadallthetailhecouldwantattheBloodandBite,theMortalEarthclub
Endellehadinstitutedforallthewarriors.Andwomenflockedtohim.
Anothershotshatteredtheairwaves.
Duncantookathirdandfourthbiteoneaftertheother.
AtleastMerlwasn’taround.Duncandidn’tthinkhecouldhavehandledthatbastardnearRacheleven
thoughMerlhadthegreaterexperienceasawrecker.
ButLukenhadbeenoneofthegroupthathadhelpedSamuelandVelarescueDuncanfromSharav’s
torturecell,sothewarriorknewwhathewasdoing.Lukenhadalsobeenpracticingforthepasttwo
weekswiththeweaponsandhelpingSantiagoandhiscrewdevelopwreckergunsoftheirown.
Theeventsofthepastthreeweeks,fromthetimeSharavhadabductedDuncan,hadleftnoonein
doubtthatthemodifiedshotgunswereanecessaryweaponmovingforward.
AvoicecalledoutfromthebuildingbehindDuncan,somethirtyyardsaway“Soyou’rereallyback?”
DuncanturnedaroundandtherewasthewarriorwhohadsavedhisassfromSharav.
“Samuel!”heshoutedinreturn.Hehadn’tseenhimsincebeforetheabductionfromNewRiver.He
settheremnantsofhisburgeronthefries,roseup,andsettledthebagonthechair.
FromthetimeDuncanhadrescuedSamuelfromadecadeoftorture,alsoatSharav’shand,thewarrior
hadbecomeagoodfriend,someoneDuncantrustedwithhislife.
Hemethimhalfwaybetweenhiscampchairandthearmory.Ahugfollowedaccompaniedbya
tighteningofDuncan’sthroat.“Thankyou,”hesaid,grippingSamuelhard,poundinghisbackwithhisfist.
Pullingback,heshookhisheadrepeatedly.“IheardwhatyouandVeladidforme.HowthehellamIever
goingtorepayyou?”
Samuel’ssmilewascrooked.“Haveyouforgottenthatyourescuedmefromadecadeunderthatsame
bastard’sthumb?”
“Yeah,IguessIdid.Imean,yes,ofcourse.”
Duncanstaredathimforalong,longmomentandSamuelreturnedthefavor.Theywerebrothers-in-
armsandhadbeenthroughhell,asharedexperiencethathadbroughtthemevencloser.
“So,you’reaWarrioroftheBloodnow,”Duncansaid.
“IamandIhavetosaythepowerboostrocks.IcankillmoredeathvampireswhenI’mbattlingand
thatmeanseverythingtome.Butwhatthehellisgoingonwithyou?Iheardyou’veadvancedupthefood-
chainaswell.”
Duncannodded.“Lookslikeit.”
Samuelclappedhimontheshoulder.“Excellent.WecoulduseyouattheBorderlands.”
Duncanfeltsuddenlysomberastherealityofhisnewpathhithimhard.“Iwon’tbestayinghere.”
“Waitaminute,areyouheadedintotheThirdEarthdarkeninggrid?Doyouwantmeonboard?”
DuncanturnedtoglanceinLuken’sdirection.“He’sinchargeofthesquad,butitwon’tjustbethe
darkening.Lookslikewe’regoingtoThird.”
“Whatthehellfor?Becauseyou’retalkingThirdEarthdeathvampiresandI’veheardthey’realmost
impossibletobeat,evenforaWhat-Bee?”
Anotherquestiondujour.“Well,itseemsHerSupremenesshadavision.”
“Wait,youmeanEndellehadavision?NotoneofherSeers?NotMarguerite?”Margueritewasthe
mostpowerfulSeeronSecondEarth.
Duncanshookhishead.“No,thiswasallonher.Inthevision,shesawbothLukenandmedoingbattle
onThird.Sowe’regoing.”
“Thisissomefuckedupshit.”Samuel’sgazeslidpastDuncan.“AndwhatisGideon’ssisterdoing
here?Isshepartofthesquad,too?”
Rightinthatmoment,Duncanfeltcompletelysplit.Thebreh-heddenkepthiminapowerfulprotective
modeaboutthewomansothatthelastthinghewantedwasforRacheltobeplacedinanymoredanger
thanshealreadywas.Beingonasquadwouldputhersquareintheenemy’ssights.
Ontheotherhand,hisguttoldhimshe’dplayacriticalroleinthecomingdaysandweeks,especially
servingashisshield.JustasSamuelhadsaid,asasquadthey’dbeupagainstThirdAscendersandwould
needeverypoweravailabletothemandthatmeantRachel’sshieldingcapacity.
“Endellewantsherserving,butI’mtorn.”
Samuelnudgedhimwithhiselbow.“Heardit’sthebreh-hedden.”
DuncansighedandoncemoreshookhisheadasherevertedhisgazetoRachel.Lukenmusthavebeen
talkingtoheraboutherstance,becauseshekeptlookingdownandadjustingherfeet.“It’s…
overwhelming.”
WhenSamueldidn’trespond,Duncanturnedtolookathimandsawthathewasgrinning.
Duncanrespondedwiththefirstwordsthatcametomind.“Oh,fuckyou.”
Samuellaughed.“Hey,it’sreallytoughatfirst,allthisintimacyandsensation.Butyougetusedtoit.
Youevencometolikeit.”
Duncannarrowedhisgaze.“Canyoufeelherrightnow?I’veheardonceyoubondyoucansensewhat
yourwoman’sexperiencingorsomesuchshit.”
HewatchedthestrangestlightenterSamuel’seye,love,maybe.“Rightnow,she’sinourkitchen,
baking.Parisaiswithher.”
Duncangrewveryuncomfortableandhisfather’smisogynisticwordscamebacktohimasaconstant
reminder:womenareforfucking,nothingmore.
Clearly,Samueltookadifferentview.
Duncan’sgazeslidtoRacheloncemore.Lukenheldtheweaponnow,demonstrating.Shehadher
handsonherhips,herneckarchedforwardslightly,herlong,blondcurlyhairinbeautifulwavesdown
herback.Hischestfeltabsurdlyfulljustlookingather.
Butthenhe’dknownRachelalongtime.He’dmetherduringhermarriagetoGrieg,oneofhis
father’ssquadmembers,amanwhohadhurtRachelbadly.
Duncan’shistorywithRachelwaslongandcomplicated,fullofincrediblememoriesthatdid
constitutelove.Butthey’dhadanequalnumberofdisagreementsthatledtoseriousdisputesaboutwhat
kindoflong-termrelationshipthetwoofthem,sodifferentintheiressentiallifegoals,couldeverhave
together.
ForDuncan,nothingaboutRachelwassimple.
Afterafewminutes,SamueloncemorecongratulatedDuncanonbreakingoutofthetranceandof
risingtoWhat-Beestatus.Hethentookoff;Gideonwantedhiminthetrainingcenterforthenextfew
hours.
~~~
TheentiretimeRachelhadbeenlearninghowtofirethewreckinggun,she’dbeenfullyawareof
Duncansittingtwentyfeetaway.Themanwasstarvedfromtwoweeksonacoupleofdripsandafeeding
tube,soofcoursehewaspoundingdownaburgerandfries.
Butthewayhelookedatherkeptherabdomentighteningandreleasingandapparentlyinconstant
expectationoffulfillment.
Theforeplayinthehallbehindthemed-bayhadn’thelpedatall.Hermindkeptreturningtothefeelof
hisbodypressedagainsthers,histongueinhermouth,hiscocktryingtopushbetweenherthighs.The
latterhadbeenachallengewithbothherdressandhisleatherkiltintheway.
WhichmeantthatfromthetimeLukenhadstartedteachingherhowtousethegun,partofhermindhad
becomefixedonDuncan.
Yetsomehow,thathadn’taffectedhershootingabilityatall.Shedidn’tknowwhatitwas,butshehad
theoddestaffinitywiththewreckinggun.
Thoughsheworeathickleatherpadathershoulder,sheachedfromtakingtherecoilinthesame
placeoverandover.Butshesenthealingenergytothemusclesandbonesinaconstantflowandcouldn’t
reallycomplain.She’dalsobecomefullyawarethathermostessentialpowerbasehadsurgedand
whethershewantedtoadmititornot,shewasbecomingevenmorepowerfulthaneverbefore.
Gideonhadonceshoutedather,asbrothersoftendidtoyoungersisters,Youneedtotake
responsibilityforwhattheCreatorhasgivenyou.Todenyyourgiftsisaslapinthefacetoallwehold
dear.
Shehadn’tbeenabletoanswerhimthenandshehonestlydidn’tknowwhattosaynow.Herpersonal
drivetoliveasimplerlife,onethatshe’dbeguntocreateforherselfonMortalEarth,stilllivedwithin
herashermostimportantdesire.
MaybeherattitudetowardpreternaturalpowergenerallywouldbeverydifferentifSecondEarth
hadn’tbeencaughtinawarthathadbeengoingonfromthetimesheandGideonascended.
Shehatedthewarwithapassion,whatitturnedmeninto,likeherex-husband,nowdeceased.He’d
beenamonster,followinginCarlyon’slead,treatingwomenlikedogsthatneededtobekicked.Often.
Lukenhandedherbacktheweaponandsheoncemoreadjustedherstanceandthesetofhershoulders
assheleveledhergazedownthesight.Thetarget,athick,largestackofstrawwithabullseyeonthe
front,askedhertopullthetrigger.
Shesqueezed,thesounddeafeningastheshotgunshellexplodedintothestraw,blowingpieces
everywhere.Shequicklysenthealingenergytoherears.
“Okay,you’vegotalltheessentialsnow.”Lukenheldhergaze,hisblueeyesintense.Hewasan
excellentinstructor.“AndIcansensejusthowmuchrawpoweryouhave.So,whydon’tyoutryusingthat
powerandseewhatawreckerguncanreallydo.”
“YousoundasthoughyouhavenodoubtIhavetheabilitytoaddachargetothegun.”Thewrecker
gunsweredesignedtoacceptanascender’spowerandtheresultingexplosionwasthesoundshe’dheard
whenthewreckershadfiredonherasecondbeforeshe’dfoldedDuncantoHQ.
Wasshereallygoingtodothis?
“Hey,you’rethewomanwithaFourthEarthshieldingability.So,no,Idon’thaveeventhesmallest
doubt.AndGideonalwayssaidthatbetweenyoutwo,youwerethegiftedone.”
Shehuffedasigh.“AndIsupposethenhecomplainedthatIwouldn’tmakewar.”
Lukencaughtherelbow,forcinghertolookathim.Hewasfrowningandseriousashesaid,“Gideon
neversaidanythingaboutyouthatdidn’treflecthowmuchhelovedandadmiredhissister.Andifanyone
disparagedyourabsencefromthewar,hewasalloverthemlikefliesonshit.”
Gideon.Dammit,nowhereyesburned.Whathesaidtoherinprivate,heapparentlyneverstatedin
public.Shelovedherbrothersomuch.They’dcomefromabigfamily,buttheyweretheonlytwooftheir
numbertoascend.
Rachelnoddedandoncemoreleveledtheshotgun.“So,howdoIaccessmypower?”
“Forwhateverreason,Ifindithelpstofocusonmywingsandwhatit’sliketoreleasethem.Thatgets
thepowerflowing.You’llsee.Onceyoudothat,thepowerwilldriftdownyourarmandconnect,thenthe
wreckinggunwilldotherest.”
Racheldrewadeepbreathandcalledtoherwings.Thefamiliaransweringrushofpowerflowed
exactlyasLukenhadsaid.Onlyinsteadofpreppingherwingstorelease,thesamepowerdriftedover
shouldersanddownherrightarm,straighttohertriggerfinger.
Themomentthatpowerconnectedwiththeweapon,shecouldfeelthechargeforminginthegun.
“Wow.”
“Yep,you’vegotit.Nowfire.”
Rachelpulledthetriggerandtheresultingexplosionmadeherjump.Theentiretargetblewapart,
scatteringstrawhighintotheair.
“Ididit.”
Lukenwhoopedloudly.HeturnedtoDuncanandcalledout,“Whatdoyouthinkofyourwomannow?”
Duncangaveashoutaswell.
Sheturnedtohimandsmiled,thensentadditionalhealingtohereardrumsbecausethewreckinggun,
withacharge,wasunbelievablyloud.
Butasshestoodthere,watchingthelastofthestrawsfalltotheground,shefeltalmosteuphoric.
She’daskedtobetrainedontheweaponbecauseshehadanenemythatwantedherdead.Sheneededto
beabletoprotectherself.Butasshestaredattheremnantsofthetargetandsmelledtheburnedstraw,a
windowofunderstandingopenedwhereherbrotherwasconcerned,aswellasDuncanandallthe
warriorsshe’dknown.Thepowersheheldinherhand,thekindofweaponthatmenhadusedfor
hundredsofyears,begantofeelnotlikesomethingexternalbutsomethingthatwaspartofher.She
supposedthishadtobethewaywarriorsfelt,theexhilarationofbeingabletoprotectthemselves,the
onestheyloved,andthelandonwhichtheylived.
Theconceptofthewarbegantoshiftinhermind,ifjustalittlebit.MaybethathadbeenLuken’s
purposeinseparatingherfromEndelle,togethertoaplacewhereshecouldpotentiallyprotectherself
fromtheenemy.
Sheheldtheshotgunatwaistlevelthewaythewreckershaddone,usingthebrutestrengthoftheir
armstosupporttheshotwhentheyfired.Shedidn’thavethatkindofmuscle,butshecouldimaginethe
powereachmanfeltashefacedhisadversary.
Andshelikedit.
Shespentthenexthourreloadingherweaponandfiring.Lukenevenbroughtouthisowncampchair
andsatdownbesideDuncan,lettingherdoherownthing,shotaftershot.Anothercrewkeptpilingup
balesofhayforher.
Witheachshot,asenseofconfidencegrewthatmaybeshewouldn’tbekilledbywreckersafterall.
ThenshetradedplaceswithDuncan.Hehadn’thadtheopportunitytofiretheweaponsyet,andhe
definitelyneededtobeupgraded.
Shesatinthecampchairhe’dvacatedandhadasolidviewofhisbroadshoulders,narrowwaist,and
theblackleatherkiltthathadalwaysturnedheron.Shedidn’tknowwhatitwasaboutamaninakilt,but
thelookwarmedherup.
Sherealizedhiswavy,darkbrownhairwastohisshouldersnowandalmostreadytobeworninthe
cadroen.MostoftheMilitiaWarriorskepttheirhairmilitaryshort,butDuncanhadclearlybeenmoving
inthedirectionoftheWhat-Beesforsometime.AlltheWarriorsoftheBloodhadlonghair.
Shefeltthebreh-heddenmovinginsideher,drivinghertowardDuncaninwaysshe’dneverbefore
experienced.Sure,they’dhadgreatchemistryinthepast.Butthisfeltlikemore,asthoughaspiritual
elementhadcombinedwiththephysicaltomakeherwanthimnotjustwithherbodybutwithhermind
andsoulaswell.
Shefeltaprofounddesiretocoverhim,tospreadherselfontopofhim,palmtopalm,herlegs
balancedonhis,herabdomenconnectedfromherbreaststothetopsofherthighs.
ThiswasDuncan,themanshe’dloveddeeply,foughtwith,yearnedfor.Andnowallthosememories
andsensationsfeltamplifiedinthesamewaythatshecouldexpandthecapacityoftheshotgun.
Shewonderedwhatmakinglovewithhimwouldbelikenow,withhisincreasedpowerandher
apparentemergingabilities.Woulditchangethephysicalnatureoftheirtimetogetherinbed?Thethought
wassointriguingthatdesirebegantorise,aswirlofsensationcompoundedbythesightofhiminhiskilt,
holdingtheguninhandnearhiswaist,andfiringatthetarget.
Hereloaded,butthistimewhenhefiredheaddedhispreternaturalpower.Theexplosionmadeher
jump.
Sheheardhimsay,“Holyshit!”
Hisbackstiffenedsuddenlyandwhenheturnedtostareather,sheknewexactlywhathadhappened;
he’dcaughtherscent,hernew,tell-allolfactorybarragethattoldhimexactlywhatshewasfeeling.
Aboutthreesecondslater,hisansweringresponsehittheairandshefeltstomach-punchedwithhis
spicy-ciderscent.Inaverylanguidway,herkneesparted,justafewinches,buthe’dseenthemovement.
ToLukenstandingnexttohim,hesaid,“We’llpickthisuplater.IneedashowerandIreallyneedto
talksomethingsoverwithRachel.”
Lukennodded.“Yougotit.Justletmeknowwhenyouwanttoresumetraining.”
Sherosetoherfeet,wonderingwhatthehellshewasdoing.Wasshereallygoingtogetsuckedback
intoaphysicalrelationshipwithDuncan,openthatdoor,pokeatthatstupidhornet’snest?
Butashestartedwalkingtowardher,hischinloweredandhisgazefixedonher,sheknewthatwas
exactlywhatshewasgoingtodo.Inothercircumstances,shecouldhavewithstoodthetemptation,butthe
breh-heddenhadhersexinanuproarandsheneededDuncan.Now.
~~~
DuncanwalkedRacheltothelandingplatformsthenfoldedhertohishomeinParadiseValley,straight
tohisbedroom.HehadasmallestatelocatedononeofseverallargelakesinthenorthernpartofMetro
PhoenixTwo.
Thewallsweremadeofroughgraystoneandawaterfalltotherightofthebedkeptthespacehumid,
arelieffromthedrydesertair.
Glancingaround,hesawthathishousekeeperhadbeenthere.Hehadexcellentsupportstaff.
Thehousewasfairlynew,whichmeantthatRachelhadneverseenitbefore.Hewascuriouswhatshe
wouldthink.
Sheturnedinacircle.“Gideonhasstonelikethisinhishouse.Iloveit.”
“Ido,too.”
Shemovedtowardthewindowoverlookingthelake.Thesunwassettingandthewaterreflecteda
layeroforange-violetclouds.Lightsfromafewotherestatescouldbeseeninthedistance.
“Beautifulview,”shesaid.“Butwhatarewedoing?”
“Rachel.”
Sheturnedbacktohim,afrownfurrowingherbrow.
“You’rethinkingaboutthepast,”heoffered,hopinglikehellshedidn’tbailonhim.Hedrewclose
andheldherarmgently.
“Iwishwehadnopasttodealwith,but,Duncan,wereallyshouldn’tbedoingthis.”
Inaswiftflowofimages,herecalledthestrugglesoftheirrelationship.Muchofwhathadgonewrong
wasonhim,butthebreh-heddenhadhiminatightgrip.
Hedrewadeepbreath.“Maybenot,butrightnowIwantyouasthoughmylifedependsonit.”He
leanedcloseandkissedhercheek.
Sheflaredhernostrils,weavingonherfeet.“Yourdarkale-ciderscent.”
“Andyourshasmeinapowerfulgrip.PleasebewithmeRachel.Atleastthisonce.”
Hedrewbackandheldhergaze.Hewatchedhernodslowly.
Heinclinedhisheadtowardthebathroom.“Howaboutashower?”
Still,shehesitated,butheunderstood.Hehadhisissuesandshehadhers.Thebreh-heddenhadn’t
changedanyofthat.Hereleasedherarm,givingherspace.
Finally,shedrewadeepbreathasthoughfirmingupherresolvethenmovedcloseandtookhishand.
Withathought,helosthisuniform.
Shedidthesamesothatbothsetsofclothesnowlayinapilenearthebenchatthefootofthebed.
Leadingherintothebathroom,hementallysetallsevenheadstoflowingasthewaterwarmedup.She
steppedintotheshower,slippedbeneathoneofthetallersprays,andcooedherpleasureasthewater
flowedoverherhead.“Thisiswonderful.JustwhatIneeded.”
Thoughhelongedtotouchher,hehadn’thadapropershowersinceleavingthehospital.Hetookhis
timeandusedalotofsoaptogethimselfclean.
Occasionally,he’dstopandexploreRachel’sbodywithsudsyhandsandshehappilyreturnedthe
favor.
Atonepoint,hespenttimeonherbreastsandhadherpanting;Rachelhadverysensitivenipples.He
suckedonherneckandmoaningfollowed.Whenhesankhistongueinherear,shecriedout.Heknewall
thewaystoworkherbody.
Hiscockwashardasshetookturnswithherownsoapedupfingers,workinghiminsteadypulls.He
leanedhisforeheadagainstherswhileshestrokedandtuggedhiscock.
Heonlymadeherstopwhenhewasclosetoreleasebecausehehadonegoalrightnow:Tofinish
insideher.
Rinsingallthesoapoff,hefinallylefttheshowerandtoweleddry.Racheldidthesame,thentooka
fewminutestoblow-dryherthickhair,gettingmostofthemoistureout.Heknewthatshedidn’tlikedamp
hairhittingthepillow.
Heleftthebathroom,andturneddownthecomforterandtopsheet,lettingbothfallontothebench.
ThesilksheetswerearoyalblueandsoonRachel’sbeautifulblondhairwouldbespreadoutoverthe
silk.Hecouldn’tbelievethishadhappened,thateventshadledRachelbacktohisbed.Heignoredallhis
doubtsaboutwhattheyweredoingandinsteadfocusedsolelyonher.
Hekeptthelightsoffbutdidn’tclosethedrapes.Hewantedaviewofthestarrysky,thedarklakeand
distantlights.Hehadafree-standing,full-lengthmirrorintheroomandbroughtitclosetothebed
becauseRachelhadalwayslikedtowatch.
Sohadhe.
Facingthebathroom,hestretchedoutonhisside,waitingfortheblow-dryertoshutoff.Hiscockwas
half-erect,astateheknewRachelenjoyed.Shewasveryfreeandwouldspendhoursexploringhim,
touching,licking,fondling.Herecalledonesessionafterthey’dgrowncomfortablewitheachother,
wherethey’dspenthourssucklingeachotheratthesametime,bringingeachothertotheedge,pulling
back,drawingthemomentout.
He’dlovedit.
Whenshefinallyappeared,shelookedangelicwithherhairnowathick,wildmassaroundher
shoulders.Heleaneduponhiselbowjusttohaveagood,longlook.Herbreastswereveryfull,
especiallyatthebottom,hernipplespeakedinthecoolair.Shehadanarrowblondlandingpatchandhis
tonguerimmedhislips.God,hewantedher.
