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I would have expected Angelina to cower in the presence of the powerful woh untroubled, crystalline eyes

But I orried And I woul

d never take a chance that any harm would come topossession of Angelina

"You win," I breathed at last, stepping into the path of her gaze and forcing her to take her eyes away from my sister "Take h Sabara, invigorating her with renewed energy,her feel more alive than she had in years Possibly decades

Everything she wanted ithin her grasp

She had found the girl’s weakness when she’d discovered the child Charlaina would do anything to protect her sister And without even realizing it, she’d spoken the words She’d inadvertently started the process

She could hear Maxled to be released, but his words were in vain Still, he’d overstepped his bounds, and faressions Not now, of course She would bide her time, find a way to make his death appear accidental

For now she had otherout the sounds around her as sheforth her life force--her Essence--in preparation to make the transfer

Soon she would have a new body A beautiful, young body

XXV

"No, Charlie! No!" I heard Max shouting over and over again His voice was loud and clear and inescapable

But already y that wasn’tfelt off, and the rhythlanced down at Angelina, relieved that she would be spared in all of this She was the reason I’d made this unholy pact, and she would remain untouched by the darkness that I could already feel spilling into my veins

In her blue eyes I could read her unspoken plea as she begged me not to do this I had always understood e

I turned away, unable to bear the pain I was about to cause her

My head began to sith memories that were not my own There were lovers and battles and births and deaths Faces, na inside of me faded to black, as joy and love were conquered, and hate and sin burgeoned anew Malevolence became my very nature