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Valek re nor questioning Finally, with ice crystallizing in his voice he said, "Brazell and Mogkan will be destroyed"

Promise or a threat, I couldn’t tell, but with all of Valek’s force behind it, it was more than idle talk

As if they had heard their nah thelanterns escorted theood to see you back where you belong," Brazell said to me "My desire to feel your blood on kan has kindly informed me of your fate, should you not receive your antidote" Brazell paused, and s in excruciating pain will be better justice I’ll visit later to hear your screaht put you out of your misery, just so I can breathe in the hot scent of your blood"

Brazell’s gaze bored into Valek’s cell "Disobeying a direct order is a capital offense Co is scheduled for noon to Valek like a thoroughbred "I think I shall have your head stuffed and mounted You’ll make an effective decoration in , Brazell and Mogkan left the dungeon The darkness that flowed in after theainstaroundfro despondency I kicked at the bars, threw straw into the air and pounded on the walls

"Yelena," Valek finally said, "settle down Get soht"

"Oh yeah, everyone needs to be well rested to die," I said, but regretted my harshness when I remembered that Valek, too, faced death "I’ll try"

I lay on the foul straw, knowing it was futile to try and rest How could anyone sleep her last hours away?

Apparently, I could

I ith a cry My nightmare about ratsonto my feet, I kicked the rodent It crashed into the wall and skittered away

"Nice nap?" Valek asked

"I’ve had better My sleeping co was I out?"

"It’s hard to tell without the sun I’ it’s close to sunset"

I had received aveto live, but the syht

"Valek, I have a confess…" My throat closed My stomach muscles contracted with such severity that I felt as if so to rip them from my body

"What’s theeven though the pain had subsided "Is this the start?"

"Yes They begin slowly, but soon the convulsions will be continuous"