“Comehere.”Hisvoicesoundedhusky.
Shesmiledandcrawledacrossthebed.“Youhaveamirror,Isee.Ilikeit.”Whenshereachedhim,
sheslidherhandaroundtohisbuttocks.“Icanwatchmyhandstouchyou.Youhaveagorgeousass,
Duncan,muscularandfirm.”Shefondledhimforatime,thensaid,“Now,rollontoyourback.”
Hewasn’tabouttosaynoandwhathadbeenpartiallyerectnowstoodupforher.Asshestrokedhis
cock,hewatchedherhandsinthemirrorstrokinghim.Hisgazemovedtoherfaceandtoherbreasts.
Shetookportionsofherhair,crisscrossingthemtolaydownherback,otherwisethefallofherhair
wouldblockthesightofwhatsheintendedtodo.
Slowly,sheleaneddownandlickedthecrownofhiscock,flickingaroundthesensitiveedge,then
drawinghimintohermouth.Hegroanedheavilyashewatchedherheadmoveupanddown,herlips
pullingonhim,hermouthsucking.
Heputhishandonherhead,encouragingherandtosomedegreecontrollingher.Shelikedacertain
amountofpressureandrestraint.Herearthygardenscentwasrichinhisnostrils,addingtothepleasure.
Heslidhisfingeralonghercheekandplayedwiththefeelofherlipsonhiscock,sothatattimeshe
touchedhisowncockandthewetnesssheleftbehindasshesucked.
Butagain,hequicklyreachedaplacewherehisballstightened,sohepushedathershouldergently.
“Wait.”
Sheleanedbackonherknees,stillfacingthemirror.
Heroseup,shiftingpositionsuntilhewasbehindher.Hesurroundedherwithhisarmsandheldher
foramoment,meetinghergazeinthemirror.“Ilovethatyou’reherewithme.”
~~~
Yolantheguidedhervoyeurwindowaroundthecouple,lookingatRachelfirstandlustingforher
beautifulbreasts,thenpanningtoseeDuncanfromtheside.She’dbeensoclosetohimforthepasttwo
weekssincehavingsetupherpowerfulmind-linkthatshefeltasthoughhewasbeingunfaithfultoherby
couplingwithRachel.Sheevenfeltalittleheart-achy.
Foolishness,ofcourse.
SheknewthecouplewasatDuncan’slakesidehousebecauseshecouldseethelake.Shewasn’t
stupid.
TheproblemwasfindingtheactualSecondEarthlocationwithintheDarkeningGrid.Itwasn’ta
simpleprocess.Shehadthegridoperatorshuntingevennowforaplacetobustthrough,butitwouldtake
time.Thedarkeninggridhadtremendouspotential,butChustaffushadnotinvestednearlyenoughcapital
togetallthebugsworkedout.
Whiletheoperatorsworkedonherbehalf,shesawnoreasonwhysheshouldn’tengageinalittle
pleasureherself.Besides,shewantedtoseewhatkindofskillsthemanhad.Itwouldmakefora
smoothertransitionwhenDuncanbecameherlover.
Shecalledfortwoofherfavoritesex-slaves,asmallwomanandaverybuilt,warrior-typemale.
Whentheyarrived,shehadthemremoveherclothesslowly,encouragingeachtopetherandkissher.
Theywerewell-trainedandkneweveryeroticplaceonherbody.
Allthewhile,shewatchedhervoyeurwindowandenjoyedthesightofDuncanchangingpositionsas
hemovedbehindRachel.Hepressedhiscockupanddownherbuttocks.Rachel’swing-lockshadbegun
toweepaswell,onemoresignthewomanwasthoroughlyaroused.
Movingtostandinfrontofawall,Yolantheplantedherhandsontherust-and-marbletileforsupport.
Shecommandedthewomanfirst,“OnyourkneesandIwantalotoftonguethistime,notjustsuckling.”
“Yes,Princess.”
Yolanthespreadherlegsandgaspedasthesmall,femininetonguebegantoplaywithherfoldsand
makesmalldabsagainstherclitoris.
Sheinstructedthemaleslavetooilheranusandtouseherwell.Asheobeyedandpenetratedher
withhisfingers,thewomaneasedloweruntilhertonguewasflickingoverheropening.Yolantheonce
moresethergazeonDuncanandRachel.
Duncannowhadthewomanlaidoutonherstomach,herlegsspreadwide,histight,powerful
buttocksandstrongmuscularbackmakingherclench.Howshewantedhim.
~~~
RachelfingeredthecoolsilksheetasDuncansettledhimselfbetweenherlegsfrombehind.Shewas
spreadeagle,veryvulnerableandloveditwhenheplacedahandfirmlyonherback.“You’remine,
Rachel.”
Thatshecouldn’tmove,excitedher.Thathehadcontrolofhermadeherwing-locksweepevenmore.
Hisciderscentintensifiedeverysensation.
“I’mgoingtosuckonyourback,Rachel.Wouldyoulikethat?”
“Yes.”Thewordcameouthoarse.
He’dmovedthemirroruptohershouldersothatshecouldwatchhistongueandhislips.Shewas
breathinghardashefinallydrewclosetoherupperleftlockandswepthistonguetheentirelength.The
lockswereinrowsalldownherbackandduringwing-mount,eachwouldreleaseagossamerwebanda
portionoffeathersthatjoinedtogetherformingamesh-basedsuper-structure.
Butduringsex,thelocksleakedfluidcreatinganothersensual,eroticlayer.Withhislefthand,he
caughtthefluidandusedittomassageallthesensitivelocks.Atthesametime,hesuckedonthefirstlock
tonguingtheapertureuntilshewasgaspingwithpleasure.Gettingtowatchhiminthemirrormadeher
clenchheavilyandthesoundhemadewithhismouthashesuckedbroughtherclosetoorgasm.
Herhipsroseandfellonthebed.
Withhishandstillwetfromthelocks,hereachedfrombehindandslidhisfingersintoherwell.She
groaned.
Hemethergazeinthemirror.“You’reclose,aren’tyou?”
Shenodded,herfaceslidingonthesheet.“Very.”
“Thenletmetakeyouthedistancerightnow.”
Heleaneddownandbegantosuckheavilyonherlockashecontinuedtodrivehisfingersinandout.
Shepantedandcriedout.“Soclose.Duncan,soclose.”
Hemovedfasteranddeeperwithhisfingersandjustlikethatthefirstorgasmwasonher.Pleasure
grippedherandoncemorehercriesfilledtheair.Hekeptsuckingandwhippinghisfingersinandout,
whichdrewtheecstasyonandon,herwellpulsinginexquisitesensation.
Heonlystoppedwhenthelastofhercriesleftherlipsandshelayslackonthebed.“Thatwas
amazing.”
Hewithdrewhisfingersandkissedherbackrepeatedly.“Ilikemakingyoucome.”
Hestretchedoutontopofher,hiscockrigidagainstherbottom.Shecouldhardlywaittofeelhim
insideher.
~~~
YolanthemovedhervoyeurwindowtoDuncan’ships.Shewantedagoodlookathisgenerouscock
andasheroseandfell,notyetpenetratingRachel,shewatchedhimstimulatehersex.Shepulledthehair
oftheslaveinfrontofher.“Faster.”
Tothemanbehindher.“I’mready.”Hepiercedheranuswithhiscockthistimeandshegasped,then
relaxedashebegantodriveinandout.
“Duncan,”Rachelsaid,“Ihavetheoddestfeelingwe’renotalone.”
Yolanthechuckled.ThereweresomanyreasonsshehadtogetridofRachel,hergrowingabilityto
perceiveYolanthe’svoyeurwindowbeingoneofthem.
“Faster,”shecommanded.
~~~
Duncantookamomenttolookaround,toreallysensehissurroundings.“Idon’tseeanyone.Ithink
we’regood.”
HefeltRachelrelaxsoheleaneddownandkissedherneckoncemore.“Iwanttodrinkfromyour
vein,Rachel.”
“I’dlovethat,andI’lltakefromyoursatthesametime.”
Hegrowledsoftly.
Hescootedbacktogiveherroomtoturnover.Assherolledontoherback,herlipswereswollenand
hereyesdarkwithdesire.Spreadingherlegswide,sheheldoutherarms.“Makelovetome,Duncan.
God,I’vemissedyou,misseddoingthiswithyou.”
Duncan’schestfelttightashelookeddownatRachel,atherblondhairspreadovertheroyalblue
sheetsjustashe’dimagined,atherpartedlipsandherpartiallyemergedfangs.She’dloveddrinkinghim
downinthepastandsheespeciallyenjoyedpiercingaveinathisgroin.Shewouldn’tbetakinghimlow
thistimesincetheywerereadytoengage,butsoonmaybe.
Beforehedidanything,however,heshiftedtoplanthisarmsoneithersideofhershouldersthen
kissedher.Sheslidherarmsaroundhisneck,cooingsoftlyashethrusthistongueinandoutofhermouth.
Duncan,shemurmuredtelepathically.
Ilovekissingyou,heresponded.
Heslowlyletherfeelhiscock,liftinghishipsanddraggingtheheadoverherlandingstripthenlower
toteasehersex.
Herbodyundulatedasshewrappedherlegsaroundhim,pullinghimcloser.Heusedhishandto
positionhiscock,thenbegantopush.
Shegaspedandsighedwitheachthrustandeachslowpull-back.Hewasn’tsure,butforamoment,he
feltasthoughhecouldfeelherpleasureandwhatitfeltlikeforhertohavehiscockinsideher.
Thesensationrevvedhimup.Hekissedheragain,rollinghiships,thrustinghistongue.Hefondled
herbreasts,pinchinghernipplesinturn,whichcausedhertogaspandstillhekissedher.
Hemovedfaster.
Herarmssnakedaroundhisneckandshepulledhimcloser,herbreastspushingagainsthischest.
Rachel,hesentsoftly.
I’mhere.
Heslidhislipsalonghercheek,thenkissedalinedownherthroat.
Shemoanedandwrithed.“Doit,Duncan.God,howI’veneededthis.”Helickedjustabovethevein,
encouragingittorise.Shemadeshortgaspingsounds.
Hisfangsdescendedandinaquickstrike,hesankintoherveinandherbloodbegantoflow.Buthow
differentshetastedthanbefore.Herbloodhadalwaysbeenrichandsatisfying,yetnowshetastedofher
garden,ofeverythingbountifulinlife,everythingthatwasRachel.
Hishipsworkedheratthesametimethathesuckledhervein,ashetookwhatmadehimfeelpowerful
andstrong.Hecouldn’tbelieveRachelwashere,backinhislife,inhisbed,beneathhisfangs.
Shetuggedathisarmandheknewwhatshewanted.Heliftedhiswristtohermouth.“I’mgoingto
biteyou,Duncan.Isthatwhatyouwant?”
Yes,hesent.Please,yes.
Hersharpfangssankintohiswristandsentathrillthattravelledstraighttohiscock.Whenshebegan
tosuck,thesoundforcedhishipstomovefasterstill.Theywerejoined,hiscocktoherwell,andeachset
oflipssealedaroundlife-givingpunctures.
Maybeitwasthebreh-hedden,ormaybeitwasjustthem,buthismindfilledwithakindofeuphoria
he’dneverknownbefore.
Hemovedfasterstill,allthewhiledrinkingfromherneck.Herhandheldhiswriststeadyasshe
suckled.
I’mready,Duncan.
Heknewwhatshemeant.Metoo.
Hedidn’tletgoofherthroatashepumpedevenfaster.Suddenly,theorgasmbegantoflythroughhim,
pulsinginbrilliantflashesofprofoundpleasuresothathewasgruntingheavilyashecame.
Shemaderhythmicsoundsagainsthiswrist,neveroncepausing.Buthecouldfeelherecstasyashe
continuedtodrive,astheorgasmcontinuedtopulse,asonelightningboltofintensepleasurefollowed
another.
AsRachelreleasedhiswrist,heliftedoffherthroatatthesametimeandroared.Theorgasm
continuedtodrivethelengthofhiscockonandon.
Unbelievable.
Wasthisthebreh-hedden?
Rachelscreamed,holdingontohisarms,hereyeswild,herbodygyratingbeneathhis.Tearsfellfrom
hereyes.Hernailsdugintohisskin.Herbodyarched.
Andasifallhadbeenapreamble,afinaleofpleasureexplodedonelasttimeasanotherorgasm,
moreintensethanbefore,rocketedthroughhim.
Withoutwarning,suddenlyhiswingsmountedandhewasairborne,takingherwithhim.Heworked
hiswings,supportingthemmidair.Andstillhepistonedintoherasshescreamedherecstasyyetagain.
Whenthepleasurefinallypassed,Rachellookedathim.“Duncan,whathappened?Whatwasthat?”
Heembracedher,stillconnectedlowandbreathinghard.“Idon’tknow,butitwasmagnificent.”His
wingsundulatedslowly,keepingthemaloft.
“Itwas.Andyourbloodtastedofyourspicyciderscent.Oh,Duncan,evenlovemakinghaschanged
forus.Whatdoesallofthismean?”
Slowly,heloweredthemontothebedandlethiswingscoverthemboth,theupperarchofthefeathers
formingaprivatecanopyabovethem.
Shewithdrewherarmfromaroundhisneckandlightlyranherfingersoverthesoftfeathers.“Your
wingsarebiggernow.”
“Iknow.Andyou’reright,everythinghaschanged.”
Sheheldhisgaze.Headjustedhisvampirevisioninordertoseeherbetterandknewshe’ddonethe
same.“Youaresobeautiful,Rachel.Idon’tdeserveyou.”
Shecaressedhisface,leaninguptokisshim.“Doyouthinkthingscanbedifferentbetweenusnow?”
Thehopefullookonherfaceandthetendernessofthemomentbroughtsomethingfromdeepwithin
risingupanditwasn’tgood.Hefeltpanickyandforamomenthadtroublebreathing.Hetriedtostay
focusedonher,butcouldn’t.
Rachelcalledit‘buildingwalls’.
Maybesomethingshadchanged,butothershadn’t,likehowhefeltaboutanykindofserious
relationshipwithRachel.
Hisgazeskatedpasthereyes,toherhair,tothefeathersofhiswings,toanythingbutRachel.“I’m
sureitwillallmakesenseintime.”Evenhisvoicesoundeddull.
Shecaughthisfacewithherhands,forcinghimtolookather.“Duncan,don’tleaveme.Icanfeelyou
driftingaway,likeyoualwayshave.Duncan,pleasedon’tdothis.”
Buttherewasnothinghecoulddoasthefamiliarpanicspreadthroughhischest.Hisbreathing
hitched.Shewouldleavehimoneday.Shealwaysleft.Womenleft.
Heneededawayout.Hecouldn’tremaininthisbedwithRachel.
Hismindshiftedswiftlytotheblackopsteam.Therewassomuchtobedone,battlestobefought,an
eventougherwartowinagainstChustaffus,hisminions,andthethreegenerals.
“Duncan,please.Don’tdothis.”Shegrippedhisshouldershardnow,tryingtoholdon.
Hervoiceseemedsodistantashepulledoutofher.“Ihavetogetbacktowork.Ineedtocontactmy
oldsquad,seeiftheywanttojoinup.YourememberOwen.”Hewassayingridiculousthings,blocking
Rachelout,holdingheratbay,likehealwaysdid.
Heleanedbackandafterthreedeepbreaths,hedrewhiswingsintohiswing-locks.
“Idon’tgiveafuckaboutOwen.”
HeglanceddownatRachel.Shewasangry.Andthatwastypicalaswell.
Butherangerfiredhis.“Isupposeyou’regoingtoyellnow,likeyoualwaysdo.”
Shesatupandbeganhittinghisthighswithherfists.“Youdisappeared.Youalwaysdisappearwhen
wegetcloseandIhateyouforthat.”
Rachelwasgettinghystericalagain.“AndIhateitwhenyouactlikesuchaneedyfemale.”
~~~
HiswordsfinishedthemomentforRachel,remindingherwhyshehadbrokenupwithhimthelast
timeandwhyshe’dpromisedherselfnevertogetinvolvedwithhimagain.Sheknewshewasn’tanysuch
thingasa‘needyfemale’.He’dusedthosewordstohurthersohecouldcreatethedistanceheneededto
feelsafe.
Hewouldn’tevenlookather,andlikeatleastadozentimesbefore,itwasbusinessasusual.Heslid
offthebedandheadedintothebathroom.Amomentlater,theshowerwasrunning.
Shefoldedawashclothintoherhandfromthebathroomandsliditbetweenherlegs.
Shewascompletelyonherown.Again.Well,he’djustmadeallherdecisionssupremelyeasy.Like
hellshewasjoiningLuken’sblackopsteamorspendingonemoresecondworkingalongsideDuncan.
“Rachel?”
“What?”shesnapped,alloutofpatience.
“Something’swrong.”
Shemovedintothebathroom,andfoundthathe’dlefttheshowerandwasdryingoff.Helookedreally
perplexed,worried.
“What’sgoingon?”Thoughshehardlycared.
“There’sabuzzinginmyhead.”
“Howunfortunate.”Shemovedpasthim,droppingthewashclothinthehamper.Sheturnedoneofthe
showerheadsontoletthewaterwarmuponcemore.Shewrappedherhairupinatowelandhoppedin,
washingbetweenherlegsandeverywhereelseasthoughtryingtogetridoftherecentexperience.
Shedidn’tgiveafuckthatDuncan’sheadwasbuzzing.Shehopeditturnedintoaseriouspainand
stayedwithhimforadecade.
Hesaidnothingmore.
Fromherperipheral,shewatchedDuncanfinishtowelingoffandleavethebathroom.
Sowhatifhehadabuzz.
She’dliketogivehimabuzz,adeeppainfulonerightinhiscrotch.
She’dbeensostupid.Andevenifitwasthebreh-hedden,themyth-that-wasn’t-a-mythhadmadeone
big-assmistakethistime.
Suddenly,somethingdidn’tseemright,didn’tfeelright.
Sheshutofftheheads.“Duncan?”
Buttherewasnoresponse.
Sheextendedhervampirehearing,lettingitroamtheentirehouse,butnothingreturnedtoher.Oh,shit,
hadDuncanjustbeenabducted?
Leavingtheshower,shetoweledoffquickly.Herheartslammedthroughthenextseveralbeats.She
hurriedintothebedroomandfoundDuncanlyingproneonthefloor,dressedinbattlegear.Hiseyes,
thoughopen,staredatnothinginparticular.
“Oh,no.”
YolanthehadtakenDuncanoveragain,becausehewasbackinthathorribletrance.
Thebuzzingnowmadesense.Ifshehadn’tbeensomad,maybeshecouldhavehelpedhim.
Andthenthingsgotworse,becausesheheardafamiliarrumblingsound.
Wreckers.
CHAPTERFOUR
Thesoul
Yieldseveryanswer.
CollectedProverbs–BeatriceofFourth
Wreckers.
Think.
Theywereusuallymen.
Andshewasnaked.
Thatwasagoodstart.
Mentally,shereachedbacktoApacheJunctionTwoandtheshootingrange.Shelocatedthewrecking
gunandaboxofammo.Holdingoutherhand,shefoldedeachtoherandwithfingersthatshook,she
loadedbothbarrels.
Therumblinggotlouder.Sheonlyhadseconds.
Sheslidtheammobeneaththebed,outofsight.
StayingclosetoDuncan,sherosetoherfeetbutheldthewreckinggunbehindherrightthigh;sawed-
offworked.
Thenextmoment,thewallthatledintothelivingareaofDuncan’shomeexploded.Shecoveredher
facewithherarm,buttheinitialbreak-throughblastdidn’tsendshrapnelfar.Thesecondroundwould,
though.
Twowreckersstoodfifteenfeetaway,slack-jawedastheylookedherupanddown.Sheliftedher
chinanddrewhershouldersbacktoletthemgetagoodlook.Shecouldn’tbelieveshewasgoingtodo
this,butLuken’steamneededmoregunsandsheneededtoprotectherselfandDuncan.
Eachwreckerslowlyloweredhisweapon.Shedidn’tmistakethelookintheireyesastheyjumped
thetwo-footdistancefromthedarkeninggridtoDuncan’sbedroomfloor.
“Whatdoyouwant?”sheasked,ahandtoherchest.Itwasthequestionallvictimsasked,asthoughit
wasn’tobviouswhattheperpetratorswereafter.Shetrembledasmuchfromtheterrifyingnatureoffacing
warriorswithgunsinhandasfromherfeartheywouldn’tfallforherruse.
Inthiscase,theleftwreckersmiledattheother.“Thisshouldbefun,butI’mgoingfirst.”
Theotherlaughed.“Secondworks.She’llfightharder.”
Sometimes,menwereidiots.
Rachelwantedtodistractthemenalittlemorebecausesheneededenoughtimetogettheguntoher
shoulderbeforetheyunderstoodwhatshewasdoing.Withoutthatextrasecondortwo,they’deachhave
enoughtimetoraisetheirweaponsandreturnfire.“Doyoulikethelake?”sheasked.Shegestured
towardthewindows.
Bothmenfellforitandshiftedslightlytolookoutatthedarkbodyofwater,lightsglimmeringfrom
thehomesontheoppositebank.
Sheliftedhergunatthesametimeandfired,takingthefirstwreckerdown.Thesecondmanwas
raisinghisgunwhensheunloadedthesecondbarrel.Heflewbackwardseveralfeet,butdidn’tgethis
shotoff.
Despitethehugesprayofbloodandflesh,shescrambledtofindtheirweapons.Gatheringthemup,
shelaidhersandtheirsontopofDuncaninarow,thenslidintoherdress.Shecouldhearfootsteps
runningalongthegrid.MaybeitwouldbetheThirdEarthclean-upcrew,ormorewreckers,butshe
wasn’tgoingtowaitaroundtofindout.
ShestoodnexttoDuncanandasbefore,shefoldedbothofthembacktotheApacheJunctionTwo
landingplatforms.
~~~
Endellestoodinherprivatesuiteofrooms,offthemainpalacerotunda,andnarrowedhereyesat
Rachel.“Iseeyou’renotcompletelyuseless.I’llgiveyouthat.”
Rachelhadtakenoutacoupleofenemywreckersandhadbroughtbacktwonewwreckinggunsfor
Luken’sblack-opsteam.
