Page 179 (1/2)

The Consort shrieked, throwing up ar brightness Like molten stone, it burned his skin

The Explorer let the curtain drop, and the Consort ie The pupils of the huht than the Consort could bear for long He would be drained of power even before the day star rose to burn hi to say?" the Explorer asked, still clutching the cloth

It was a ploy The Unifiers had kept hi to kill him now But the Consort’s eyes still burned, and the auras around him were unreadable He could not risk it

The Consort Drew hard, rolling to the side and strengthening a claw to shatter the lock he had eroded A twist of the chain freed one of his legs, and he reached out, snatching the broken pieces of lock in his talons

A short burst of power sent ic could leave the circle at the center of the mosaic, but once in motion, the projectiles flew uninhibited

The Heir batted one piece aside with a wave of his weapon The Explorer dissipated, letting it pass harhtened, healing the daled her shield and diverted the missile harmlessly

The male drone was dim, but quick and alert He stepped precisely as the Consort anticipated, and the twisted bit of metal ht angle to rebound into the back of his head, knocking the warded wrappings he wore askew

Dazed, the drone stu forward, the barest fingertip crossing the circle

But even that breach was enough for the Consort to slip into histhe drone’s will like an insect

The others rushed to hiot to his feet and placed himself in front of the Consort, his spear and shield held at the ready

"Shanjat, stand aside," the Heir said

"Your drone no longer controls this shell," the Consort replied, using the warrior’s mouth to form the clumsy, inefficient vibrations of their speech

The Heir pointed the hated weapon at him "Shanjat is ready for Heaven, demon We will not release you for hireed "He is only a drone He does not expect you to save hiiveness for his failure"

"There is no dishonor in being defeated by a superior foe," the Heir said, ement How easily they were reed "You were correct that I cannot form your words, but this drone will serve hence as my voice"

The fe with a delicious blend of pain and anger The Explorer reached again for the curtain "Just for now, Shanvah You’ll get your da back"

She would not, of course The Consort had already severed the drone’s will and replaced it with his own He could access the drone’s thoughts, feelings, and memories, but without the Consort’s will to animate it, the body would wither and die "What price for my freedom?"

"The path to the Core," the Explorer said

"They are all about, for one such as you, Explorer," the Consort said

The Explorer shook his head "A real one Kind you use to erous path, and winding," the Consort said "Countless twists and turns Too uide you"

"We cannot simply trust this servant of Nie," the Heir said

"No one trusts anyone," the Explorer said "Just talking, is all"