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Another flash in the sunlight As Osvald’s hand arced down to drive the knife into Wilhelh the wristbones as easily as if they were soft butter, then turned the blade of his stick in order to catch the severed hand and the knife it still held and flip it away fro the hand that grasped Wilhelmina’s ankle

A moment later, Surreal reached Wilhelmina--and Lucivar and most of the First Circle males poured into the courtyard So did Karla and Gabrielle

So did Alexandra and her entourage

It didn’t turn out quite like you’d planned, did it?Surreal thought as she watched Alexandra scan the courtyard and turn sickly pale Vanishing her knife, she placed one hand on Wilhel as soon as he wobbled up to her, and created a Gray shield around the three of them It probably wasn’t necessary, but there was no reason to take chances She looked at Falonar, who had positioned himself so that, the next time, the bladed stick would come down on the bastard’s neck She put a shield around him, too She felt his surprise and pleasure when her shield settled around him--and wondered why he was afraid

Gabrielle rushed over to help the foot Osvald, used healing Craft to seal the severed blood vessels

"What’s going on here?" Alexandra dehtened than angry "Why are you attacking one of my escorts?"

"Did you send him?" Lucivar asked, an odd note in his voice

"I sent hiift to Wilhelmina," Alexandra said

There was soh "And the bastard delivered it, didn’t he?"

"When I went to deliver the gift, Lady Wilhel well," Osvald whiet some fresh air Then thatcreature attacked us"

Lucivar looked at Osvald, then at Falonar "If that bastard says anything else, cut his tongue out"

Falonar looked shocked, but nodded

"How dare you?" Alexandra said "You’re so quick tomy court, yet you allow this--"

"Shut up,"Lucivar snapped "Things are bad enough right now Don’t ave Lucivar a sharp look What was going on here?

Shivering, Graysfang e is bad, Surreal Males fear Queen’s rage Even Kaelas

Following the wolf’s gaze, Surreal saw the huge white cat standing on the roof next to a tiger That was Kaelas?Mother Night!

Who’s the tiger? she asked

That is Jaal He is Dejaal’s sire

Surreal sed hard The tiger arfed by Kaelas, but he was still twice as large as the young tiger lying in the courtyard Dejaal is dead, isn’t he?

He has returned to the Darkness, Graysfang said sadly

Hoere they going to explain this to Jaenelle?

As if the thought had conjured the woman, Jaenelle walked into the courtyard, flanked by Daeht have taken soh Lord’s face hadn’t turned gray at the sight of Dejaal’s body

Alexandra started to speak, but before she could make a sound, her hands flew up to her throat and her eyes became wide and terrified

Surreal wasn’t sure which one of the males had acted, but she would have bet it was Dae Alexandra into silence

Everyone moved out of the way as Jaenelle walked over and knelt beside Dejaal The hand that caressed the fur was gentle and loving, but the eyes that finally looked up and focused on Wilhelmina

What Surreal saw in those sapphire eyes went so far beyond cold rage there were no words for it

Yes, there were, she realized as Graysfang whimpered softlyThis hat the wolf had ht, andshe could think of, the only thing that, she hoped, would release her from those eyes "She’s alive"

Jaenelle looked at Karla, who bowed for over to exa," Karla whispered to Surreal as she examined Wilhelmina Then she swore and added, "Whatever else you do, follow Protocol to the letter" Taking a deep breath, she stood up and faced Jaenelle "Wilhelle--and she’s been heavily drugged"

"Can you counteract it?" Jaenelle asked too calmly