Well,la-de-fucking-dah.
Shehadonthesamepristinewhitegownshe’dwornearlier,butshealsohadthelookofawoman
who’drecentlygottenwell-laid.Withonelegcrossedatthekneeovertheother,shesatinachairatthe
footofEndelle’scouch,sippinghercoffee.Andthewholetimethatshe’drelatedherrecentadventure,
Endellehadwantedtobitch-slaptheorganicprincessforstillrefusingtojoinLuken’steam.
EndelledecidedthatRachelsimplydidn’tknowwhoshereallywasdespiteherincessantpiningfor
hergardenandhersimplecarrot-growinglifeonMortalEarth.Rachelhadasteelrodinthemiddleofher
personality,alongwithahelluvalotofquickthinking,asuresignshewasawarrioratheart.
Shewasalotlikeherbrother,Gideon,afterall,eventhoughsheranwithclenchedfistsawayfrom
herobviousabilities.
EndelleshiftedherattentiontoDuncanwhowaslaidoutonhercouch,oncemorecaughtinYolanthe’s
snareandsunkinatrance.She’dhadhimbroughtbacktoherpalacetokeepaneyeonthesituation,
insistingthatRachelcomewithhim.DuncanhadworktodoonThirdandsomehowRachelneededto
realizeshehadtogowithhim.
Hiseyeswereopen,butfromwhathe’dsaidatthevilla,Yolanthehadhimfocusedonhernow
throughaThirdEarthvoyeurwindow.ButitwouldbeuptoDuncantoonceagainbreakthebitch’shold
onhim.Inthemeantime,sheintendedtokeepthepairclosetoherandsafebeneaththepalacesecurity
system.
ShesatdownadjacenttoRachelandacrossfromthecouch.“So,whatwouldyouhavedoneifthe
wreckershadn’tshownup?WouldyoustillbeatDuncan’shome?”
WhatsurprisedEndellethemostwashowsadRachelsuddenlylooked.“AssoonasIgotmyself
toweledoffanddressed,IhadplannedonreturningtoMortalEarth,backtoSeattleOne.Andincase
you’rewondering,Iwouldhavetakenawreckergunwithmeaswellassomeammo.”
Endelleshookherheadbecausethisdidn’tmakesense.“So,youwouldhaveleft,butyoudidn’t.Why
not?”
AtthatRachelsippedhercoffee,afterwardreleasingaheavysigh.“Ididn’thavetime.IfoundDuncan
inthiscondition,”shewavedahandathim,“ThenIheardtherumbling.That’sthesoundthegridmakes
whenitgetsclosetoitsdestination.”
UnderstandingdawnedandaslowsmilecurvedEndelle’slips.“Youwerebucknakedwhenthey
blastedthroughthegridinsideDuncan’sroom,weren’tyou?”
Rachelliftedherchin.“Ithoughtitwouldgivemetheadvantage.Anditdid.”
“JesusH.Christ.JustwhenI’vedecidedyouhavebaconforbrains,youimprovemyopinion.That
wassomedamngoodthinking,somethingIwouldhavedonebackintheday.”
Rachelshrugged.“Iknewfrommyexperiencebeforethatiftheyweren’totherwisedistracted,they’d
firethesplit-secondtheysawme.”
Shesettledhercoffeeonthetablenexttoherandwithherelbowonthearmofthechair,sheleaned
herforeheadintoherpalm.“ButforthelifeofmeIcan’tfigureouthowanyofthisisgoingtowork.
MorethananythingIwanttogetbacktomylife,butitlookslikeYolantheisseriousabouthuntingme
downandshe’llneverstop.”
“That’smytakeonitaswell.”
RachelshothergazetoEndelle.“That’snotveryhelpful.”
“Idon’tbelieveinsugar-coatingthings.”
“No,thatyoudon’t.”Sheleanedbackinherchair,hergazeshiftingtoDuncan’sface.“It’sawfulto
seehimlikethat.”
“Iknow.”
EndelleoncemoreponderedtheRachel-Duncanconundrum.“Yousaidyouwereheadedhomejustas
thewreckersshowedup,butIknowyoujusthadsexwiththiswarrior.”
Rachel’sjawflexedasifinanger.“That’sright.So,what?”
“Well,whatthefuckhappenedbecauseIcan’tbelieveitwasthesexthatmadeyouwanttotakeoff.”
Anotherweightysigh.“Itwastheoldissues.Duncanalwaysthrowsupawall,fasterthananyman
I’veeverknown.He’snevercruel,butwe’djusthadthemostamazingexperiencetogether,evenbetter
thanbefore.Buthewithdrewemotionallyfromme,pullingbacksofastitwasalmostasthoughhe
disappeared.AndIcan’ttakeitanymore.”
Endellewasn’tthemostperceptiveperson,sheadmittedthat,butshedidunderstandafewthings
aboutDuncan.AnditwaspossibleRacheldidn’thavethefullpicture.“Lukenfoundhimchainedup.”
Rachelshiftedslightlyinherdirection.“I’msorry?”
“ItwasanambushandDuncancalledforWarrioroftheBloodback-upagainstCarlyon’sorders.
WhenLukenarrived,hefoundDuncanchainedup.”CarlyonwasapowerfulMilitiaWarriorand
Duncan’sfather.
Rachelshookherheadseveraltimes.“What?I’veneverheardthisbefore.”
“I’mtalkingaboutsomethingthathappenedalongtimeago.”Endelledidn’tusuallygetinvolvedin
thepersonallivesofherpeople,butshefeltcompelledtotellRachelwhatsheknew.“Doyouremember
thenightCarlyonandhissquaddied?”
“God,yes.Whodoesn’t?AtleastfortyMilitiaWarriorsdiedintheattack.”
“DoyoualsorecallthatDuncanwastheonlysurvivor?”
“Ofcourse,buthenevertalkedaboutit.”
“Andyourex-husbandwasoneofthemenwhodied.”
“Grieg.That’sright.”
“Well,there’ssomethingaboutthatnightIwantyoutoknow.WhenDuncancalledforWhat-Beeback-
up,Carlyonwasfuriouswithhim,soangryinfactthathechainedhimup.They’dbeeninacellarofa
largeranchhouse,thepropertysurroundedbydeathvampires.CarlyonboundDuncantothepipesand
addedapreternaturalchargesohecouldn’tbreakfree.ThesquadleftDuncantherealone,thenfoolishly
wentontoengageinbattlewheretheyalldiedwithinthenextfewminutes.
“Ataboutthesametime,LukenfoldedtoDuncan’spositionandfacedoffadozendeathvampireswho
keptattackingthecellar.LukengotthemallandwasabletofreeDuncan.Butbythen,therestofthe
MilitiaWarriorsweredead.”
Rachelshookherheadagain.“Ican’tbelieveCarlyondidthattohisownson.Buthewasoneofthe
meanestmenI’veeverknownandthereasonthatmyhusbandbeatme.Grieghadnouseforwomen
exceptinbedandthoseteachingscamestraightfromCarlyon.”
“Iknow.Ialwayswonderedaboutyoubackthen,howyousurvived.”
“Withdifficulty.”
EndelleglancedatDuncanagain.“YetCarlyonwasahighlyreveredThunderGodWarrior.”
Rachel’seyesglitteredwithunshedtears.“Idon’tthinkI’lleverbeabletoforgiveCarlyonforwhat
hedidtoDuncan.IknowenoughofwhathesufferedasachildatCarlyon’shands.Andchaininghimup
likethat?Verytypical.Thebastardwasanabusivemonster.”
“Yes,hewas.ButDuncanovercamealotofitandI’dbetmylefttitthatheneverliftedahandtoa
woman.AmIright?”SheglancedatRacheloncemore.
“No,never.He’sagoodman.He’sjustabsentlikeheisrightnow.Hedoesn’tknowhowtobeina
realrelationship.Buttobefair,I’mnotsureIdoeither.”
“Andyou’redrawntowarrior-types.”
“Yes.Thebaneofmyexistence.”
Maybeshewasgettingsoft,butEndellesaidquietly,“Justpleasedon’ttakeoffwithoutlettinganyone
know.Attheveryleast,IcangiveyouasecuritydetailandLukencantrainthemwiththewreckingguns.”
Rachelstaredather.“Youwerereadytostringmeupfornotleapingatthechancetojointheblack
opsteam.Andnowyou’reofferingprotectionsothatIcanleave.Whatchanged?”
Endellemadeadisgustedsoundatthebackofherthroat.“Thorne’sbeenwearingoffonmeormaybe
it’sLuken.”
Shethenliftedabrow.“So,howwasit,Rachel,thesexImean?Afterall,I’veusedmyvoyeur
windowtotakeapeakinthemen’sshowerroomattheMilitiaHQtrainingcenter.So,Iknowforafact
yourmanishung.”
Rachelsighedoncemore.“You’rehopeless.”
Racheldidn’tknowthehalfofit.Endelleknewsheneededaman,butshewasstillcommittedto
Braulio.Butbecauseofthewayshewastwitching,shedefinitelyneededtotakeajaunttohersecret
hideawayinIndiaTwoandgetatleastsomeofherneedsmet.Itwasn’tquitethesameashavingBraulio
inherbed,butithelpedeaseherthroughherweek.
Ifonlyshedidn’tfeelsodamnguilty.
~~~
Duncancouldn’tbelievehe’dbeencaughtoffguardagainandwasoncemoreinYolanthe’sgrasp.He
trackedthewomanthroughtheThirdEarthvoyeurwindow,hatingeveryminuteofit,andtryingtofigure
outhowtoescape.Again.
Andthedamnwomanhadmadehimpay.She’dbroughtinafewofherslavesandhadengagedin
groupsexinalargespa,Yolantheasthestar,ofcourse.
“It’sjustpayback,”she’dsaid,“forhavingsexwithRachel.YouknowhowIfeelaboutthatwoman.I
foundyourbehaviordisloyal.”Herattitudehadtobethedefinitionofnarcissism.
AfterthealmostendlessroundsofwatchingYolantheeitherscreamwithpleasureormakeherslaves
cryoutinpain,shenowlayrepleteonachaise-loungeinherlivingroom.Sheworealavenderdressing
gownasayoungslavewaftedherwithanenormousfanofpeacockfeathers.
“YourwomanplayedthetwowreckersIsentafterher.Iwaswatchingwithmyvoyeurwindow.She
posednudeforthemwithaweaponbehindherback,thenshotthembothtobits.IttookmyThirdGrid
clean-upcrewaboutanhourtogetridofthedebris.Andifyou’rewonderingwhywebother,wedon’t
liketoleaveevidenceofouractivitiesbehindanymorethanyoudowhenyoubattledeathvampireson
MortalEarth.Westilldon’thaveMadameEndelle’ssuperiorclean-upcapacity,thekindthatwoman,
Jeannie,callsdownfromCentral.Andthat’ssomethingI’dlovetohaveaccessto.”
DuncanknewshewasreferringtothemethodEndelleandherscientistsdevelopedthatwithjusta
calltoCentralCommand,JeannieorCarlacouldwipeoutallsignsofabattle,atleasttheorganicbits
likebodies,bloodandfeathers.
Sheturnedslightlytomeethisgaze.“Duncan,howaboutyougettheblueprintfortheclean-up
technology?ThenImightnotholditagainstyouthatyoufuckedanotherwoman.”Yolantherarelyswore,
yetanotherindicationthewomanwasangrywithhim.
“Andhowaboutyoujusteatshit,instead.”Okay,hewaspissedaswell,andnotnecessarilyshowing
somesmartsrightnoweither.ButthefactthatothermenhadseenRachelnaked--evenifRachelhad
alloweditinordertosavehisass--hadhisbreh-heddeninner-monsterwrithingtopunchsomething
hard.
Yolanthecluckedhertongueandrosetoherfeet.“I’vebeenthinkingtherealproblemisyoudon’t
knowwhatyou’llhaveoncewebecomelovers,andjustmaybeIhaven’tmotivatedyouproperly.”
“Letmesaveyouthetrouble,Yolanthe,becauseyoudon’thaveadamnthingIwant.”
Shepulledafacethenwavedahandtochangeintoapalepink,backlesssilkgown.Sheturnedaway
fromhimandhewatchedthemusclesofherbackthickenasmoistureformedoneachexpandingwing-
lock.Heheardhertakeadeepbreathandamomentlater,shecriedoutwithintensepleasureasher
wings,extraordinaryinheight,breadthandcolor,released.
Hehadtoadmithe’dneverseensuchbeautifulwingsbeforeandnowunderstoodherchoiceof
pastelsforclothing,becauseherwingslookedlikeabeautifulpaintedEasterEgg.Theouterbandsand
softinnerswirlswereallinshadesoflightblueandgreen,paleyellow,lavender,andasoftpinkthat
matchedhergown.
“Exquisite.”Eventhoughhemeantit,hewishedthewordunsaidbecausehedidn’twanttoencourage
thewomanonanylevel.
Sheturnedtowardhim,herthin,reddishbrowshighonherforehead.“Iknow.”
Shethenwalkedtotheopenverandathatoverlookedacresoflawn,scatteredpools,andtrees.She
movedtotheedgeofthepatioandasshetookoff,shecarriedthevoyeurwindowalongsothatDuncan
hadtotravelwithher.Essentially,hewouldseeeverythingshesettledhergazeon,evenwhilesheflew.
Lookingdown,hesawthatherhomewasonanislandinalake,surroundedbyseveralcanals.There
weresmallhomesandanequalnumberofstrawhutsallaroundtheperimeter.“Whereisthis?”
“MexicoCityThree.IjustneverdrainedthelakeliketheydidonMortalEarth.”
Hespokethetruth.“You’vecreatedajewel.”
Again,sherespondedinhersing-song,entitledmanner,“Iknowandthisisthetruevalueofslave-
laborthatsomuchbeautycanbecreated.ItistherealproblemwithMortalEarth.Iftherewasaproper
alignmentofmastersandslave,thenEarthOnewouldbecomealovelyplacetoinhabit.”
“Isthatpartofyourfather’sambitions?Totakeoverthreeworlds?”
Shesmiled.“Yes,ofcourse.ButIbelieveinhisdesignswithallmyheart.Astrongrulingclassisthe
onlywaytogovernanyland.Onlythencanbeautyprevail.”
Withthesewords,hetrulybegantounderstandYolanthe.Atfirst,he’dwrittenheroffasahedonist
andanentitledprincess,andyes,shewasthosethings.Butnowhesawthelevelofherambitions.She
wantedherworld,aswellasbothSecondEarthandMortalEarth,subjugatedtoherfather’swill,inthe
samewaythatshecontrolledthelivesofallwholivedinMexicoCityThree.
Thewomanhadpowerandintent.Shealsohadtheadvantageofappearingfalselyweakand
vulnerablebecauseshewasleantothepointofemaciationanddressedupinsilk.Hebelievedsheused
bothoftheseasploystokeepherenemiesfromunderstandingallthatshewas.
“Nowletmeshowyoufirstmyfather’skingdomandhowcleverhe’sbeeninholdinghisreinstight.”
Assheflewsouth,shereachedalongstretchoflandthatburnedhotwithenormouslytallflames,but
didn’tproducesmoke.
“Idon’tunderstandwhatthisis,”Duncansaid.“WhatamIlookingat?”
Sherosehigherandhigherintotheairsothateventuallyhesawthatthefirerangedtheentirewidthof
theland,fromtheCaribbeanSeatothePacificOcean.
“It’sabarrier,”sheresponded.“Isn’titclever?”
“YoumeanChustaffuskeepsthelanddividedwithfire.”
“Exactly.Thelocalinhabitantscan’tbreakthroughandmostofthemdon’thaveenoughessential
powertoflyovertheflames.It’sanexcellentmeansofcontrol.”
Asshecontinuedtoflysouth,theridgesoffireappearedatregularintervals,perhapseveryhundred
milesorso.
“Igetit,”hesaid.“Thepeoplecouldneverjointogethertoformanuprising.”
“Youneverlackedforintelligence,Duncan.You’rejustabsurdlystubborninyourrefusaltoalignwith
me.”
Yolanthecontinuedinherflightandthelandsuddenlyopenedup,thoughthereweremassivewalls
thistime,liketheGreatWallofChina.
“Thisdoesn’tmakesense.Whynotusefireconsistently?”
“Becausemyfatherdidn’tcreatethiswall.ThePrincedid.”
“ThePrince?You’vementionedhimbefore.”
“Athousandyearsagohefoughtmyfatherforsupremacyoverourworldandhewonathirdofthe
land,thoughscatteredamongallthecontinents.Afterward,hetookcarefulpainstocordonoffhis
kingdomwithstone.”
Duncanlookedatthelandandsawthattherewereroadsandtowns,evenlargecities.Inotherwords,
alandofstructureandcommerce.HewasprettysurethatThePrince’sworldwasafreeworld,athriving
kingdom.TheslaveworldChustaffushadbuiltwasseriouslyunderdeveloped.
“ThereisnoslaveryinThePrince’slands,then?”
“No.Buttheman’sanidiot.He’sconstantlybesetbyambitiousmen,whofrequentlyapproach
Chustaffusaboutjoiningforces.Uptothispoint,ThePrincehasfendedoffeveryrebellion,butoneday
he’llfail.ThenmyfatherwillruleThirdEarthagain,andthatdayiscomingsoon.You’llsee.”
Duncanconsideredthis.“WhatdoesChustaffuswantwithSecondEarthorMortalEarth?”
“Whatdoallambitiousmenwant?Torule,firstandforemost.Becauseotherdimensionsexist,
Chustaffuswantsthem.Buthealsowantstheresourcesofyourlargerpopulations.”
“Forslaves?”
“Andtocreatedeathvampirestoaddtohisarmy.”
ForthefirsttimesinceDuncanhadbeencaughtinYolanthe’strance,hebegantoseesomevaluein
beinghere.“Chustaffusmusthaveonehellofanorganizationtobeabletodoallthathedoes.”Fishing
forinfocouldn’thurt.
“Hehashelp.”
“Fromyou?”
Shechuckledassheflew.“Unfortunately,thoughI’veofferedahundredtimestobeofassistance,his
opinionofwomenisalmostaslowyourownfather’swas.So,youseewedohavethatincommon.
“Buthehasthreeofmybrothersintowwhodohisbidding.Eachisworkingwith…”shebrokeoff
andstoppedmidair,flappingherwingsslowlyandlookeddirectlyatDuncan’svoyeurwindow,meeting
hisgaze.“So,you’vegrowncuriousallofasudden?”
“OfcourseI’mcurious.Ican’tagreetoyourtermsunlessIknowwhatthehellI’mgettinginto.”
Wouldshebuyit?
“I’mnotastupidasIlook.”Shetiltedherheadslowly,hereyesmovingaboutasthoughconsidering
hiswords.“No,Idon’tthinkI’lltellyouanythingmorethanthat.Justletmeshowyoutheworldmy
familycontrols.Whenyoufinallysubmittomeandbecomemyprinceconsort,youwillineffectenjoyall
thehonorsandrichesthatfalltome.”
“Allright,IconfessI’mintrigued.”Atotallie,buthewantedtokeephertalking.
Forthenexthoursheflewhimfromcontinenttocontinent,zippingoftenthroughnether-spacewhilein
flight,somethingmostSecondAscenderscouldn’tdowithoutcausingaseverewing-mangle.Butshe
madethejumpswithease.
BeyondthefiresthatChustaffususedtocontrolhisportionoftheworld,climatecontrolwasabig
partofThirdEarth’soveralldesign.Manyequatorcountriesandthoseinthefarnorthenjoyed
Mediterraneanlikeseasons.Poorerregionslivedasthey’dalwayslived,atthemercyofthelandandthe
weather.
WhenshereturnedtoMexicoCityThreeanddrewinherwings,Duncanfeltherfatigue.She’d
essentiallytakenhimonaquickflightaroundThirdEarth.
“Ijusthaveonelastquestion,Yolanthe,somethingthatI’mnotgetting.”
“Sure,askanything.”
“Why,me?”
Yolanthebegantopace.Sheworeherover-dressoncemore,theskirtglidinginapartialtrainbehind
her.Hewonderedifshedidthisforeffect.Probably.Thesensehehadofthewomanwasthatshenever
didanythingwithoutapurpose.
Finally,shespoke,“Ineedtofindsomethingormaybeit’saplace.We’renotsure.Inourmythology,
it’scalledRapture’sEdgeandissupposedtocontainorprovideunlimitedpowertotheonewhofindsit.”
“Andagain,whatdoIhavetodowiththisplace?”
“IhadavisionthatyouwillonedayhavethecapacitytolocateRapture’sEdge.”
~~~
LukenfoldedtotheNorthAfricalandingsiteandfacedfourpowerfulMilitiaWarriorswhosejobit
wastoguardtheplatforms.Theyhadswordsinhandandattheready.Noonewastakingchancesthese
days.
Themenallborearmbandsinpurple,whichthearmychangednightlytoexposeinfiltrators.Thelead
manhandedhimaband,butLukensmiled,flexinghisrightarm.“It’llneverfit.”
Thewarriorchuckledthengotonhiscomtobarkorders.Afewminuteslater,aMilitiaWarriorcame
runningandwhenLukenhelduphishand,thewarriortossedthelargerbandtohim,grinning.
Lukenslidtheoversizedpurplestripoffabricaroundhisupperarm.“IsCommanderThorneinhis
tent?”
Thewarriornodded.“He’swaitingforyou.”
Lukenbeganthelong,threemilemarchdowntheline.Foldingwasn’tallowedonsiteforthesame
reasontheyworearmbands.Anyonenotwearingthepropercolorortakingoffinflightwasinstantly
broughtintocustodyandinterrogated.
Ajeeppulledup.“TheCommandersentme.”
ItwassostrangetohearThornecalled‘TheCommander’,becausethathadbeenGreaves’stitleuntil
EndelledefeatedhiminbattleandexiledhimtoFourthEarth.NowThornewasinchargeoftheAllied
Forces.
Thejeeprolledalongasolid,pavedroad,oneofmanythattheconstructioncrewhadbuiltandkept
repairingandextending.Nothinglikesolidroadstokeepanarmyrunningsmoothly.
HefoundThorneinhistent,bentoverawide,electronictablethatshowedalmosttheentirebreadth
ofNorthAfricaTwoandthedispositionofbotharmies.SeveralofhistopMilitiaWarriorSection
Leaderswerewithhim.
