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"At last, ascendiate Wells So, let , feminine voice behind her She whirled around and there, not ten feet away, stood Endelle, in full-nized her fros had been a different color--first yellow, then black when she’d becory with Kerrick She was a tall and extre features, a beauty queen from the Middle East She wore dark brown suede, lots of it, sculpted to her body, and a cape of what looked like ave an impression of ancient and htmare
So here she was, She Who Would Live, the ruler of all of Second Earth, Her Supremeness, Madame Endelle
In the flesh, the woman responded, inside Alison’s head, just like that
Alison reached out with her e Endelle narrowed her eyes, "Not on your life, ascendiate"
Alison retreated "My apologies An old habit"
Endelle nodded "Understood" Turning to Kerrick, she said, "Make the introductions, Warrior I’d like to for my life a shitfest"
At these words Kerrick took a protective step closer to Alison, the only sign he was even aware of her "Madah Administrator, may I present ascendiate Alison Wells, previously of Carefree, Arizona, Mortal Earth Ascendiate Wells, Madah Adaze More than anything she knew she was looking at her future in all its myriad forms Kerrick had told her that only Endelle had ascended with the same levels of powers Alison now possessed She also understood that Her Supremeness, as the warriors called her, should have advanced to an Upper Di on Second Earth only to serve as a necessary force against the Coood idea, she sent Black leather suits you It’s probably a good thing your ht now, otherwise he’d be all over you
Without really thinking, Alison sent back, I think you ht have some boundary issues
"Boundary issues?" Endelle cried aloud, taking a step forward, the tips of every feather shi "You intend to start up your psycho-crap with me, ascendiate Wells?"
Alison shook her head "Not at all I’ you I don’t intend to discuss s reached all the way to the tall ceiling, while her wingspan took up at least a coer than even Kerrick’s The present configuration s extended as far as they could go, my God, the span would reach over forty feet froement," Endelle said "You have only one round So do it, ascendiate Know that I’ horse," Alison cried "I hate to be the one to break it to you, but the last time I checked, I was a therapist, not a warrior I have difficulty swatting flies"
"Listen, missy, where the hell do you think you are? A vacation in St Croix? This is Second fucking Earth and you’re battling to stay alive Get with the progra the bastard out I’ve seen your training and whatever you may think, you can do this Furthermore, I expect you to" She turned to Kerrick "You need to talk to your wos Now"
She lifted her arm in a theatrical sweep then vanished
Kerrick breathed hard He had been working to keep his temper in check, but this last completely insensitive display by the ruler of his world put hioddamn pep talk," Kerrick cried "Daives bitch a bad na Hard His hands bunched into fists and stayed there He ground his teeth He couldn’t bear as happening to Alison, that she was being forced to battle Leto in front of tens of thousands of spectators He felt unglued, co
He hated this farce, this arena contest, which had only one end as its purpose … Alison’s death!
"Kerrick, how a to do this?"
Her words, the desperation in her voice, the deep fear in her beautiful blue eyes, all did hi her into his arainst him as she wrapped her arms around his waist
Kerrick Kerrick, she ithin hisher back He wanted to tell her everything would be all right, he really did His fears, however, kept him silent
After a minute, she drew back then looked up at him, her eyes wet Lavender streamed over him until his senses reeled, his heart ached, and his knees turned to water
She released his waist and drew in a ragged breath She wiped at her face with treht now In front of hio into battle He had to think of her in that way, not as the most precious part of his life
He folded a tissue into his hand from Queen Creek He dabbed at her cheeks
"Endelle believes you can beat him," he said "Let that be your confidence"
"She really thinks I can beat Leto?" Hope fluttered in her eyes
"Yes She said so last night She told us ere a bunch of faithless vampires because you possess e in her belief in you and let the iave you take over Just remember, Leto is powerful so don’t try any special tricks unless you’re certain to prevail Tellto you Leto … Leto is a cunning vaht beside hi"
She nodded in a brisk flurry "Yes Yes Be prepared for anything"
"Also, remember he has weaknesses, like any warrior Find his and you’ll beat him, and don’t doubt for a second he’ll try to wear you down"
She nodded all over again