Awakening

RAPTURE’SEDGE1:TheAwakening

ByCarisRoane

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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.

http://www.carisroane.com/raptures-edge/

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

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

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

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.

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.

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