Lukenwaitedattheentrancetothetent.Hefeltthetensionandunderstooditssource.Anassaultwas
inprogress.
So,hekeptsilent.Hehadn’tbeentoThorne’stentinalongtime.Luken’sduties,untilEndelle’slatest
orders,hadbeencenteredontheactionatallfiveBorderlandsaroundMetroPhoenixTwo.
Nowhewashere.
Whenthemenroseupasoneandcheered,Lukensmiledandfinallysteppedforward.
Thornecaughtsightofhimandturnedinhisdirection.“It’sgoodtoseeyou.Iwashopingtogetcaught
uponpalacenews.”Thorne’sgravellyvoicefilledthetent.ButhemusthavesensedLuken’scurrentstate
ofmindbecausehisexpressiondimmed.“Shit,what’sgoingonnow?”
Lukenglancedbackatthemenstillclusteredaroundthetable,thenbacktoThorne.“Weneedtotalk.”
“Allright.”
Thorneledhimintotheadjoiningtent,crossedtoasmallrefrigeratorandpulledoutacoupleofcold
DosEquis.HegesturedtothecampchairsandwhenLukensatdown,Thornehandedhimabeer.
Lukenthankedhim,twistedthecapoffanddrank.Funny,hehadn’tbeenwantingabeeryetsomehow
ithitthespot.
“So,hasherSupremenessthrownatantrum?”HesatdowninachairoppositeLuken.
Atthat,Lukenfrowned,feelingsuddenlysober.“We’vegotanewshitfest,Thorne,anditain’tgood.”
Ignoringhisownunsettledfeelingsaboutthesuddenshiftinhiswarriorpath,herelatedallthathad
happened.IttookafewminutestobringThorneuptospeed.
ThornesippedhisbeerandstaredatLuken,hisbrowslow.“Youknow,youthinkthingshavegottenas
badastheycanget,thenthis.”
“ThereseemstobesomeindicationChustaffusissupportingthethreegenerals.”
“Andthatwouldexplainalot,buthowthehellarewesupposedtobeatthemnow?Isupposewe
shouldstartexpectingtobattleThirdEarthdeathvampiresnext.”
“Idon’tknow.”Lukenleanedforward,lettingthebottledanglebetweenhiskneesashestaredatthe
woodfloor.Thecommandtentshadseveralmodernconveniences,solidfloorsbeingoneofthem.“Ithink
EndellewantsustogotoThirdtoseeifwecanpreventexactlythatfromhappening.Though,howthehell
wearesupposedtohaveanyeffectonplanstoinvadeSecondfromanUpperDimension,Ihavenoidea.
JustabouteveryonewholivesonThirdwillhavemoreessentialpowerthananyofus.Exceptmaybe
Rachel.”
“Rachel,Gideon’ssister?Shehaspower?”
“Yeah,somesortofFourthEarthshieldingability.Merlconfirmedit.”
“Holyshit.”
“Iknow.We’reallinastateofshock.”
Thornedrankdeeponcemore.“YoucouldhavetoldmeallthisfromApacheJunctionTwo.”
“Well,there’smorebecausenowI’msupposedtobuildateamtotaketoThird.”
“Aw,fuck.”Thornescrubbedahanddownhisface.Hemusthavereadthesituationexactlyright,
becauseheaskedthemostpertinentquestion.“Whoareyoutaking?”
“Justthreemenbutthey’rethreeofyourbestThunderGodWarriors.”
“Ifigured.Butletmeguess,youwantDuncan’ssquad.”
“Ido.Ithinkitwouldbebest.Jean-Pierrehasbeenbumpingthemupsteadilyinthedirectionof
WarrioroftheBloodstatusandthey’veservedaspartofDuncan’ssquadfordecades.Theycanreadeach
other’ssignalswiththeireyesclosed.”
Thornescowled.“But,themenundereachoftheircommandshavethehighestkillrateoftheentire
armyinAfrica.Weneedthemhere.”
“Iknow,butEndelle’sadamantbecauseofhervision.”
“Jesus,Ijustcan’tgetusedtotheideaofEndellehavingvisions.Itsoundscompletely
uncharacteristic.Iknowshe’sneverhadthembefore.”Thornewasprobablyrememberingthemind-link
he’doncesharedwithHerSupremeness.
“Hey,she’sjustasbaffledasyouare.Andconcerned.Youknowshewept.”
Atthat,Thornejerkedforwardinhiscampchair.“What?Endelle?”
“Gofigure.Thisnewturnofeventshasreallythrownher.Thatandherman,Braulio,disappearedon
her.”
Thornegrimaced,thennarrowedhisgaze.“AndIsupposethatThirdasshole,Merl,isstillchasingher
tail.”
“Iwanttopoundtheshitoutofhimeverytimehegetswithintenyardsofme.Andhere’sthebiggest
assfuckofthemallbecauseEndelleassignedhimtomyteamaswell.”
“No.”Heshovedahandthroughhishair,dislodginghiscadroen.“Well,thatsucks.”Hegatheredup
hishaironcemoreandsecuredtheclasp.
“Atleasthe’llbringsomeskillandinformationtotheteam.HewasaThirdEarthwreckerbeforehe
exiledhimselfhereonSecond.Thoughhehasn’tsaidit,IbelievehewasaWarrioroftheBloodonce.
He’sdamnpowerful.”
“Okay,well,whatever.”
“ThendoIhavepermissiontotakeDuncan’ssquadwithme?”
“Of,course.Granted.They’reinthemess.”Hethenfrowned.“How’sEndelleholdingupwithallof
this,Imeanbesidesthetears?”
Lukensighed.“Thewayshealwaysdoes:alittlefire,alotofbrimstone.”
Thornechuckledatthat.
ButLukenadded.“She’sreallyworried,morethanshe’llsay.AndI’mconvincedshewasholding
somethingbackabouthervision,somethingshedidn’twantmetoknow.”
“Andtherereallyhasn’tbeenanysignofBraulio?Isawthewayshelookedwhenhewassharingher
bed;shewasalmosthappy.”
Lukenshookhishead.“Wehadafewdaysofpeacethere,didn’twe?”
“Yes,wedid.AndI’mpissedashellthatheleft.”
“He’snotfree,Thorne,youhavetorememberthat.HedoeswhateverthehellLuchianneandthe
CouncilofSixthEarthdemandofhim.TheoneconsolationIhaveisthatIknowhe’sworkingonourside.
Iknowit.”Hethenlaughed.“Butifhedoesn’tshowupsoon,I’mprettysureEndellewillcaveandtake
Merlintoherbed.”
Thornerolledhiseyes.“Thatbastard.”
LukentoldhimaboutDuncanbattlinghimatAntony’svilla.“Itwasasweetsighttobehold,Duncan
bustingthesmirkoffhisface.”
Thornegrinned.“WishIcouldhaveseenit.”Herosetohisfeet.“Well,goodluck,brother.IfIcan
helpinanyway—”Heletthewordshang.
Lukenstoodupand,liftinghishand,salutedThornewithhismiddlefinger.
Thornelaughedoncemore.“Imissthis,youknow.”
AndLukendidknow.“Thebrotherhoodeasedusall.Butnowwe’respreadoutallovertheglobeand
I’mheadedtoThird.”
Thornenoddedbutfellsilent.Maybehewasthinkingaboutthepast.
“Anythingelse?”Lukenasked.
Thorneshookhishead.“Nah.JustthinkingaboutEndelle.”
Lukenfinallysaid,“IsitokayifIbringthemenbackheretotalkthingsover?”
“Absolutely.Andlisten,IthinkI’llpayavisittothePalace.Ihaven’tbeenthereinacoupleofweeks.
JustanFYI.”
“You’dbewelcome,that’sforsure.”
Finishinghisbeer,Lukenmadehiswayovertothemessandfoundthemenhewaslookingfor:
Duncan’ssquad.
Itfeltstrangetoknowthathewasabouttochangeeachoftheirlivesforeverinthesamewayhis
warriorlifehadjustbeengivenasolidshake-up.
ThirdEarth.
JesusH.Christ,whatthehellwasEndellethinking?
Buthehadhisordersandonagutlevelheknewthishadtobedone.Hejustdidn’thaveevenashred
ofconfidenceanyofthemwouldmakeitbackalive.
Assoonasheapproachedtheirtable,allthreemenrosetotheirfeetastheywouldwithanysuperior
officer.
“Youboysaboutdone?”
Ageneralnoddingofheads.
“Thencomewithme.”
BackinthesittingareaofThorne’scommandtent,Lukenhadthemensit,butremainedstanding
himself.He’dneverhadaconfrontationalstyle,atleastnotverbally,becauseitwasn’tnecessary;helet
themassivenatureofhischest,armsandshouldersdotheintimidating.
Themenlookedupathim,buteachhadtakenonaslightlybelligerentexpressionasthoughguessing
whathewasabouttodemandofthem.Buthehonestlydidn’tcarewhethertheylikedbeingtakenaway
fromNorthAfricaornot.
“WehaveasituationandI’llneedallofyoutocomewithmebacktoMilitiaHQ.”
Owenleanedbackinhiscampchair.Hehadalongscarangledjustbelowhisleftcheekbone,acut
thatwouldhavehappenedbeforehisascensiontoSecondEarth.“You’retheleaderoftheWarriorsofthe
Blood,sowhatdoyouneedusfor?”
“BecauseI’vebeenrelievedofmyduties.”
“Whatthefuck?”Owenscowled.
Joshuagesturedwithaflipofhishand.He’dtakenoffhisleatherwristguards,exposingtheheavy
tattoosthatranupbothforearmsalmosttotheelbow,acombinationofblackflamesandbirdsinflight.
“WhatthehellwasThornethinkingtoremoveyou?”
“Thisdidn’tcomefromThorne.ItcamefromEndelle.”
Allthreemenfellsilentandstaredathimforalongmoment.
“Thatdoesn’tmakealotofsense,”Alexsaid.“Ithoughtshelikedyou.Hell,everyonelikesyou.”
Alexrubbedhisrightshoulderwhereawideburnscarwrinkledhisskin.
“Sheneedsmetoheadupablackopsteam.”Atthementionofanythingthatwouldinvolvestealthand
reconnaissancework,thetensionrampedup,givingtheairthesharptangoftestosterone.Hedefinitely
hadtheirattention.
HewentontoexplainsomebasicthingsaboutDuncanwakingupfromthetrance,whatDuncanhad
learnedoverthepasttwoweeksinYolanthe’spresence,whothebadguyswereshapinguptobeand
finallyafewdetailsaboutEndelle’svision.
“DuncanwillbeontheteamaswellandIwantyouthreetojoinup,although‘joining’isn’texactly
therightword.Let’sjustsay,youhaveneworders.”
Lukenhadthoughthe’dbebattlingallthreemen,insteadheunderstoodthesuddenglitterineacheye.
“We’reready,boss,”Owensaid.
“Good,becauseyou’llbeleavingwithmeinabouttenminutes.Sopackupandmeetmebackhere.I
haveaJeepwaiting.Oh,andthere’sonemorething,justtobeclear:we’regoingtoThird.”
~~~
Rachel’scoffeehadgrowncoldwhileshewaited.ShehopedlikehellDuncanwouldsomehowfinda
waytoseverYolanthe’stranceandwakeuplikehedidlasttime.Butshereallydidn’tlikesittingaround
atall.Shewasadoerandalwayshadbeen.Although,itmighthelpifshehadalittlemoreinformation.
TurningtoEndelle,sheasked,“Thisisamind-link,right,thisthingDuncanhaswithYolanthe?”
Endellenodded.“Averypowerfullink.”
“IknowyouoncehadonewithThornebuthowdidThornebreakit?”
“Hedidn’t.IcreatedthelinksoIwastheonlyonewhocoulddestroyit.”Shegotafarawaylookin
hereyeasthoughremembering.“Webattledhereinthepalaceinthelargestrotunda.Iwasinflightatone
point.”Sherubbedherforeheadasthoughtryingtoerasethememories.“Iknewthelinkhadtoend.The
breh-heddenhadstruckandThorneneededtobefree.”
“Itaboutkilledyou,didn’tit?”
“Yeah,inaweirdway.I’dheldthisbeliefthataslongasThorneandIhadthatlink,SecondEarthand
Iwouldbeokay.”Sheshookherheadandlaughed.“Itwascompletelyirrational,Iknow,butIthinkthe
delusionkeptmesane.”
“It’sbeenharderforyouwithouthim.”
Shelookedsuddenlyweary.“Yes,untilBraulioshowedup,whichisonereasonI’msoangryhe’s
gone.”
RachelhadneverheardEndellesharesomanyintimatedetailsofherlife.Ofcourseonlyan
impendingdisaster,liketheimminentsubjugationofSecondEarth,couldhavebroughtRachelthisclose
toawomanwhoheldcompletelyopposingvalues.
“DoyouknowYolantheatall?”
“No,butshe’sawomanI’mcomingfasttodespise.”HerglancetookinDuncanagain.“Shit,he’s
beenoutforatleasttwohoursnow,justlyingonthereonmycouch.”
“Morelikethreeandthissittingaroundisreallychappingmyhide.”SheglancedatEndelleonce
more.“Andyou,withallyourpower,can’tbreakthismind-link?”
“Nope,notevenwithallmygloriousfuckingpower,Ican’tdoathingforDuncan.”
“Thenifyoucan’t,noonecan.”
Endelleheldhergazesteadily“Whataboutyouwrecker-killer?”
“Don’tcallmethat.”
“Butyoulikedit,didn’tyou?Killingthosebastards.”
Rachelwascompletelyunwillingtogothere,soshepickeduphermugandrosetoherfeet.“Ineedto
warmupmycoffee.”
SheleftEndelle’sprivatesuiteandcrossedthroughtheelectronicCommandCenter,surprisedtosee
WarriorThornepresentandconferringwithhistech-team.Mostly,hestayedinNorthAfrica.
Shepassedbythelandingplatformsthatwerenearthekitchen.Butonceinside,Endellewasalready
there,havingfoldeddirectlyfromhersuite.Shewasalsoblockingthecoffeepot.
“Yousureit’scoffeeyouwant,notsometeamadefromboiledturnipsorsomething?”
Rachelchosenottorisetothefly.“Impotencesucks,”shesaid,tryingtoopenupalittle.
Endelle’slipstwistedintoawrygrin.“Iknowthere’sapervertedoxymoronintheresomewhere.”
“Bitofastretch.”ButRachelsmiled.“Yetsomehowfunny.”
Endellefoldedacupofcoffeeintoherhand,butkeptblockingthemachine.“Sowhathappenedto
you,MissQueenofthePotatoes?Imeanseriously.LukentoldmeyouusedawreckinggunlikeaThird
Earthproyourfirsttimefiringandyoutookouttwoofthosewarriorswhenyoucouldhavejusthauled
Duncanbeneathyourshieldorevenfoldedhimstraightaway.Whichismynextquestion;whydidn’tyou
doeitherofthesethings?”
“Ithoughtaboutit.AndmaybeIcouldhavecreatedashieldoverDuncan,butIstillhavenoidea
whethertheshieldoffersprotectionfromanythingphysicalorwhetheritjustmakesusbothdisappear.As
forfolding,Idon’tknow.Igotmad,Iguess,andIwantedtodosomething.So,Ichosetofacethe
wreckersinstead.”
“
Well,allofthatmakessenseanditshowsarealwarrior-typeheadinthefield.So,Ihavetoask,
why,ifyouhavetheseobviousgiftscoupledwithsomuchinherentpower,doyoukeeppursuinga
zucchini-growinglife?AndIknowyoulikedoffingthosewreckers,sodon’tevenpretendyoudon’tknow
whatI’mtalkingabout.”
Racheldrewadeepbreath.“Iwon’tdenythattheexperiencefiredsomethingupinsideme.Butsince
you’vebeenhonestwithmeaboutThorneandthemind-links,I’llreturnthefavor.”
Shedrewanotherlung-invasivebreathbeforecontinuing.“I’vealreadytoldyouthatGrieghitme,but
Iwantyoutogetthefullpicture.Thetruthis,hebeattheshitoutofmeoffandonthefirstcoupleofyears
weweremarried,thenalmosteverymorningatdawntheentirelastthreemonthsofouroh-so-joyful
union.AndItriedeverythingIcouldthinkoftoeitherconformtowhathewantedsohewouldn’thitme–
astrategythathadonlymarginalsuccess–ortofighthim.So,Iguessyoucouldsayhebeatthewaroutof
me.He’sthebiggestreasonI’vechosenmyzucchini-potatolifeasyouliketosay.”
“Butwhydidn’tyoujustleaveGrieg?”
Rachelhuffedasigh.“Everyoneasksthatquestionofwomencaughtindomesticabuse.We’reseenas
weakandunabletostandupforourselves.Butgettingtrappedinabuseisn’taquickprocessatall,but
oneofpsychologicalseductionusuallybeginningwithawonderfulcourtshipperiod.Thenthemanbegins
tounderminethewoman’sself-esteem,justalittlebitatfirst,butalwaysescalating.Grieglikedto
suggestIwasstupid,clumsy,boring,anythingtohelpmefeelbadaboutmyselfonasteady,regularbasis.
“Fromthere,it’smaybeaslapatfirst,thentearsandremorse.Andbegging.Themanalwaysbegsto
stay,tobeforgiven,promisingitwillneverhappenagain.Andthewomanforgivesbecauseshe’shooked
indeep.Attheworstpoint,whenthebeatingsareregular,themanwillthreatenhiswoman’slife,
especiallyifshemakesthesmallestmovetoleavehim.Bythattime,she’shadenoughevidencethathe
willdoexactlywhathesays.
“BythetimeIescapedintoawoman’sshelter,whereIstayedforseveralyears,Iwantednothingto
dowithMilitiaWarriorsorpreternaturalpoweroranything.IfGriegandCarlyonwereexamplesofhow
advancedwewereasascendedvampires,thenIdecidedI’dlivealifemoreinkeepingwithMortal
earth.”
Endellewasfrowning.“Well,Iguessthatexplainsalot.Itakeityouweregoodathidingtheabuse.”
“Iwas.Butletmeaskyouthis,inallthesethousandsofyearsyou’velivedinourworld,didyou
neverfallintoanabusiverelationship?Notevenonce?”
“No.Never.ButI’veknownenoughabusedwomentounderstandit’sneversimple.Thehoneymoon
perioddoesarealnumberonthewoman’smind.”
“Itdoes,”Rachelsaid.“Itmakesyoualwayswanttobelievethebestofyourman,evenwhenhedoes
theunthinkable.”
Rachelhadexaminedherlifeandhermindathousandtimes,tryingtounderstandhowshe’dletthe
abusehappen.ButGrieghadbeensuchasweetheartinthebeginningandtoldherofhisownreally
difficultchildhoodsothatallhersympathieshadbeenplucked.Intheearlycourtshipdays,therehadbeen
afewsignsthatsomethingwasn’tright,butnothingthatshecouldeverlookbackonasarealredflag.
Grieghadbeenlovingandattentive.
Thefirstslap,however,hadtakenplaceontheirhoneymoon.He’dweptafterwardsandblamedhis
momentarynever-to-be-repeatedlossofcontrolonhischildhoodissues,soofcourseshe’dforgivenhim.
Andforgivenhim.
Andforgivenhim.
Therewouldbepresentsandbeggingafterthoseearlybeatings,andlotsoftearsdrippingdownhis
cheeks.Butafteratime,whenhermindhadbecomebentbyhisabuse,thegiftsandsobbinghadstopped
tobereplacedbyanunequalledcrueltyandalwaysthewords:youmakemedothistoyou.
Ithadtakenyearstoextricateherselfbothpsychologicallyandphysicallyfromwhathadgrownintoa
life-threateningrelationship.Andagooddecadetobecomefreeofthenightmares.
Endelle,stillholdinghercoffeecupinherhand,turnedaroundandretrievedthecoffeepot,then
toppedoffRachel’smug.Afterreturningthepottoitsplace,shereachedoutandtouchedRachel’s
shoulder.
Forabriefsecond,RachelhadthoughtHerSupremenesswasofferingcomfort.Instead,andfully
withoutwarning,shefoldedRachelbacktoherprivatequarters.
“Hey,”Rachelsaid,nowstandingbesidethechairshe’dsatinearlier.“Youcould’vetoldmewhat
youmeanttodo.”
“Whatthehellisthefuninthat?”
Rachelrolledhereyes,thenoncemoresatdowninthechairadjacenttothecouch.Shehadaclear
viewofDuncan’sface.Hiseyeswerestillopenandhe’dblinknowandthen,butotherwiseremained
immobile.
“There’sonemorething,”Rachelsaid.“CarlyonneverallowedDuncantoseehismotherfromthe
timetheydivorced.Duncanwassixandhadwonderfulmemoriesofher.Thenjustlikethat,heneversaw
heragain.”
“So,Duncansharedthiswithyou?”
“Overtheyears,yes.Inoneofouron-againmoments.”
“Well,shit.”Endellesatdownandsippedhercoffee.“Youwantmyopinion?”
LikeEndellewouldholdbackifRachelsaid‘no’.“Sure.Why,not?”
“Duncan’stherealdeal,youknow,despitehisfather’sheinousinfluence.He’soneofthosemenyou
knowwillalwaysbethere.ItrusthimthewayI’vealwaystrustedThorne.”
“Iknowwhatyoumean.He’dlaydownhislifeforme.Iknowhewould.”Herthroatachedbadlyand
shecouldn’tquiteseefortheunexpectedtears.
Butsheheldthembackthenrememberedsomething.“Hey,justsoyouknow,Thorne’shere.Isawhim
intheCommandCenter.”
SomethinglikehopeenteredEndelle’seye.Shestooduptooquicklyandsloshedhercoffeeonthe
carpet.ButshesetthemugdownandwithoutawordtoRachel,lefttheroom.
~~~
DuncanwatchedYolanthesnoringonherdaybed,herleopardstretchedoutbesideher.Thewoman
almostlookedharmless,sortoflikeahibernatingrattlesnake.
Hehadtothink.
Hehadtofindawaytobreakhermind-link.
HelookedbackovertheperiodoftimewhenhewaspulledoutofNewRiver,thentorturedinacell
onThirdEarth.
