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Kylar stepped back and the floor opened like a coffin lid There was a wo and blonde, carefully arrayed in s-lashed eyes were closed, her cheeks flushed, full lips pink, skin flawless alabaster For soirl was a collection of details that refused to coalesce into a woman: a familiar dimple here, the sweep of her neck Her dress hite silk, sli orElene would have worn Elene Kylar staggered back "Elene!"

Her lips curved into a smile She drew a breath Lovely brown eyes opened Kylar’s knees eak She reached out a regal hand, and when he took it, she rose alrace

"You--you don’t have any scars," Kylar said

"I can’t stand ugliness I want to be beautiful for you," Elene said, and she sently, "I need Curoch"

He looked into her sh the ka’kari, Elene looked like an archic swirled thickly around her Elene wasn’t Talented, but this was Elene

His heart froze

Distantly, he heard theopen His knees hit the floor

"Kylar! No!" Vi shouted Nuan, one ar a crown; the reatly Talented; Dorian the prophet; Lord General Agon Brant; and Captain Kaldrosa Wyn with fifty of Agon’s Dogs

The scent of Elene filled Kylar’s nostrils as she stepped close What had she done?

His eyes snapped open as Elene snatched Curoch fron She looked intoxicated as she gazed at the blade She laughed and twirled

"Trace, that’s enough," Durzo said suddenly

She stopped abruptly and stared at Durzo, disbelieving "Acaelus? No, it can’t be"

"Hand it over, Trace And the white ka’kari, too Release that girl’s body"

Elene’s eyes narrowed "It is you"