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nbsp; Instead, after the clash of asped to see Manuel standing over me He had his oord in hand The ht off Oscar’s attack The two of theainst each other, before Oscar’s sword clattered to the ground and Manuel stood triumphant

“What are you doing?” Silvia stor “She’s a threat to the entire world Can’t you see? Her death would mean salvation for all”

I couldn’t see his face as he stared her down, but his quiet response reached ht to sacrifice an innocent life”

“Innocent?” She tore at her hair and crazy desperation filled her eyes “How can you call her innocent? She’s part de, remember?”

“She is innocent” His voice took on a stubborn tone “She can’t help what those things did to her I will not allow her to be killed”

She snarled in response and her voice got deadly quiet “Are you determined to follow in your brother’s footsteps, Manuel? A traitor to your own kind? I will see that you are buried for this”

“Do what you will” His shoulders straightened “But this isn’t right, Silvia This isn’t you The woo would never have ordered the execution of an innocent woman”

She stared up at hi in her eyes At the saan to wake and he pushed hi it each way to assess the dae

He blinked several times, blurry-eyed “What happened?”

“Oscar tried to kill ot in his way,” I said,easier and easier to talk about souess I’d had too much practice

His eyes flashed angrily “Right!” Hopping up, he held onto me as he stumbled forward “Where is that traitor?”

“He left,” I said, looking around Soh thearound “Manuel stopped him I’m okay”

Taking rabbedme over

“Really, I’ly, the attack hadn’t left s to worry about”

Manuel was still in the act of cal Silvia down, but a protective circle had fored to push through the crowds and acted like huht seek to do ed to shake off his captors, his face an ugly shade of red, and joined thery