Sharav’sexcruciatingregimenofcarefullyinflictedpainhadservedapurpose,somethingDuncan
understoodverywellnow.SharavhadbeenworkingthewholetimetobringDuncan’spowersonline,
justashehadthroughSamuel’storture.
ThetorturehadworkedandDuncanwasnowaWarrioroftheBlood,somethinghefeltineverybone
ofhisbody.HewasleavingbehindhisserviceasaThunderGodWarriorandembracinganevenmore
difficultpath.
Healsoknewhewasmorethanjustawarriornow.Butwhatthatmeant,whathispathshouldbe,he
didn’tknow,atleastnotyet.
BecauseofwhatYolanthehadtoldhim,heknewhispowerwouldevolvetoapointthathewouldbe
abletofindamythicalplacecalledRapture'sEdge.Andwiththisawareness,Duncanfinallybeganthe
processoftakingadifferentviewofhiscurrentcaptivestate.
Ratherthanhuntforawayout,somethinghe’ddoneaccidentallythelasttime,hesankdeepintohis
ascendedvampirenature,intoallthathewasasalong-livedman.
He’dneverexploredwithin.Hisphysicallifeasawarrioralwayshadanexternalpurpose:wielding
asword,battlingdeathvampires,supportinghisbrothers-in-arms,makingwareverynightofhislife.
Hesankdeeperanddeeperuntilhecametothecoreofhisbeing,thesameplaceYolanthehadtaken
him,onlywithoutpainthistime.
Andthere,oncemore,hefoundYolanthe’slink,athrobbingamberpulse.
Healsoknewinhisgutthathecoulddestroythelinkandfreehimself.Butjustashereadied,he
paused.Ifhecouldbreakthelinkwhenhechose,maybehecouldmakeuseofitaswell.
YolanthewasthekeytoEndelle’svision.Whatifthelinkcouldbeusedtohisadvantage?
HavingcontrolofthesituationmadeDuncanrelax.Onlywhatnow?Shouldheendthecurrenttrance
orcontinueashewas?
Andjustashewasabouttodisturbthelinkenoughsothathecouldwakeupandtalkthingsoverwith
LukenandmaybeevenEndelle,avisionwasonhim.
Abattleatthepalace.
~~~
Endellefeltbetter.She’dtalkedtoThorneforfifteenminutesandtheexchangehaddonehera
boatloadofgood.She’dneverfeltamoroustowardThorne,thoughherrelationshipwithhimhadbeen
longandcomplex.Butwhenhe’dbrokenthemind-link,somethinginsideherhadachedbeyond
expressionandtoalesserdegree,nowthattimehadpassed,stilldid.
ButThornewasapowerful,commandingmanandmaybebecauseofthat,theburdenofherrule
alwaysfeltalittlebitlighterafterbeingwithhim.
ReturningtohersuiteandglancingdownatDuncan,however,thefeel-goodofthemomentended
abruptly.Duncanhadn’tmovedexactly,butsomethingrolledoffhim,makinghertenseupandevery
instinctshehadstartscreaming.
“Hasheshiftedpositionatall?”sheaskedRachel.
“No,notabit,butsomethinghaschanged.”
“Youcanfeelit,too?”
“Yes,”Rachelsaid,risingtoherfeet.“Likemaybehe’sbreakingfreeofthetranceagain.”
Atthesamemoment,sheheardLuken’svoiceashecalledtoThorne.LukenwasbackandThornewas
stillhere.ThanktheCreatorforthat;shefeltbetterknowingthatbothmenwereinthepalace.
Herheartnowbeatfuriouslyinherchest.
Somethingfuckedupwasgoingon.
ShemovedintotheCommandCenterandsawthatLukenhadbroughtthreemenwiththem,stillin
theirbattleuniforms.
ShekneweachofthembecausetheybelongedtoDuncan’ssquad.Shecrossedquicklytojointhem,
butwhenLukenstartedtointroducethemen,shecuthimoff.“Nevermindthat.Duncan’sstillinatrance
butIcantellsomething’sheadedourwaysinceeverynerveinmybodyisshoutingatme.”
Lukenglancedpasthershoulder.“Where’sDuncannow?”
“Onmycouch.”ShewavedatThorne,callingtohim,“You’dbettergetyourassoverhere.”
Thornesethisclipboarddownandheadedstraightforher.Whenhearrived,hecrossedhisarmsover
hischest.“What’sgoingon?”
“I’mnotsure,butIthinkithastodowiththeThirdEarthgrid.”
Lukenfrowned.“WherethehellisMerl?”
“Takinganaponmybed.”
“Wellyou’dbettertell‘theprincess’heshouldgethisassouthere.”
“I’mhere.”Merlheadedintheirdirection,hischindownashemoved,hisgazeshiftingfromside-to-
side.Toeveryone’ssurprise,heworeauniform,similartotheWhat-Bees,blackleatherkiltandall.Very
muchawarrior.“What’sgoingon,becausethere’savibeinthepalacethathasmyThirdEarthnerves
workedintoafrenzy.”
Endelleshookherhead.“We’renotsure.”
Merlnodded.“Ithinkyou’dbewisetogetsomewreckinggunsoverhereonthedouble.Thisfeels
likethegridtome,likethepalacehasbeentargeted.NotsureIcansaywhy,itjustdoes.”
“I’monit,”Lukensaid.“Merl,whileI’mgone,getthesemenuptospeed.”Hegesturedquicklyto
each.“Owen,Alex,Joshua.I’llberightback.”Hespokeintohisshouldercomashemoved,shouting
orderstothewarriorsondutyatMilitiaHQ.
Thornesaid,“Endelle,doyouhavereasontoexpectanattackhere?”
Endellefeltaterriblepressureonherchest.“Idon’tknow,probably.LikeItoldyouafewminutes
ago,YolantheisafterRachelandRachelisinmysittingroom.So,howaboutyoumoveyourpersonnel
outofhereandtakeasmuchofthisequipmentwithyouasyoucan.Thosegunswilldestroyeverything.”
ThorneturnedandstartedshoutingordersforeveryonetogettoApacheJunctionTwoandtotakethe
harddriveswiththem.Withinseconds,thedozenorsocomputertowerswerebeingloadedontoacart
andwheeledinthedirectionofthelandingplatforms.EachmemberoftheCommandCenterteamtuckeda
laptopunderhisorherarmandhurriedtowardtheplatformsaswell.
EndelleaddressedThorne.“Itakeityou’verundrillswithyourtechs.”
“DamnstraightIhave.”
CHAPTERFIVE
Death’sshadow
Bringswisdom.
CollectedProverbs–BeatriceofFourth
ThevisionofanimminentattackonthepalacehadDuncantenseashell.Hewasstilldeepinsidehis
vampirenature,andYolanthe’samberlinkcontinuedtoglow.
Withthewomanstillasleepnearby,hementallytouchedthelink.Hecouldfeelthenatureofitand
howmuchtheconnectivepowerfeltlikeYolanthe,acombinationofself-controlandnarcissism.
Heslowlybegantofeedhispowerintothelinkandwitheachsubtleincreasehebegantoriseto
consciousness.Hedidn’twanttowakethebeast;hejustneededtoslipoutofhistrance.
Thenextmoment,heblinkedseveraltimesandsawtheceilingofEndelle’sprivatesuite.
“Duncan?”Rachel’svoice.
Heslowlysatupashismindcleared.
Rachelwassittinginachairattheendofthecouch,hereyeswideasshemethisgaze.
“You’reback,”shesaid.Sherosefromherchair.
“Iam.”Butbecauseofthevision,hehadtoactquickly.“Ialreadyknowwe’reintroublehere.Tell
mewhat’shappening.”
ShegesturedtotheCommandCenter.“Lukenisherewithyoursquad.Merl’sinuniform,helpingout
aswell.Thorne,too.Endelleputthemallonalert.”
“Oh,thankGod.Whataboutweapons?”
“Idon’tknow.Istillhavethegunsfromthewreckerswhoshowedupinyourbedroom.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Rachelgaveherheadashake.“I’lltellyoulater.”Shepulledthetwogunsfrombehindherchairand
tossedonetohim.
“Ammo?”
Hewatchedherextendherhandandamomentlateraboxofatleastadozenshellsappeared.
Takingtheboxfromher,hesetitonthetable,loadedhisweapon,andslidseveralshellsintothe
pocketsofhiskilt.
Rachelhadnowheretostorehers,butsheplacedtwocartridgesinhergun.“Don’tworry.Icanfold
additionalshellsintomyhandsoI’llleavetheboxonthecoffeetable.”
Henodded,andwasabouttoheadintotheadjoiningroomwhentheinitialvisiononcemoreflitted
throughhishead.Therewouldbesomuchgunfire.“Rachel,Idon’twantyouinthere.Thisbattle’sgoing
tobemessy.”
Rachel’slipspartedbutnowordscame.Instead,shepressedherhandtoherchest.“I’msupposedto
bethere,withyou.Icanfeelit.Ithink…Ithinkweneedtobeinashieldedposition.”
Hethoughtforaminute,reflectingonwhathe’dseeninthevision.“That’sright.Weare.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Ihadavision.Infact,youshouldshieldmerightnow.”
Racheldrewclose.“Thisisgoingtobebad,isn’tit?”
“Verybad.”
HewatchedRacheltakeadeepbreath.Butwithherwreckerguninhandandwithouttouchinghim,
shebegantoformtheshield.Hecouldfeelherpowerflowinhisdirection.
Probablybecauseofthebreh-hedden,desireforherroseinaswiftstreamaswell.Heleanedclose
andslidhisarmbeneathhers,gratefulhewaswithher.Oncehemadecontact,however,powererupted
betweenthem.
“Canyoufeelthat?”sheasked,turningslightlytomeethisgaze.
“Yes.Thisisincomprehensible,thebreh-hedden.”
“Iknow.”
Hesqueezedherarm.“AndIdidn’tdowellafterwemadeloveandI’msorry.It’stheoldshit.I
didn’tmeantobesocold.”
“AndIknowthataswell.”
Lukenappearedinthedoorway,butcalledbackoverhisshoulder.“They’renotinhere.Ormaybe
Rachel’sshieldingDuncan.”
Endelle’svoicerangout.“Don’tworryaboutthem,justgetyourassoverhere.Now.Ihearrumbling.”
LukenwhippedaroundandheadedbackintotheCommandCenter.
DuncantookRachel’sarmandfollowedafterLuken.“Idon’twantyoutogethurt.”
“Iknow.Please,don’tworry.”
“Toolateforthat.”Hetriedtosuppressthefeelingthatthevisionhadn’ttoldhimeverything,but
couldn’t.
OncetheyreachedtheCommandCenter,DuncanexpectedEndelletosaysomething.Insteadshemet
hisgazeandnoddedtohim,awreckerguninhand.Clearly,shehadnothingonhermindrightnowexcept
preparingforbattle.Thiswasn’tEndelle’sfirstengagement,anditsureashellwouldn’tbeherlast.
Thewarriorsthatremainedinthenowotherwiseemptyrotundawerelinedupintwoarcsfacingthe
large,openairbalcony.Eacharcwasslantedofftothesideoftheopening.Thearrangementappearedthe
sameasithadinthevisionandthathelpedDuncantobreathealittleeasier.
Afamiliarrumblingsoundedthroughtheroomalongwithadistantmuffledexplosion.
Thewreckerswereclose.
Merl,nodoubtleaningonpastexperience,counteddown.“Five…four…three…two…one.”
Theairexplodedandwreckersbeganleapingintothespace,initiallyfiringatalltheemptytablesand
monitors.
Duncanunloadedasdideveryoneelse.Wreckersfell,butmorepouredinbehindthem,firingasthey
enteredthespace.
Lukenmovedfastandbeforethenextwreckercouldfire,heengagedmano-a-mano.Everyoneelse
loadedandfired,loadedandfired.
Someofthewreckersstayedhiddeninsidethegridonlytosuddenlyappearthendischargetheir
weapons.Duncanfeltshardsofmarblechewinguphislegswhichansweredatleastonequestion;he
wasn’tprotectedbehindtheshield,justinvisible.
Endelleshoutedprofanityassmokefilledtheroom.Shewavedherarmandthesmokedissipated.
Greattohavesomeoneofpowerkeepingthefieldclean.
Whenthewreckersdisappearedandthegridgrewquiet,Merlcalledoutawarningthattheretreat
wasafeint.Morewouldcomeanysecond.
Merldirectedeveryoneofftothesidesagain,outofthelineoffire.
“Jeannie,”Endelleshouted.“Getridofthesecorpses.”
Jeanniecalledout,“Onthree,coveryourpeepers.One…two…three.”Duncanclosedhiseyesfora
momentasaflashofbrilliantwhitelighthittheroom.Andjustlikethat,thebodiesanddebrisvanished.
Butasplit-secondlater,thewreckersreappearedintheopeningofthegrid,firingalloveragain.
DuncanwatchedOwenfalltotheground,hisrightarmcutupandbleedingbad.Butthescreamsand
cursesfrominsidethedarkeninggridtoldtheirowntale.
DuncanwasofficiallyoutofammoandcalledouttoEndelle.Becausehewasshielded,hewaspretty
surenooneelsecouldhearhim.
Endelleshoutedforanadditionalweaponforhim.
Owen,allthewayacrosstheroom,alertedEndelle,thentossedtheguntoherinahigharctoavoid
theconstantcrossfire.Shecaughtiteasilyinherhand.Asecondonefollowed.
EndelleslungeachoftheminturntoRachel,whopassedonetoDuncan.Eachcommencedfiring
again.
Thensuddenly,allactivityfromthegridceased.
“Anewsetofwreckersiscomingintoreplacethiscrew,”Merlshouted.“Everyonelieflatandget
ready.Endelle,letRachelandDuncanknow.”
Endelleresponded,“Theycanhearandseeeverything.”
“Okay.Goodtoknow.”
DuncandroppedtothefloorandRachelquicklystretchedoutbesidehim.Likehim,sheheldhergun
athershoulder,readytofire.Shewastrembling,butcomposed.
Anothergroupofwreckersappeared,sixshotgunsexploding.Ifanyofthepalacegrouphadbeen
standing,theywouldhavebeenhit.
Duncanfiredhisweaponquickly,reloadinginbetweenasfastashecould.Rachelcontinuedtofold
ammoinfromEndelle’ssuite,loadingandfiringasthoughshe’dbeendoingitforever.
Duncansawthatanewarrivalhadatightbeadontheirposition.Thewreckerwasaimingforwhathe
couldn’tseebutclearlyknewtobethere.Inaswiftmovement,DuncanpulledRachelclose,thenrolled
thembothswiftlytotherightatleasttenfeet.
Thewreckerfired,blastingaholeinthemarblefloorwherethey’djustbeen.
Rachelstartedtoreloadherweapon,butcameupemptywhenshetriedtofoldshellsfromEndelle’s
suite.
“Weneedmoreammo,”Rachelcalledout.
EndellereachedfortheboxnexttoherthensliditinRachel’sdirection,butitgotstuckontornup
piecesofthemarbletile.
Endellecursed,butwentrightbacktofiringherweapon.Wreckersdroppedoneaftertheother.
RachelleftDuncan,butthinnedtheshieldoutalittletoofarandbecamevisible.Shegrabbedthe
ammoandslidittherestofthewaytoDuncan.
“Rachel!Yourshield.”
EndellecalledhernameandtossedRachelagun.
Astwomorewreckersappearedinthegridopening,Duncanturnedhisattentiontothebattle.Both
facedinRachel’sdirection.
Heheardhergetoffashotasheliftedhisshotgunandfiredatalmostthesametime.Bothwreckers
alsogotoffshotsbeforetheyfelldead.
Theneverythingturnedunearthlyquiet.
Smokeoncemorefilledthespace.
EndellecalledforJeannie’sassistanceagain.Afteranothercount-downandclosingofeyes,thedead
wreckersdisappeared.
Merl’svoicethistime.“That’sit.Battle’sover.”
“Howdoyouknow?”Duncancalledoutrisingtohisfeet.Partsoftheroomwerehardtoseebecause
ofthesmoke.
Merlresponded.“It’salackofvibration.Yougetreallyfamiliarwithitinthegrid.Buthey,I’mgoing
tograbtheirgunsbeforethegridclosesup.”
Throughtheveilofsmoke,hewatchedMerlstepintothegridandbegintossingoutshotgunsandbelts
aswellasseveralmetalboxesofordnance.
Endelleoncemorewavedherarmandthesmokecleared.
Andthat’swhenheheardaterriblegurglingsoundnottwoyardsfromhim,onhisleft.
HeknewthenwhathadhappenedandturnedslowlytostaredownatRachel.She’dbeenhitalongthe
sideofherwaist,butthenatureoftheblasthadseverelydamagedherinternalorgans.Therewasblood
everywhere.
Inhisvision,hehadn’tseentheendofthebattle,justthebeginning.
EndellewasalreadyshoutingsomethingtoJeannieaboutgettingHoraceovertotheCommandCenter.
ThensuddenlyHoracewasrightthere,kneelingbesideRachelandworkinghishealingmagiconherfast
andfurious.
ButDuncanstillremainedasthoughfixedinplace,hisheaddizzy,hisheartpoundinghard.Hiseyes
burned.Andhecouldn’tmoveagoddammuscle.
Horacestartedshouting,callingforhisteamandforFiona,Jean-Pierre’sbreh.Fionahadtheabilityto
amplifyvariouspowers.
Together,HoraceandFionahadrecentlypulledDuncanbackfromthegraveaswell.
DuncanfinallyfeltcapableofmovementandkneltbesideRachel.Hetookherhandbuttherewasno
answeringresponsetothepressureofhisfingers.
“I’msorry,”hemurmured.“Ineverwantedthistohappen.”
Bloodpooledonherlipsanddrippeddownherface,butshemadeeyecontact.I’msocold.Socold.
No,Rachel.Don’tdothis.YoumustknowIloveyou.
Iknow.Butevenhertelepathicvoicefadedandhereyesclosed.
Rachel?
Hegotnoresponse.
HecouldfeelthehealingwavesasHoraceworkedhardtorebuildherorgans.Histeamarrived,
pushingDuncanoutoftheway.Hedidn’tprotest.
Instead,hestoodby,lookingdownatherbuthardlyseeingherthroughacloudoftears.Hefeltnumb
fromheadtofootasthoughhedidn’tevenexist.
AsurgeofpowerhadRachel’sbodyarching.Herlungsbarelymoved,though,asshemadesmall
gaspingsounds.
Fionaarrived.ShekneltbesideHorace,closedhereyes,andthenextmomentHorace’sbodystiffened
quicklythenrelaxed.Atthesametime,Fionaslidbackwardtolieproneandunconsciousonthefloor.
FionanowlivedinsideHorace.
Extraordinarywavesofhealingbegantoflowfromthehealer,amplifiedthroughFiona’spowerlike
nothingDuncanhadeverfeltbefore.
Hepressedafisttohismouthandwaited.
Duncan?Rachel’stelepathicvoice,butveryweak.
Yes?I’mhere.Wouldshebeallright?Wouldshelive?
There’sanangelbehindyouwithredhair.
Oh,fuck.
Hespun.
Yolanthe.
She’ddonethis.She’dsentthewreckerstothepalace.TokillRachel.
Heleaptforherandwrappedhishandsaroundherneck,squeezinghardbutnothinghappened.
Instead,shejustsmiledthendriftedaway.SomekindofThirdEarthholographicbullshit.Yolanthe’s
voicefloatedthroughhismind,I’mcomingforyou,Duncan.
ReturningtoRachel,hewatchedasaslightamountofcolorenteredhercheeks.Becauseoftheteam
workingonher,hecouldn’tgetclose,buthecouldholdhergaze.“Ihurt,”shewhispered.
Thosewordsbrokehimbecauseitmeantshewouldlive.Hot,stingingtearsfloweddownhischeeks.
Henoddedtoherinresponseandkeptwipingathisfacewiththepalmsofhishands.
Hesent,Justfocusonhealing.
Sheclosedhereyesoncemore.
Duncanhadnevertrulyunderstoodthenatureoflove,eitherbeinglovedorlovingsomeoneinreturn.
Mostly,hedidn’tknowhow.He’dhadeveryfineemotionbeatoutofhimbythetimehewasseven,
exceptforonething,onememory.Whenhewaslittle,hismotherhadoftensaidtohim:Iwillalways
carryyouinmyheart,nomatterwhereIam.
Theproblemwas,theonlythingheknewhowtodowellinhisrelationshipwithRachelwasthe
physical.Havingsexwithherwaswhathecalledlove,thoughitwasn’t,notreally.Yetsexwastheone
placehewasfreetoexpresswhatheknewwasinhisheart.
Therecentlovemakingwithherhadbeenbetterthaneverandthey’dhadmanyprevious,extraordinary
momentstogetherinbed.Butearlierathislakesidehome,almostassoonashe’dreleased,he’dshut
downallhisemotions,withdrawingfromher.
Rachelcalledit‘throwingupwalls’,anditwasexactlylikethat.
Buttonight,Rachelhadalmostdiedandifthey’dbeeninthefield,she’dbedead.Endelle’sinstant
communicationsystemhadsavedtheday,bringinginHoracequicklyandthenhisteamandFiona.
ThethoughtoflosingRachelwasmorethanhecouldbear.
Maybeitwasthebreh-hedden,buthewantedtotrytohavearealrelationshipwithher.
Rachel?
Sheopenedhereyesandshiftedherheadtolookathim.
Better?heasked.
Much.Duncan,arethosetearsinyoureyes?
Therewasnopointinlying.Ialmostlostyou.
Herbreathinghadnormalizedandhecouldseeshehadverylittlepainnow.Fiona’samplificationof
Horace’shealingpowerhadworkedswiftly.
Amomentlater,HoracestiffenedagainasFionaseparatedfromhim.Fionaawokeslowlyasshecame
backtoherself.Shesatupandtookseveraldeepbreaths,butlookeddepletedfromtheexperience.
HoraceimmediatelygotbacktothebusinessofcontinuingtohealRachel.Buthealsodirectedpartof
histeamtotakecareofOwen’sarmandtheminorcutsmostofthemhadfromflyingshrapnel.
WhenheglancedbackatRachel,shewasstaringathimandtearsnowsliddownthesideofherface.
Duncan,I’msosorry,butIdon’tthinkIcanmoveforwardwithyou.Andit’snotthebattleorthatIgot
wounded.It’sus.Ithurtstoomuchtobewithyou,yetnotreallywithyou.
OnlyonethoughtwentthroughDuncan’shead:hecouldn’tloseher.
Butwhatcouldhedoaboutit?
“Iwanttotry.”He’dsaidthewordsoutloudandwithenoughforcethatallactivityintheroom
stopped.
Inanyothercircumstance,hewouldhavebeenembarrassed.ButtherewassomethingaboutRachel
beingthatclosetodeaththatmadehimnotcarewhatanyonethought.
Rachelfrowned.“Doyouwanttotalkaboutthislater?”
Heshookhishead.“No.I’llsaythisinfrontofallthesepeople,becausedammit,Iwantthingstobe
different.Iloveyou.Ijustdon’tknowhowtoshowit.Yousee?”
Moretearstrackeddownthesideofherface.“Ido.”
HoracegesturedquietlyforthehealernearestDuncantomoveoutoftheway.Duncansankdownnext
toRachelandtookherhandoncemoreinhis,kissingherfingers.“Ican’tmakepromises,butIwantto
try.There’sjustbeensomuch…”
“Iknow.I’vealwaysbelievedinyourintentionsandithasn’tbeenallyourfault.Myhusbandruined
meforwarriors.TellmeyouknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.”
“Ido.”Henoddedseveraltimesinquicksuccession.
“Sowe’lltry?”
“Wewill.”Sheevensmiled,asuresignthehealingwasalmostcomplete.
Endelle,whostoodnearby,moanedthenmadeagaggingsound.“Wouldsomebodypleasegetme
awayfromthesetwo?I’mreadytopuke.Whydoesthebreh-heddenalwaysmakesuchsapsoutoftwo
perfectlydecentpeople?IfIeverbehavethisway,justtakemebehindthepalaceandshootme.”
ArippleoflaughterrolledthroughthewarriorsandFionagrinned.Jean-Pierre,havingjustarrived,
laughedaswell.Heslidhisarmsaroundhiswomanfrombehind,holdinghertight.
“Don’tpayanyattentiontoEndelle,”Fionasaidquietly,onehandonJean-Pierre’sface,caressingher
breh.
“Iheardthat,”thescorpionsaid.
Withthehealingcomplete,Rachelhadthehealersleanback.Inthewayofpowerfulascenderswho
couldfoldclothesfromonedimensiontothenext,Racheldonnedalightgreenrobe,replacingherbattle-
damagedclothes.
Duncanthenhelpedhertoherfeet,butslidanarmaroundherwaistincasesheneededsupport.
Thedarkeninggridwaslonggone,sealedup,nodoubt,bytheThirdEarthgridoperators.Becausethe
gridfloatedinamysteriousway,notwoexitpointsremainedthesame.IfYolanthewantedtohuntfor
Rachel,she’dbestartingoveranditwouldtaketimetofindheragain.
AndtherewasnoreasontothinkYolanthehadchangedhermindaboutwantingRacheldead.
~~~
Rachelwantedbadlytobeinherownhome,butEndelleaskedhertostayforalittlewhile,until
they’dfiguredafewthingsout.ButHerSupremenessdidallowRacheltouseherbathroom.
Thebattle,thesevereinjury,andthesubsequenthealinghadleftRachelfeelingusedupandedgy.A
showerwasjustwhatsheneeded.
Sheletthehotwaterbeatonherhead,armsandshoulders.Shehadn’twantedtowashherhair,butthe
smokefromthebattlepermeatedeverystrand.
Occasionally,shetouchedherstomach,unabletobelievejusthowmuchpainshe’drecentlyendured.
Andnowshewasasgoodasnew.
Sherecalledlyingonherback,staringupattheceiling,andwonderingwhyshecouldseethestars.
She’dunderstood,then,justhowcloseshewastodeathandhowshe’dhadonefootintheother-world,
theplacetheCreatorlived.
Shefeltchangedinsomeindefinableway,yetnotalot,justmorelikeherself,morealive.
Shuttingofftheshowerheads,shetoweleddrythenwenttoworkonherhair.Becauseitwaslong,it
tooksometimetogetdry.
Afterward,shesampledsomeofEndelle’snumeroustoiletriesandsettledononethatsmelledlike
powderyflowers.Shesavoredthesensationasshesmoothedthelotionoverherarms,herchest,her
healedabdomen,andherlegs.Itfeltgoodtobealive.
Sheputonapalebluecottondressthatrantoherankles,thenslidintonavyflats.Shefoldedher
brushintoherhand,flippedherheadforward,andworkedtherestofthetanglesout.Sherecalledhow
Duncan,inyearspast,wouldholdherhairwhenhetookherfrombehind.
Duncan.
Whatwasshesupposedtodowithhim?Shefeltthecallofthebreh-heddenworkinginsideheragain;
desirewasneverfaraway.
Hesaidhewantedtotry,buthowrealisticwasthat?
Aknocksoundedonthedoor.
“Rachel?”Duncan’slowvoiceflowedthroughherchest,workingherheartasthoughmassagingwith
fingers.
“I’mhere.”
“Howareyoufeeling?Youokay?”
Sheknewonlyonething-Duncanwouldbedeadifshehadn’tengagedinthebattle,ifshehadn’t
playedthewarrior,somethingshedespised.She’dshotatawrecker,andhithisarmsothathisshotwent
wide.
Thenshe’dbeenhit.
Herthroatstartedtoache.
~~~
Rachellived.
Duncanfeltreallyodd,asthoughacushionofairwaspermanentlyfixedbetweenthesolesofhis
battle-sandalsandthemarblefloor.
Rachellived.
Shewasbehindthedoor,havingshowered,buthecouldsmellherrich,gardenscentandhewantedto
benearher.
Hetookslow,deepbreaths.
Theadrenalinehadfinallypassedaswellasthefeelingofnear-lossthatshe’dalmostdied.
IfYolanthekeptthisup,hecouldloseRachel.Hedidn’tknowwhattodo,andhefearedgivingvoice
toanyofhisconcerns,asthoughspeakingthemaloudwouldmakethemmorereal.
Whensheopenedthedoor,hisheartalmostcollapsedinhischest.Shewassobeautifulwithherhair
athickblondmassaroundhershouldersandhereyesbrightwithtears.
Heopenedhisarmsandshefellagainsthischest.“What’swrong?”Thequestionseemedabsurd
giventheircircumstance.
Nothing.Everything.Duncan,I’mscared.
Herfrightenedvoiceinsidehisheadcrushedhisheartalittlemore.God,hehaditbad.
Heheldher,rubbingherbackgently.“Ofcourseyou’rescared.”
“No,”shesaid,pullingawayslightlytolookathim.“It’snotwhatyouthink.Duncan,youalmost
died.”
Hefrowned,perplexed.“What?No,youalmostdied.”Maybetherecentexperiencehadconfusedher.
Sheshookherheadandpressedherfaceintohisneck.“IfIhadn’tfiredthatlastshot…”
Hemadeaquickreviewofthelastpartofthebattle,whenshe’dreachedfortheammoEndellehad
slidtowardherandasaresulttheshieldhadvanished.He’dbeenonthefloor,awreckergunleveledat
him.Nowthathethoughtback,herealizedthatthewrecker’srightarmhadjerkedwhenhe’dbeenhit,his
shotgoingoffinanotherdirectionandexplodingoneofthedesksnearDuncan.
Rachelwastheonewhohadfiredhergunatthewreckeranddeflectedtheshot.She’dsavedhislife.
ButitwastheotherwreckerwhohadfiredatRachel.ButthanktheCreatortheshothadgoneoff-
center.IfRachelhadtakenafullhittothegut,shewouldhavebeenseveredintwo.
Duncanshudderedbutquicklyreinedinthehorrorofthisaddedreality.Hewouldhavediedaswellif
notforRachel.Finally,hesaid,“Well,itdoesn’tmatterexceptwe’rebothherenowandwe’reboth
alive.”
Shesighedheavily,herfingersstrokinghisarmsandhisback.
Heheldherforalongtime,notwantingthemomenttoendanddefinitelynotcertainwhereheshould
gofromhere.Infact,hedidn’tknowwheretheycouldpossiblygotobesafefromthewreckers.These
gridwarriorshadalreadysucceededinfindingRachelathishomeandnowhereinEndelle’spalace.
Whereelsecouldtheygo?
Hefeltherexhaustion,though.Ithadbeenone,longdayandanevenlongernight.Ithadtobeatleast
twointhemorningnow.Timetoretire.
Hervoiceslidthroughhismind.Duncan,willyousharemybedtonightonMortalEarth?
Hedrewbackslightlyandpushedherhairawayfromherface.Heleaneddownandkissedher.“I
don’twanttobeanywhereelse.”
“Doyouthinkwecouldleavenow?Evenmybonesachewithfatigue.”
“Ithinkweshouldseeeveryonefirst.Iknowthey’llwanttobeassuredyou’reokay.Butafterthat,
yes,Endellesaidwecouldgo.”
“Soundsgood.”
HeledherbackintothemainrotundatowhichtheCommandCenterstaffhadalsoreturned.New
equipmenthadalreadystartedarrivingtoreplacethedamagedtables,chairsandflatscreens.Thorneran
atightship.
EndellestoodtalkingquietlywithMerl,whileLukenwashuddledwithOwen,Joshua,andAlex.
FionaandJean-PierrewerelonggoneanditlookedlikeThornehadreturnedtoNorthAfricaaswell.
Merl,Luken,andDuncan’ssquad,aswellastheentireCommandCenterpersonnel,allcheeredwhen
heandRachelappearedatthethresholdoftheroom.
EndellepraisedRachel.“Welldone,ascender.Youreadytojointheteamandstopholdingback?”
RachelturnedtofaceEndelle.“Iwon’tbebullied,notbyyouorbyanyone.Youshouldknowthatby
now.”
Endelleheldhergazeforalongmoment.Duncanfeltthetensionmountbetweenthetwowomenas
RachelreturnedEndelle’sstareinfullforce.Heknewenoughnottointervene.Rachelwouldn’thave
alloweditanyway,havingalreadymadeitclearthiswasherbattle,andshewasright.Rachelwould
havetoresolvethingswithEndellebyherself.
Endellenodded.“Fairenough.Ifyouwereapushover,youwouldn’tbefitfortheteamanyway.”
Sheliftedherchin.“AndDuncanandIwillbeatmyhomeintheSeattleOneColonyfortherestofthe
night.”SheglancedatDuncan.
Henodded.“Ifanyofyouneedus,youcanreachmeonmycell.”
Luken,frowning,asked,“Areyousurethisiswise?Imean,whatifthewreckersreturn?”
Duncansmiledruefully.“Seemstome,wewon’tbesafeanywhere.ButwehaveRachel’sshielding
powerandabetterideahowitworks.Andasallofyouknow,Rachelcanuseawreckinggun.”
“Here,here,”Owencalledout,hisarmhealedupbyHorace’steamaswell.
“Speakingofwhich,”Lukensaid,grabbingtwoofthegunsandaboxofshells.“Takethesewithyou.”
Duncantooktheguns,cradlingtheminhisarm.Racheltooktheshells.Biddingeveryonegoodnight,
heheadedwithRacheltothelandingplatforms.
Oncesituated,hefoldedthembothtothelandingplatformsattheSeattleOneColonyandgreetedthe
MilitiaWarriorsonduty.Foldingwasallowedwithintheconfinesofthemossy-mistdomethatkeptthe
colonyinvisibletothemortalsinthearea,soheandRachelmadeaquicktripofittoherhome.
Thecabin-likehousehadasmallfrontgarden,andhesawRachel’shandintheamountofspring
flowersbloomingbeneathamicro-climate.Sheevenhadapatchoflawn,aweepingwillowofftothe
rightandanornamentalbirchtotheleft.Thecurvedfrontpathwayhadastringofdarkbrown,metal
lights,eachintheshapeofadownwardfacingdaffodil.Thefrontwindowshadblueshutters,whiledark
woodshinglescoveredtheentireoutsideofthehouse.
Therewasevenawreathonthedoor,verywoodsyandhomey.
AllofitwassomuchlikeRachelthathischestsqueezeduptight.“Youhaveaverysweethome.”
“Itissweet,butdoyouthinkit’sridiculous?”
“Ithinkit’slovely,justlikeitsowner.”
Sheslidherarmsaroundhiswaist.“I’vebeenhappyhere,Duncan.Idon’twanttogiveupthislife.”
Henodded.“Iknow.AndhonesttoGod,Idon’twantyouto.Insomerespects,youmustfeellikea
horriblemistakehasbeenmade.”
Hereyeswidened.“Ifeelthesameway,asthoughit’sonebig
WTF
.”
Duncanlaughedandkissedher,afullkiss,holdingnothingback.Hefeltherrelaxassheleanedinto
him.
Drawingback,Duncanglancedaroundandsawacoupleofherneighborsweresittingontheir
porches.“Maybeweshouldtakethisinside.”
Shesmiled.“Goodidea.”
Slippingherhandinhis,sheledtheway.
Whenhecrossedthethreshold,herealizedthehousewasmuchbiggerthanitlooked.Thefoyer,with
oakfloors,openedupontoalargelivingroomwithfurniturebigenoughforevenhiswarrior-sizebody.A
bankofwindowsbeyondgavewaytoaviewofhergarden,aportionofwhichwasscorched.
“Oh,”shemurmured.“Iforgot.”Heheardthedismayinhervoice.
Thewreckershadleftdamageinwhatotherwisehecouldtellwasawell-workedstretchofland
buttinguptotheCascadeforestbeyond.Acharredangledpathhadcutagapingholeamongshrubs,trees,
androwsofvegetableswherethewreckershadfiredtheirguns.
“Doyouwanttogooutthere?Havealookaround?”
HecouldfeelRachel’ssadnessassheshookherhead.“Itwilltakeseveraldaysworkandafew
shoppingtripsintothelocalSeattlenurserytoreplacewhat’sbeendestroyed.AndI’mwaytootiredto
dealwithitrightnow.”
Sheturnedtowardhimandofferedupahalf-smile.Shethenledhimdownthehalltotheright.He
passedalibrarythatfacedthebackyard,asmallbedroomontherightandfinallyreachedhermaster
bedroomwhichalsohadaviewofthegarden.Fortunately,thispartofthelandscapinghadn’tbeen
touchedbywreckershellsandreflectedthesamelookasthefrontyardwithastretchofwell-mowed
grass,bedsthickwithshrubsandflowers,andafewsmallornamentaltreeshereandthere.
Therewasevenabirdbath–vintageRachel.
Butheloveditbecauseitwasher.Andbecause,despitethegapingcan’t-connect-well-with-anyone
holeinhispsyche,she’dbroughthimintoherhome.
HesettheshotgunsonthefloornearthebedandRacheladdedtheboxesofshells.
“I’vealreadyshowered,”shesaid,gesturingtotheensuitebathroom.“Butfeelfree.”
“Isthatahint?”
Shegrinned.“Whatdoyouthink?You’vejustbeeninbattle.Theshotgunsmokewenteverywhere.”
Helaughedandheadedtothebathroom,butjustforfun,hewavedahandandfoldedoffhisuniform
beforeheevenreachedthedoor.
HeheardRachelgaspandafterwardaheavyflowofherbondingscent,smellingoftherichearthof
hergarden,returnedtohim.
Hesmiledasheturnedonthethreeshowerheadsinwhatprovedtobearoomystall.Maybeshe’d
imaginedhiminthisspace.Thenextthought–thatshe’dbuilttheshowertosharewithothermen–had
himgrowlingsoftly.Notsurprising,hisfangsmadeanappearance.
Hedidn’tbotherretractingthemsincehefullyintendedtousethemoverthenexthourorso.
~~~
Rachelstoodcompletelystillatthefootofthebed.Duncanhadstunnedherbygettingridofhis
clothesashewalkedintothebathroom.Thesightofhismuscularbareass,narrowwaistandincredibly
broadshouldershadsentshockwavesofvisualpleasurefirstthroughhermindthenripplingdownher
body.
Sheremainedalmostslack-jawedwithherlipspartedandherbreathscominginstrangehitched
gasps.
Shewastemptedtofollowafterhim,butdecided,instead,totaketimegettingherselfandthebedroom
ready.Shestartedbydrawingthecoversbackonthekingsizebed.
Duncanwasthefirstmanshe’deverbroughtintothisbedgivenitwasjustafewweeksold.She
hadn’tlivedintheSeattleOneColonyverylong,buthadtakenpainstoremodeltheentirehouse,
includingthebedroom.
Maybeshe’devenhadhiminmindsincetheceilingheightineachroomanddoorwayhadbeen
raised,thebathroomexpandedtocreatealargeshower,andthefurniturebigenoughtohousehiswarrior
frame.Endellewasright;shewasdrawntowarriortypes.
Shetrembledassheslowlyfoldedthegreensilksheetback,alongwiththequilt,gatheringbothupin
herarmsandsettlingthemonanearbywing-backchair.
SinceDuncanhadgivenherashock,shedecidedtoreturnthefavor.Shewalkedoutontotheback
patioandpluckedaredrosefromanearbyshrub.Shebeganpullingthepetalsoffoneaftertheother.
Returningtothebed,shefoldedoffherdressandshoes,herbraandthong.Thenwiththepetalsstillin
handshestretchedherselfoutonthebed.
Shelayeredafewofthepetalsoverherlandingstrip,afewoneachbreast,andtherestinaline
runningdownherabdomen.Ataboutthesametime,sheheardtheshowerstoprunning.
Duncancalledtoherfromthebathroom.“Youknow,Rachel,I’vebeenthinking…”
“Yeah?”sheresponded,hergazefixedtothedoorway,waiting.
“Maybethere’sawaytohaveyoubeinvolvedintheteamwithoutreallybeingpartofit.Morelikea
liaisonposition.Whatdoyouthink?”
“Ithinkmymindisn’tontheblackopsteam…atall.”
Heappearedinthedoorway.“Whynot?Uh…holyshit…”
Shesmiled,thenbegansmoothingawaythepetalstorevealhernipples.“Thesearefrommygarden.”
“I’mbeginningtoloveyourgarden.”
“Ithoughtyoualwaysdid.”
Hisnostrilsflaredashisgazeslidthelengthofher.Shepressedherhanddownherabdomen,nextto
thelineofpetals,goingveryslowbutnotstoppinguntilshewasmassagingherselflow.
Asoftgrowlreturnedtoherfromacrosstheroom.
Duncanlookedmagnificentwithheavypecsthatmadehermouthwater,arippled,washboard
stomach,andabulgeill-concealedbeneaththetowelaroundhiswaist.
Hemovedslowly,hisfangsrestingonhislowerlip.“You’retouchingyourself.”
“I’lldomorethanthat.”Shespreadonelegwideanddrewupherknee,thenslidherfingerlowerand
piercedherwell.Duncanhadalwaysenjoyedwatchingherpleasureherselfandmorethanoncethey’d
cometogetherwhilemasturbatingandkissing.
Duncanhadalwaysbeenthemosteroticlovershe’deverhad.
Assheplungedherfingerinandout,heslowlyunwrappedthetowel.Hergazefollowedthesexyline
ofhairbeneathhisnavelandtraveledtowhatwasfullyerect.
“Duncan?”
“Yes?”Hisvoicehadfallenintothelowesttimbres.
“I’msohungry.”Shelickedherlips,hergazefixedontheswollenheadofhiscock.
“Thenletmefeedyou.”
Hecrawledacrossthebed.Whenhereachedher,heleanedoverher,plantingahandonthefarsideof
herbody.Hewasbreathingroughassheusedherfreehandandheldhiscock,tugginghimgentlytoward
hermouth.
Hemadethenecessaryadjustmentsandasherhipsrockedandherfingerworkedherwell,shetook
hiscockintohermouth.
Hegroaned.
“Areyouenjoyingtheview,”shesaid,lickingthecrownseveraltimes.
“Idon’tknowwhichIlikemore–yourhandpleasuringyourbodyoryourtongueandmouthmaking
mehardasarock.”
Sheclosedhereyesandsavoredthevelvetyfeelofhiscock.Shegroundherhipsintothebed,rocking
hardnow.Shewasclose.
“Iwantyoutocome,Rachel.Canyoucomewhilesuckingme?”
Sheswitchedtotelepathy.IcancomebecauseI’msuckingyou.Ilovethefeelofyourcockinmy
mouth.Nowrockintome.
Becausethey’dbeenloversbefore,heknewwhatshewantedandbegantomouth-fuckher.
Loweringherotherhandtocreateagreaterpressureonhermons,shesuckedDuncangreedily.He
thrustinandoutofhermouth,whileshesucked.Shecouldn’tholdbackaseriesofmoans.
Bothyourhandsareworkingyourbodynow,Rachel.It’sbeautifultowatchyoupleasureyourself.
I’mreadytocome,Duncan.Mouth-fuckmefaster.
Withquickjerksofhiships,hiscockmovedinandoutofhermouth.Andforwhateverreason,the
sensualityofhisthrustingcockcombinedwiththepressureofherhands,broughthertoanexquisite
climax.
Shemoanedaroundhiscockastheorgasmsweptthroughher,creatingariverofpleasurethatmoved
upherwellinaseriesoftightpulses.Ecstasyspreadlikeafireworkthroughherchestandupintoher
mind.
Wasthereanythingbetterthanthefeel-goodofanorgasm?
Whenthewavepassed,shereleasedhiscockandletherhandsfallaway.
Duncanshiftedtoliebesideher.Hekissedherforehead,hercheek,anddraggedhislipsslowlyto
Frenchkissherear.Hefondledherbreasts,afterwarddippinglowtocaressbetweenherthighs.Hehad
large,fleshyhands,verysoftandsensual.Itwasn’tlongbeforeherhipsbegantoriseandfalloncemore.
Afteramoment,heleftherearandlookedather.“Sexwithyouhasalwaysbeenanamazing
experience.”
“Ifeelthesameway.Weseemsomehowin-syncwhenitcomestothebedroom.”
Hekissedherlips.“Orthekitchen,thelivingroom,withwingsintheair,inapool,inapublic
bathroom.”
Shesmiledandcaressedhisface.“Andnowthisscentyouhaveisunbelievable,veryspicy,a
wonderfulciderscent.”
“Andyousmellliketherichearthinyourgarden.”Hekissedheragainandshepartedforhim.He
sankhistongueandbegantopulseinandout.
Shesuckledgently,savoringallthathewas.
Herhandlandedonhismuscledarm,andheflexedbeneathhertouch.Takingarosepetalfromher
stomach,hedrifteditoverhercheekandherlips,thenkissedthepetalagainstherskinsoshefeltthe
velvetoftheflowerandthepressureofhistongue.
Drawingback,hethumbedherlips,touchingthesidesofherfangs.Whenhadherfangsdescended?
“Iwanttofeedyouagain,Rachel.AndIwantyoutobiteme.”
Animageflowedthroughhermind.Sheknewwhatshewanted.“Lieonyourback,then.”
Heturnedandshiftedposition.Shemovedwithhimuntilshestraddledhiships,carefulnottoinjure
whatwasstillsofirm.Withherhandsplantedonhischest,sheliftedherhipstodrifthersexoverhis
arousal.
“Oh,God,Rachel,youfeelsogood,sowet.”
HerbodybegantoheatupwithDuncanbeneathher.Hisdampdarkbrownhair,sweptbackfromhis
face,accentuatedhisstrongcheekbonesandjawline,thestraightlineofhisnoseandthebeautyofhis
greeneyes.Hewasanincrediblyhandsomeman.
Sheliftedherhipsupandreacheddownwithherhandtopositionhiscockagainstherwell.She
easeddownonhimandwatchedhisheadrollandhiseyesclose.Hishipsresponded,risingandfalling.
Sheletthesemovementsworkhiscockinsideherdeeperanddeeperuntilshejoinedintherhythm.
Sheleanedoverhim,plantingherhandsoneithersideofhishead.“Ineedyourblood,Duncan.”
Hemoaned,hisfangspressingintohislipsasheturnedhishead,presentingherthroatforhim.
Shesawhisveinthrobbing,andherwelltightenedaroundhishardcock.Hegrabbedherhipsand
heldherinpositionwhilehecontinuedtothrustintoher.
Shelickedhisthroatrepeatedly,hernipplestighteningatthethoughtoftakingwhatsheneededfrom
him.Sheangledherheadandwithaquick,practicedstrike,hitthedepthsheneededandthebloodbegan
toflow.
Retractingherfangs,sheusedherlipstoformasealaroundthesmall,eroticwoundandbeganto
suck.
Yourblood,Duncan.Evenyourbloodtastesoffireandsex.Ican’tgetenough.
Hisdeepvoicepenetratedhermind.I’mgoingtobringyou
.
Doyouwantthat,Rachel?Doyouwant
anotherorgasmwhileyou’redrinkingmedown?
Yes.Please,yes.
Stillholdingherhips,hethrustfaster.Andallthewhile,shesuckledathisthroat.Hisbloodwasa
life-force,feedinghervampirehungerandteasinghersexintoabonfireofitsown.
Stillsuckling,shecriedout,amuffledsoundwhichmadeDuncandriveintoherfasterstill.
Theorgasm,intensifiedbyhisblood,forcedhertoleavehisveinandtoriseupcryingoutwith
ecstasy.Pleasurecontinuedtounfurlinsideheruntilherbodyfinallyrelaxed.Shestayedwitheyes
closed,impaledonDuncan.
Hewassohardinsideherandsmallaftershockskeptherclenchingaroundhim.
Whensheopenedhereyes,shesawthatDuncanwasbreathinghard,hisneckmusclestense.Shewas
prettysuresheunderstoodwhyandleaneddowntokisshim.
“What’sthematter?”sheteased.“Didthatfeeljustalittletoogood?”
Helaughed.“Youhavenoideahowharditistokeepfromreleasingwhenyourbodyisholdingmy
dickinagripastightasyours.”
She’dalwayslovedtheintimacytheysharedthroughsex.Ifonlyitcouldbemore.IfonlyDuncan
couldreallyletgoandembracehisloveforher.
Butrightnow,whatshewantedwasforDuncantoknowpleasureinthesamewayhe’dgivenhera
thrill.Shestrokedhisfacewithherhand.“Tellmewhatyouwant.I’lldoanything.Howdoyouwantto
come?Whatwouldpleaseyou?”
~~~
Duncanpushedherlonghairbehindherbackandstrokedtheveinatherneck.God,heloveddoing
thiswithRachel.He’dtrulyforgottenthiswaswhytheyalwayscamebacktoeachother.Theirchemistry
inbedhadtobesomekindofrecord,inanydimension.
Buthowdidhewanttofinish?Heknewhewantedtomakehercomeagain.GivingRachelpleasure
wasoneofthebestexperiencesofhislife.Thishecoulddo,withoutreservation,withoutholding
anythingback.“Iwanttorestrainyou.”
Theansweringshudderofexcitementwasitsownanswer,butheneededtohearhersayit.“Tellme
it’sokayandyouwantit.”
“Iwantit,Duncan.Bindme,biteme.Takemenow.”
Heliftedheroffhim.“Liedownonyourbackandspreadyourlegsforme.”
Shequicklystretchedoutbesidehim.Hercheekswereflushed,hereyesglittering.
Hemovedtoherlowerrightleg.Puttinghishandonherankleandwithhisabundantpower,hebound
hertothebed.Shegasped.“Oh,Duncan.”
“NotalkingunlessIsayit’sallright.”
“Yes,Master.”
Hemovedtoherrightankleandcreatedasecondbinding.Thenhedidthesamewitheachwrist.
Whenhewasdone,shewasspreadoutonthebed,herblondhairtumbledoverthegreensilksheet.
Shemoanedsoftly,herbodywrithingandwaiting.Shesmelledlikethelushgardensshecreated
wherevershelived.
Hepositionedhimselfbetweenherlegsandsniffedhersex.Hiscocktwitched.Helickedalineup
herlandingstripthenbeganteasingherwithhistonguebetweenherfolds.
Shegaveacryandhewenttowork.Takingherinhismouthhesuckeduntilhercriesweresteadyand
shewasclosetocomingagain.
Thenhesatbackonhisheels.
Hermouthwasparted,herbreathingragged.Hewaitedforhertocalmdown,wantingthislastclimb
tothepinnacletobeintense.
“Youmayspeak.”
“You’rekillingme,Duncan.Iwassoready.”
Hesmiled.“Good.You’rerightwhereIwantyou.”Herepeatedtheprocess,takinghertotheedge
overandoverbutnotlettingherfinish,evenwhenshebeggedhim.
Whenhefeltherreachtheperfectblendoffrustrationandneed,hetookhiscockinhishand.“Isthis
whatyouwant?”
Shewaspanting,hereyeswild.“Yes.Please,Duncan,Ican’ttakeanymore.”
Hedrewclosetoherwellandletherfeeljusttheheadofhiscock,butdidn’tpushin.
“Areyousurethisiswhatyouwant,Rachel?”
“Yes.”Herhipsrockedonthebed.“Please.”
“Whatdoyousay?”
“Please,Master.”
Duncanlovedhavingherinthisposition,begginghim,fullyaroused,herscentthickinhisnostrils.
“ThenI’mgoingtogiveittoyou.”
Hebegantoeaseintoherandwitheachpush,herchestroseandfellonasharpgasp.Itwouldn’ttake
muchtomakehercome,sohetookitslow,glidingintoherwarmwetness,andwatchingdesperate
sensationspassoverherfeaturesrepeatedly.
Hedrewhiscockbackoverallthesensitivetissues,thenplungedinquickly.Herwholebodyjerked
andshecriedoutagain.“Oh,God,thatfeelsgood.”
HelovedsexingRachelup,givingherthismuchpleasurewithhiscock,watchingherheadrollback
andforth.Andhelovedthepowerhehadoverher,thatshetrustedhimenoughtolethimdothistoher.
Hesettledhisforearmsoneithersideofherhead,holdinghimselfupsohecouldcontinuewatching
her.Hekepttherhythmsteady.
Shewasrightontheedgeagain.
Hestoppedandherbrowsdrewtogether.“No,please.Duncan.”
Hebegantodriveintoheragain,andaseriesofcriesoncemoreleftherlips.“Iwantyourthroat.I
wanttobedrinkingfromyouwhenIcome.”
Shedidn’tsayanything,butrolledherhead,exposingthepulseofherwaitingvein.Keepingthe
thrustsofhiscocksteady,andfromlotsofpractice,heangledhishead,struckwithhisfangs,andtasted
herrich-earthbloodflowingintohismouth.
Assoonasherbloodhithisstomach,hispowerbegantoflow,bothphysicalandwhatexisteddeep
withinhisvampiresoul.
Rachel,staywithme,beinsidemyhead.
I’mhere,Duncan.
Yourbloodisanelixirfromthegods.Iswearit.I’veneverfeltsopowerful.
Letmeusemyhands.
Hereleasedthebindingsonherwristsandsheembracedhim,herhandsstrokinghisshoulders,his
arms,thenhiswing-locks.Hearchedfromthepleasureandhishipsspedup.
Herblood.
Hersex.
Herhandsrubbingthesensitiveaperturesofhislocks.
Rachel.
Bringme,Duncan.Bringmelikefire.
Hishipstookover,movingfasterstill.Theorgasmbarreleddownonhimashisballsbegantorelease
hisseed,pulsingthroughhiscock.Hegrunted,evenashesuckled.Thepleasurewasincrediblyintense.
Heheardherscreamingasshedughernailsintohislocks,addingtoalltheoverwhelmingsensations.
Andhekeptcoming.
Hethrustinandoutofher,hisbodyreleasingasecondtime.
Hefeltherpause,thenshewasscreamingagain,holdinghimfiercely.
Hedispelledthebindingsonheranklesandshewrappedherlegsaroundhiships.
Duncan,it’sneverbeenlikethis.You’vecomemorethanonce.
Iknow.
Shewasbreathinghard,andhewassureshewasweeping.
Buthisbodyrevvedupathirdtime,andoncemorehedrovefastandhard.Hercriesagainechoed
aroundtheroom,whileherarmsgrippedhisback,andherlegs,hisbuttocks.
Anentiregalaxyofstarsfilledhisheadasthefinalorgasmstreakedthroughhim.Hereleasedher
vein,risingupandarchinghisback.Heroaredhispleasureagainandagain.
Hewasbreathinghardwhenhefinallysettleddownontopofher.Hewasabigmuscledmanand
didn’twanttocrushher,sohesustainedhispositionwithhisarms.
Butheremainedconnected.
Herfingersstrokedthenapeofhisneck.Heshiftedandfoundherlips,kissingheroverandover.He
didn’twantthemomenttoend.
Butevenasthethoughtwentthroughhishead,averydifferent,butveryfamiliarsensationofpanic
rosewithinhim.Hecouldn’tbethisclosetoRachel.Hecouldn’tstayinthisposition.
Hestartedtopullback,butshecaughthim,grippinghisshouldershard.“Duncan,don’t.Lookatme.
Youhavetotry.”
Heshookhishead.“Rachel,Ican’t.Youdon’tunderstandme.Youneverhave.”
“Yousaidyouwouldtry.”
“Thisthing,”heliftedupandputahandtohischest.“It’slikeasnakethatkeepsbiting.Ican’tbe
close.Ican’t.”
Andwithoutanotherthought,Rachellethimgo.
Buthedidn’tknowwhy.Usually,shepushedhimandargued.
~~~
Rachelwasstunned.Yes,Duncanwasbuildinghiswall,butthistimehe’djustsaidmoretoherabout
whathewasfeelingthanduringalltheon-and-offtimesthey’dbeentogether.
She’dheardthepanicinhisvoiceasthoughithadechoeddowntheyears.
“Whathappenedtoyourmother?”sheasked.
Hemadeeye-contact,anotherunusualresponse.“Whyareyoutalkingabouther?”
“Didshedie?”
“I…Idon’tknow.”
“WhatdidCarlyontellyou?”
“Thatsheneverwantedtoseemeagain.”
Oh,God.
Shecouldsensehispainasheleftthebedandmovedintothebathroom.
Andforthefirsttimesinceshe’dbeeninvolvedwithDuncan,shedidn’tjustlashoutathis
withdrawal.Shedidn’texactlyunderstandwhyshewasn’tyellingathimrightnow.Butshethoughtit
mighthavesomethingtodowithherownpartintheirfighting-drama.
Sherealizedthattheprofoundeventsmovingthroughherlifewerehavinganeffectonhersoulas
muchastheywerecontinuingtoshiftthepathofherlife.Hernewpowers,forwhateverreason,were
forcinghertowardDuncan,tobewithhim,toengagewithhim.
Andsomethingwithinherstoppedfighting.
Foldingawashclothintoherhand,shepresseditbetweenherlegsforalongmoment,thenputitinthe
hamper.Duncanhadreleasedatleastthreetimesintoher.Unbelievable.
Sheheardtheshowerrunning.
I’msorry,hesent.
It’sokay,Duncan.ItisandI’mstillhere.
What?Hisvoicewithinhermindsoundedincredulous.Why?
Yep,she’dhadherownpatternandrolethroughthefierybattlesoftheirformerlovelife.
Withoutwarning,afamiliarrumblingsoundedandthistime,sheknewshehadtoactfast.Shefolded
firsttotheshowerthensurroundedDuncanwithhershield.
“Wreckers,”shewhispered.
Hegrewverystill.
Amomentlater,wreckersbrokethroughtothebedroomandaseriesofexplosions,oneaftertheother,
nodoubtblewherbedapartandmaybeeventookoutthewallaswell.
Timetogetthehellout.Takeustotheforest,shesent.
AwreckerappearedinthedoorwayofthebathroomjustasDuncanfoldedherafewfeetintotheedge
oftheforest.Shethenfoldedthequiltfromtheguestroomstraightintoherarms.Duncantookitfromher
andwrappedthembothup.
“Theguns,”hewhispered.“Wheredidyouleavethem?”
Sheheldoutbothhandsandtheyappearedinherarmsalongwiththeammo.Hetookthemfromher
andsettledeverythingontheground,oncemoreembracingherandholdingherclose.
Thewreckersneverstoppedfiring.Shewatchedherhouseslowlybeingdemolished,asexplosions
tookoutwallafterwall.
Analarmsoundedovertheentirecolony.
“We’llneverbesafe,”shemurmured.
“Actually,Ithinkthere’ssomethingIcando.”Hetoldheraboutthemind-linkandhislearnedability
tocontrolit.“IbelieveYolanthehasbeenusingittolocatemethroughthedarkeninggrid.Ithoughtmaybe
Iwouldbeabletomanipulatethesituationbykeepingthelinkintactinordertogetmoreinformation
aboutChustaffus.ButIseenowthatshe’susedtheconnectiontofindus,ormoreparticularlyyouwiththe
intentionoftakingyouout.I’mgoingtodestroythelinkrightnow.”
Rachelwatchedhimclosehiseyes.Shewasn’tsureexactlywhathewasdoing,orhowheintendedto
disruptalinkonlythecreator,accordingtoEndelle,couldbreak.
Butshealsoexperiencedtheexactmomenthesucceededbecausehiswholebodytensedthenhe
droppedtohisknees,takingherwithhim.
“Pain,”hemurmured.
“Icantell.”
“It…willbe…allright.It’sover.”
Astheroofofherhousebegantocavein,theexplosionsfinallystopped.
Duncaneventuallyrosetohisfeetandshejoinedhim.“Whathappensnow?”
“Wegoafterthebitch.”
“How?ThewomanlivesonThirdEarth.”
“Butshe’sthekeytosavingSecondEarth.Fromthispointforward,wegoontheoffensive.”He
turnedtowardher,“Thequestionis,willyoubejoiningus?”
Shesearchedhiseyes.“Doyouwantmeto,Duncan?BecauseIcanpromiseyou,ifIjoinup,we’llbe
gettingcloserwhetheryoulikeitornot,andatsomepointyou’regoingtohavetostarttalking,likeyou
didjustafewminutesago.”
Helookedconfused.“Whatdoyoumeanafewminutesago?”
Forthefirsttimesinceshe’dknownDuncan,Rachelsawahintofdaylight.“YoutoldmeCarlyonhad
saidyourmotherneverwantedtoseeyouagain.”
Henarrowedhisgaze,frowningslightly.“Idid,didn’tI?ButIswear,untilIspokethewordsoutloud,
I’dneverpreviouslyrecalledhimsayingthat.Iwasveryyoungwhenmymotherleft.”
“I’msureyoupurposelyforgotalotofwhathappened.”
“Imusthave.Carlyonwasabrute.”
Rachelstaredatthemanshe’dcometoknowsowellovertheyears.Shedidn’texactlyunderstand
whythiswasthemomenttomakeherdecision,butitwas.“I’mjoiningtheteam,Duncan.”
“What?”Helookedshockedalloveragain.
“I’mjoiningtheteam.Maybeit’snotmyfirstchoicebecauseIdoknowwhatkindoflifeIwantto
live.Butapparently,I’mnotmeanttohavewhatIdesirejustyet,maybenotuntilthewarisover.”When
theleaderofthecolony,Diallo,andhiswife,Mei-Amadiappearedinthebackyardcallingforher,she
added,“AndIdefinitelycan’tcontinuejeopardizingmyneighborslikethis.”
“No,Iguessnot.But,Rachel,I’mreallysorryaboutyourhouse.Hell,I’msorryabouteverything.”
“Me,too.”Sheforcedherselfnottothinktoomuchabouttheloss,atleastnotrightnow.She’dbreak
down,otherwise.Sheneededtostayfocusedontherealitythatshewasbeinghuntedbyamadwoman.
WhenMei-Amadikeptcallingforher,RachelaskedDuncan,“Hey,canyoufoldussomeclothesfrom
yourParadiseValleyhome?MinejustgotblownupandallIwouldneedfromyouisoneofyourt-shirts
sinceitwillhangtomyknees.”
“Yougotit.”
BarelyaminutelateranddressedinoneofDuncan’sblackt-shirts,Rachelreleasedhershieldand
calledtoMei-Amadi.Shehadalotofexplainingtodotothewomanwho’dneverquiteacceptedher
presenceinthecolony.Butshe’dalsobeleavingMortalEarthforalongtime,maybeevenforever.
~~~
Inastateofshock,Yolanthestoodnearherpearl-coloredchaiselounge,inthecream-and-rustmarble
ofherlivingroom.
Theimpossiblehadjusthappened:Duncanhadbrokenhermind-link,somethingheshouldn’thave
beenabletodo.AndthatactaloneconfirmedherbeliefDuncanhadalwaysbeenthekeytofinding
Rapture’sEdge.Hehadsomuchpower,morethanheknew.
Thegamewasn’tover,however.Shewasawomanofgreatabilityandpowerandthemind-linkhad
beenjustthefirstexpressionofherwillinthissituation.ShewouldgetDuncanbackorifshecouldn’t,
thentheSecondEarthbastardwoulddieforhavingusedhersobadly.
Afterall,she’dofferedherselftoDuncan.Allshepossessedwouldhavebelongedtohim,including
herbodyandmaybeevenherheart.Buthe’drejectedher.
ThefourthsonofChustaffus,Yolanthe’syoungerbrotherandthesontheirfatherhadthoughtlong
dead,pacedslowlyinhisawkwardgate.Hemovedbackandforth,hisdeformedwingsinneedofyet
anotherreduction,hisdistressclear.“Whatdoyouplantodo,Sister?”
Hisvoicehadachildishsound,eventhoughhewasnearlynine-hundred-yearsold,tenyearsyounger
thanherself.HewasthelastchildhermothergavebirthtobeforeChustaffushadherkilled.
Yolanthehadstolenthebabywiththemangledwingsandbribedtheslavetosayhewasdead.
Yolanthestillpaidfortheslave’ssilence.Shewouldhavekilledthewomanoutright,butthenChustaffus
mighthavesuspectedYolanthe’streasonousact.
Herfatherhatedanythingdeformed.
Zanderwasn’tjustabrothertoYolanthe.Becauseshe’drearedhim,eventhoughshe’dbeenachild
herself,shefeltasthoughZanderwasherson.Andshewoulddoanythingforhim.
WhensheandZanderfinallyhadthelocationofRapture’sEdgetheywouldgotogetherandtell
Chustaffusoftheirsharedventureandsuccess.ThenChustaffuswouldembracehismalformedson,and
finallyappreciatethembothashavingvalueinhislife.
“WhatdoIplantodo?Iwasgoingtoaskyouthesamething.Haveyouhadavisionyetabouttheir
nextmove?”Zanderhadapowerfulconnectiontothefuture.HewastheonewhohadseenDuncanina
vision,notYolanthe.
“Averybriefone,involvingtheteamWarriorLukenhasbuilt.”
“IsupposeMerlwillbepartofthesquad.”
“He’salwaysbeenfaithfultoyou,Sister.”
“Asfaithfulasaviper.”
“Andnow,”Zandersaid,smiling,“WillyoutellmeatlastwhetheryouintendtokillMerl’ssisteror
not?”
Yolanthewavedahand.“Hewillalwaysrequireproof-of-lifetokeepgoingsofornow,thewoman
staysalive.”
“Isupposeshemust.”
“Justkeepencouragingyourvisions,becauseIsuspectDuncaniscomingforme.”
“Andthatwasalwaysthechanceyoutookinpursuinghim.”
“Iknow,andyoudidwarnme.Buthe’sstillworththerisk.”
“Yes,butnowheknowswhereyoulive.”
Yolanthelaughed.“ButIwouldlovetoseehimtrytogetanywherenearMexicoCityThreeandhe
justaSecondascender.”
“Butnotforlong.”
“Verytrue.Notforlong.”
~~~
LukenstoodintheMilitiaWarriorworkoutcenter,hisswordupright,kneesbent,shouldershunched.
Duncandidthesame.
TimetostarttrainingthewarriorwhohadvisionsandawomanwithatleastoneFourthEarthpower.
Thefirstattackhadbothswordsclanging,ashrillsoundinthetall,threestoryroomwithechoing
acoustics.Inordertotrainhimright,Lukenhadsecurityremovetheno-foldpolicyjustforthework-out
center.PartofbattlingasaWarrioroftheBloodincludedcalculatedfoldsthroughinstantmomentsof
nether-spaceinordertocomeupbehindtheenemyunawares.
Duncanhadmadewarforalongtime,andhecaughtonfast.Morethanonce,he’dtakenLukenby
surprise,foldingbehindhimwithoutLukenknowingandthatwasadamnhardthingtodo.
Duncanworkedoutaswell,likeLukendid,pushinghismusclemasstotougherproportions.They
werealikeinthatway,maybeeachawarethefutureheldnothingbutthemostdangeroussituation
possible:battlingonThirdEarth.
“So,you’resureYolanthelivesinapalaceinMexicoCityThree?”
Duncanbreathedhard,recoveringfromthelatesttenminutebattlingsprint.Sweatdrippeddownhis
face,andhefoldedatowelintohishandandmoppedup.“Shedoesn’tliveinthecity.Sheisthecity.She
designed,builtandownsMexicoCityThree.ShehashundredsofMilitiaWarriorsinheremployand
thousandsofslaves.Alldoherbidding.”
“Doyouhaveanyinfluencewithher?”
“Notanymore.TheonlywaytosaveRachelwastoobliteratethemind-link.”
“Okay,then.”Lukennodded.“Readyforroundeight?”
Duncanmethisgazeandsmiled.“Bringit,Warrior.”
~~~
Endellehatedherselffordoingthis,butifshedidn’t,she’dfuckMerl,whichwouldbeahundred
timesworse.
ShelayonabedinherverysecrethomeinIndiaTwo,aplaceofheatandwaterandtigers.Thelatter
roamedhersecurehome.
Amanwithblackhairanddarkskinandthetongueofagenius,workedherlow.Shewantedhiscock,
butshedrewthelinethere,resignedtojusthavingherpussysuckedandlickeduntilshescreamed.
Heusedimplementsaswellinplaceofhiscock,enhancingherpleasureandgivingheracertain
degreeofsatisfaction.
Thewholetimesheweptasmuchfromreliefasfromthehorriblefeelingshewasbeingunfaithfulto
Braulio.
Yet,ifshedidn’tgetthisreleaseatleastonce-a-week,sheknewshe’dflyintoanuncontrolledrage
andstartburningherdimensiondown.TheCouncilofSixthEarthhadkeptherservingwaytoolong,
somethingthatwouldn’tchangeanytimeinthenearfuture.Sheandherwarriorshadanewbadguyto
beat.
Thetigerspacedattheperimeterofalushcourtyardgarden,growlingatthemonkeysthatplayedin
thetreesandalongtheupperbalconies.Occasionally,thesmallprimateswouldenragethecatsby
throwingtheirfecesatthem.
Whenshe’dcomeforthetenthtimeandfinallyfeltherveinsmeltingalittle,shelettheprostitutego,
payinghimwell.Shethenburrowedintohismind,replacinganymemoryofherwithavagueimageofa
wealthywomanheservicedregularly.Anonymityworkedextremelywellforherinthissituation.
SheremainedinIndiaTwoforanhour,drinkingwineandrecovering.She’dshoweraswell,not
wantingtogiveanyofherstaffreasontogossipbecauseshehadapost-orgasmicglitterinhereye.
GossipinherAdministrativeHQwasasecondlanguageforherpeopleandthewarriorscouldspota
goodlayatahundredpaces.
So,shewaitedanddrank,erasingthephysicalevidenceofhersin.Composedatlast,shefoldedback
toherprivatesuiteofroomsinherpalacetotakeanotherbathandtoaskJeannieforanupdate.
“Yousoundmorerelaxed,MadameEndelle.”
“I’mhalfinthebag,isall.”Thatmuchwastrue.“AnythingIshouldknow?”
“Onlyonecriticaldetail:Rachelhasjoinedtheblackopsteam.”
Endellesatupsofastshecausedawaveofwatertoflowoutofthetubandontothefloor.“What’s
didyousay?How?When?Why?”
“WreckersdestroyedherhomeintheSeattleOneColony.Butdon’tworry,bothDuncanandRachel
arefine.They’reathislakesidehomeandDuncanwantedmetotellyouhebrokethemind-link,soitwill
bealongtimebeforeYolanthecantraceeitherofthem.”
“AndLuken?”
“He’straininghisteamatMilitiaHQ.”
“Good.That’sgood.Justkeepmeinformed.”
“Always.Andyoureallydosoundbetter.”
Endellerolledhereyes.“Jeannie,gofuckyourself.”
~~~
StaytunedforepisodetwoofRAPTURE’SEDGEasDuncanandRachel,andtherestoftheteam,
continuetheirjourneytoThirdEarth.
ASCENSIONTERMINOLOGY
AAFpr.n.AlliedAscenderForces,Endelle’sarmy.
ALApr.n.AscendersLiberationArmy,thenameGreavesassignedtohisarmy.
ascendern.AmortalhumanofEarthwhohasmovedpermanentlytotheseconddimension.
ascensionn.Theactofmovingpermanentlyfromonedimensiontoahigherdimension.
ascendiaten.Amortalhumanwhohasansweredthecalltoascensionandtherebycommenceshisorher
riteofascension.
callofascensionn.Aperiodoftime,usuallyinvolvingseveralweeks,inwhichthemortalhumanhas
experiencedsomeorallof,butnotlimitedto,thefollowing:specificdreamsaboutthenextdimension,
deepyearningsandlongingsofasoulfulandinexplicablenature,visionsofandpossiblyvisitstoanyof
thedimensionalBorderlands,etc.SeeBorderlands.
ascensionceremonyn.Uponthecompletionoftheriteofascension,themortalundergoesaceremonyin
whichloyaltytothelawsofSecondSocietyareprofessedandtheattributesofthevampiremantelalong
withimmortalityarebestowed.
answeringthecalltoascensionn.Themortalhumanwhoexperiencesthehallmarksofthecallto
ascension,willatsomepointfeelcompelledtoanswerthecalltoascensionusuallybydemonstrating
significantpreternaturalpower.
callofascensionn.Aperiodoftime,usuallyinvolvingseveralweeks,inwhichthemortalhumanhas
experiencedsomeorallof,butnotlimitedto,thefollowing:specificdreamsaboutthenextdimension,
deepyearningsandlongingsofasoulfulandinexplicablenature,visionsofandpossiblyvisitstoanyof
thedimensionalBorderlands,etc.SeeBorderlands.
riteofascensionn.Athree-dayperiodduringwhichtimeanascendiatecontemplatesascendingtothe
nexthighestdimension.
theBorderlandspr.n.Thosegeographicareasthatformdimensionalbordersatbothendsofa
dimensionalpathway.Thedimensionalpathwayisanaccesspointthroughwhichtravelcantakeplace
fromonedimensiontothenext.SeeTrough.
breh-heddenn.(Termfromanancientlanguage.)Amate-bondingritualthatcanonlybeexperiencedby
themostpowerfulwarriorsandthemostpowerfulpreternaturallygiftedwomen.Effectsofthebreh-
heddencanincludebutarenotlimitedto:specificscentexperience,extremephysical/sexualattraction,
lossofrationalthought,primalsexualdrives,inexplicableneedtobond,powerfulneedtoexperience
deepmind-engagement,etc.
cadroenn.(Termfromanancientlanguage.)Thenameforthehairclaspthatholdsbacktherituallong
hairofaWarrioroftheBlood.
catchskinvb.Whenabladedrawsblood.
Centralpr.n.Theofficeofthecurrentadministrationthattracksmovementofdeathvampiresinboththe
seconddimensionandonMortalEarthforthepurposeofalertingtheWarriorsoftheBloodandthe
MilitiaWarriorstoillegalactivities.
CommandCenterpr.n.HeadquartersfortheAlliedAscenderForces,currentlyatEndelle’sPalace,
Thorne’sbaseofoperations.
thedarkeningn.Anareaofnether-spacethatcanbefoundduringmeditationsand/orwithstrong
preternaturaldarkeningcapabilities.Suchabilitiesenabletheascendertomoveintonether-spaceand
remainthereortousenether-spaceinordertobetwoplacesatonce.
thedarkeninggridn.Agridbuiltcenturiesago,bypowerfulThirdEarthentitiesthatspansSecondand
ThirdEarthforthepurposeoftravel,transport,andaccesstoSecondEarth.Thecrossingofthe
dimensionalboundarythatallowsaccesstoaLowerDimension,makesthegridhighlyillegalinthe
multiple-dimensionarena.
darkeninggridmonitorn.AThirdEarthspecialistwhotracksmovementontheinter-dimensional
darkeninggrid.
deathvampiren.Anyvampire,maleorfemale,whopartakesofdyingbloodautomaticallybecomesa
deathvampire.Deathvampirescanhave,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowingcharacteristics:remarkably
increasedphysicalstrength,anincreasinglyporcelaincomplexiontrueofallethnicitiessothatdeath
vampireshavealong-termreputationoflookingverysimilar,afaintbluingoftheporcelaincomplexion,
increasingbeautyofface,theabilitytoenthrall,theblackeningofwingsoveraperiodoftime.Though
deathvampiresarenotgender-specific,mostaremale.Seevampire.
dimensionalworldsn.Eleventhousandyearsago,thefirstascender,Luchianne,madethedifficult
transitionfromMortalEarthtowhatbecameknownasSecondEarth.Intheearlymillenniafourmore
dimensionswerediscovered,Luchiannealwaysleadingtheway.Eachdimension’sascendersexhibited
expandingpreternaturalpowerbeforeascension.Upperdimensionsaregenerallyclosedofftothe
dimensionordimensionsbelow.Seeoff-dimension
duhuron.(Termfromanancientlanguage.)Awordofrespectwhichintheoldlanguagecombinesthe
spiritualofficesofbothservantandmaster.Tocallsomeoneduhuroistoofferaprofoundcompliment
suggestinggreatworth.
dyingbloodn.Bloodextractedfromamortaloranascenderatthepointofdeath.Thisbloodishighly
addictiveinnature.Thereisnoknowntreatmentforanyonewhopartakesofdyingblood.Theresultsof
ingestingdyingbloodinclude,butarenotlimitedto:increasedphysical,mental,orpreternaturalpower,a
senseofextremeeuphoria,adeepsenseofwell-being,asenseofomnipotenceandfearlessness,the
takinginofthepreternaturalpowersofthehostbody,etc.Ifdyingbloodisnottakenonaregularbasis,
extremeabdominalcrampsresultwithoutceasing.Note:currentlythereisanantidotenotfortheaddiction
ofdyingblooditselfbutforthevariousresultsofingestingdyingblood.Thismeansthatadeathvampire
whodrinksdyingbloodthenpartakesoftheantidotewillnotshowtheusualphysicalsideeffectsof
ingestingdyingblood;nowhiteningorfaintbluingoftheskin,nobeautifyingoffeatures,noblackeningof
thewings,etc.
effetnen.(Termfromanancientlanguage.)Anexpression,anintenseformofsupplicationtothegods,an
abasementofself,andofself-will.
foldingv.Slangfordematerialization,sincesomebelievethatonedoesnotactuallydematerializeselfor
objectsbutratherone‘foldsspace’tomoveselforobjectsfromoneplacetoanother.Thereismuch
scientificdebateonthissubjectsinceatpresentneithertheorycanbeproved.
graylen.(Termfromanancientlanguage.)ThenameforamistypowerthatonlyThirdAscenders
possess.Thispowerhastwofacets:apotentstreamcapableoftakinglifeandabattlingformthat
increasesfoldingspeed,levitationcapacity,andphysicalpower.Grayleismostoftenfoundamong
warriors.
gridn.ThetechnologyusedbyCentralthatallowsforthetrackingofdeathvampiresprimarilyatthe
BorderlandsonbothMortalEarthandSecondEarth.Deathvampiresbynaturecarryastrong,traceable
signal,unlikenormalvampires.SeeCentral.
GuardianofAscensionpr.n.AprestigioustitleandrankatpresentgivenonlytothoseWarriorsofthe
Bloodwhoalsoservetoguardpowerfulascendiatesduringtheirriteofascension.Inmillenniapast
GuardiansofAscensionwerealsothosepowerfulascenderswhoofferedthemselvesinuniqueand
powerfulservicetoSecondSociety.
HighAdministratorpr.n.ThedesignationgiventoaleaderofaSecondEarthTerritory.
identifiedswordn.AswordmadebySecondEarthmetallurgythathasthepreternaturalcapacityto
becomeidentifiedtoasingleascender.Theidentificationprocessinvolvesholdingtheswordbythegrip
forseveralcontinuousseconds.Theidentificationofaswordtoasingleascendermeansthatonlythat
personcantouchorholdthesword.Ifanyoneelsetriestotakepossessionofthesword,otherthanthe
owner,thatpersonwilldie.
MilitiaWarriorpr.n.OneofhundredsofthousandsofwarriorswhoserveSecondEarthsocietyasa
policingforcefortheusualciviccrimesandasabattlingforce,insquadsonly,tofightagainstthe
continualdepredationsofdeathvampiresonbothMortalEarthandSecondEarth.
millennialadjustmentn.Thephenomenonoftimetakingonamorefluidaspectwiththepassingof
centuries.
mind-engagementn.Theabilitytopenetrateanothermindandexperiencethethoughtsandmemoriesof
theotherperson.Theabilitytoreceiveanothermindandallowthatpersontoexperienceone’sthoughts
andmemories.Theseabilitiesmustbepresentinordertocompletethebreh-hedden.
mistn.Apreternaturalcreationdesignedtoconfusethemindandtherebyhidethingsorpeople.Most
mortalsandascendersareunabletoseemist.Thepowerfulascender,howeveriscapableofseeingmist,
whichusuallyappearslikeanintricatemesh,oracloud,oraweb-likecovering.
MortalEarthpr.nThenameforFirstEarthorthecurrentmodernworldknownsimplyasearth.
nether-spacen.Theunknowableregionsofspace.Thespacebetweendimensionsisconsiderednether-
spaceaswellasthespacefoundinthedarkening.
off-dimensionn.Anexpressionreferringtoanascendernotbeingonhisorherprimeresidentplant,e.g.,
anascenderfromSecondEarthwhogoesrogueandlivesonMortalEarthwouldbeconsideredoff-
dimension.
pretty-boyn.Slangfordeathvampire,sincemostdeathvampiresaremale.
preternaturalvoyeurismn.Theabilityto‘openawindow’withthepowerofthemindinordertosee
peopleandeventshappeningelsewhereinrealtime.Twoofthelimitsofpreternaturalvoyeurismare:the
voyeurmustusuallyknowthepersonorplaceandifthevoyeurisengagedindarkeningwork,itisvery
difficulttomakeuseofpreternaturalvoyeurismatthesametime.
roylen.(Termfromanancientlanguage.)Theliteraltranslationis:abenevolentwind.Moreloosely
translated,roylereferstothespecificqualityofhavingthecapacitytocreateastateofbenevolence,of
good-will,withinanentirepeopleorculture.Seeroyleadj.
royleadj.(Termfromanancientlanguage.)Thistermisgenerallyusedtodescribeaspecificcoloration
ofwings:creamwiththreenarrowbandsattheoutertipsofthewingswheninfull-span.Thebandsare
alwaysburnishedgold,amethyst,andblack.BecauseLuchianne,thefirstascenderandfirstvampire,had
thiscolorationonherwings,anyone,therefore,whosewingsmatchedLuchianne’swassaidtohaveroyle
wings.Havingroylewingswasconsideredatremendousgift,holdinggreatpromisefortheworld.
Seerpr.n.Anascendergiftedwiththepreternaturalabilitytoridethefuturestreamsandreportonfuture
events.
SeersFortresspr.n.Seershavetraditionallybeengatheredintocompoundsdesignedtoprovideahighly
peacefulenvironment,therebyenhancingtheSeer’sabilitytoridethefuturestreams.Theinformation
gatheredataSeersFortressbenefitsthelocalHighAdministrator.Somebelievethatthetermfortress
emergedasaprotesttotheprison-likeconditionstheSeersoftenhavetoendure.
spectaclen.Thenamegiventoeventsofgiganticproportionthatincludebutarenotlimitedto:trained
squadronsofDNAalteredgeese,swansandducks,ascenderswiththespecializedanddangerousskillsof
flightperformance,intricateandoftenmassivelightandfireworksdisplays,aswellasvariousformsof
music.
SupremeHighAdministratorpr.n.TherulerofSecondEarth.SeeHighAdministrator.
Territorypr.n.Forthepurposeofgovernance,SecondEarthisdividedupintogroupsofcountries
calledTerritories.BecausethetotalpopulationofSecondEarthisonlyonepercentofMortalEarth,
TerritorieswereestablishedasasimplermeansofadministeringSecondSocietylaw.SeeHigh
Administrator.
Troughpr.n.Aslangtermforadimensionalpathway.SeeBorderlands.
Twolingpr.n.AnyonebornonSecondEarthisaTwoling.
vampiren.Thenaturalstateoftheascendedhuman.Everyascenderisavampire.Thequalitiesofbeing
avampireincludebutarenotlimitedto:immortality,theuseoffangstotakeblood,theuseoffangsto
releasepotentchemicals,increasedphysicalpower,increasedpreternaturalability,etc.Luchianne
createdthewordvampireuponherascensiontoSecondEarthtoidentifyinonewordthetotalityofthe
changessheexperienceduponthatascension.Fromthefirst,thetakingofbloodwasviewedasanactof
reverenceandbonding,notasameansofdeath.TheMortalEarthmythssurroundingthewordvampire
forthemostpartpersonifytheSecondEarthdeathvampire.Seedeathvampire.
WarriorsoftheBloodpr.n.Anelitefightingunitofusuallysevenpowerfulwarriors,eachwith
phenomenalpreternaturalabilityandcapableofbattlingseveraldeathvampiresatanyonetime.
What-Beepr.n.SlangforWarrioroftheBlood,asinWOTB.
wingsn.Allascenderseventuallyproducewingsfromwing-locks.Wing-lockisthetermusedto
describetheaperturesontheascender’sbackfromwhichthefeathersandattendingmesh-like
superstructureemerge.Mountingwingsinvolvesahormonalrushthatsomelikentosexualrelease.Flight
isoneofthefinestexperiencesofascendedlife.Wingscanbeheldinavarietyofpositionsincludingbut
notlimitedto:full-mount,closemount,aggressivemount,etc.Wingsemergeoveraperiodoftimefrom
oneyeartoseveralhundredyears.Wingscan,butdonotalways,beginsmallinonedecadethengrow
largerinlaterdecades.
wreckern.AwarriorwhoservestopatroltheThirdEarthdarkeninggridanddestroyspecifictargets.
Wreckersuseidentified,short-barrelshot-guns,withexplosivecartridges,tobustthroughthedarkening
gridwalls.Breakingupthegridwallsshortensanydistancethroughthegrid.Gridmonitorsdirecttheir
paths.
ypronai-y-staen.(Termfromanancientlanguage.)Theloosetranslationis,youmaystayforan
eternity.
ThankyouforreadingRAPTURE’SEDGE1“AWAKENING”!Inournewdigitalage,authorsrelyon
readersmorethanevertosharetheword.Herearesomethingsyoucandotohelp!
Signupformynewsletter!You’llalwayshavethelatestreleases,hottestpics,andcoolest
http://www.carisroane.com/contact-2/
Leaveareview!You’veprobablyheardthisalotlatelyandwonderedwhatthefussisabout.But
reviewshelpyourfavoriteauthors--ALOT--tobecomevisibletothedigitalreader.So,anytimeyou
feelmovedbyastory,leaveashortreviewatyourfavoriteonlineretailer.Andyoudon’thavetobea
bloggertodothis,justareaderwholovesbooks!
Entermylatestcontest!Iruncontestsallthetimesobesuretocheckoutmycontestpagetoday!
ENTERNOW!
http://www.carisroane.com/contests/
ComingSoon:Episode#2ofRAPTURE’SEDGE,thecontinuingsagaoftheGuardiansof
Ascension,againfeaturingDuncanandRachel.Andwe’regoingtoThirdEarth!Checkout
RAPTURE’SEDGEonmywebsite.
http://www.carisroane.com/raptures-edge/
AlsoComingSoon:Book#7oftheBloodRoseSeries,MastyrZane’sstory:EMBRACETHE
WIND!!!
http://www.carisroane.com/the-blood-rose-series/
Also,besuretocheckouttheBloodRoseTales–TRAPPED,HUNGER,andSEDUCED--shorter
workssetintheworldoftheBloodRose,foraquick,satisfyingread.
BLOODROSETALESBOXSET
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
CarisRoaneistheNewYorkTimesBestsellingauthorofover70books.Currentlyshewrites
paranormalromance.ShebeganhercareerwritingRegencyromanceforKensingtonpublishingandwas
awardedtheprestigiousRomanticTimesCareerAchievementAwardinRegencyRomancein2005.Caris
currentlylivesinPhoenix,Arizonawithhertwocats,SebastienandGizzy,andshereallydoesn’tlike
scorpionsatall!
LISTOFBOOKS
Toreadmoreabouteachone,checkoutmybookspage:
http://www.carisroane.com/books/
TheBloodRoseSeries:
,featuringBook#1EMBRACETHEDARKandBook#2
EMBRACETHEMAGIC:
(ComingSoon:EMBRACETHEWIND)
TOPURCHASETHEBLOODROSETALESSEPARATELY:
GuardiansofAscension
ASCENSION
BURNINGSKIES
WINGSOFFIRE
BORNOFASHES
OBSIDIANFLAME
GATESOFRAPTURE
DawnofAscension
BRINKOFETERNITY
Rapture’sEdge–ContinuingtheGuardiansofAscension
1Awakening
(ComingSoon:Book#2)
AmuletSeries
(BoxedSet):
DARKNIGHT
WICKEDNIGHT
MeninChainsSeries(Complete)
BORNINCHAINS
SAVAGECHAINS
CHAINSOFDARKNESS
UNCHAINED
Youcanfindmeat:
Blog:
http://www.carisroane.com/journal/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caris-Roane/160868114986060
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/carisroane
http://www.carisroane.com/contact-2/
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/carisroane/
Authorof:
–WarriorsoftheBloodcravethebreh-hedden
–MilitiaWarriorsbattletosaveSecondEarth
(PartofGuardiansofAscension)–SecondearthwarriorstraveltoThird
tosavethreedimensionsfromatyrant’sheinousambitions
–Onlyabloodrosecanfulfillamastyrvampire’sdeepestneeds
–Shorttalesofmastyrvampireswhohungertobesatisfied