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An unholy screa at thean to drop left and right

“You ungrateful child” She shook her head, her face cru Your Granny was right I should’ve drowned you in the lake”

Nothing she could say could wipe the triumphant s to ruin this victory I’d coed into be different for this warrior

“I think that’s about enough” Luke wiped his hand across the back of his head, spreading a s”

With a single lunge of his long legs, he struck with his sword, driving it into her heart Elizabeth gasped and squirmed on his weapon As he withdrew it, a cloud of black s the forest floor Curling aroundfor so down to the inevitable But it didn’t find it With a last groan, the cloud sunk into the ground and disappeared

Elizabeth fell to the ground, cri across her torn blouse Her eyelids fluttered as she clutched at her chest and gazed up at the pine trees above

“Luke?” Blood appeared at the edge of her hed up a spray and reached for him “My love”

He was by her side in an instant, clasping her hand in his Cradling her head, he leaned her up to look in her eyes “Elizabeth”

“I’m sorry I’m so sorry” Tears fell from the corner of her brown eyes and down her lovely face “I wasn’t strong enough I couldn’t fight it”

“It’s not your fault” He gasped and pulled her in closer Blood and tears ran down his chin and onto her chest “I’ivable”

“Don’t” She pressed a bloody finger to his lips “Don’t blame yourself”

His head dropped and he sobbed into her shoulder

I stood watching froht of aret Thatcher’s death had been quick and absolute I hadn’t expected to get a glimpse of the mother I never knew I hadn’t expected to watch her die

“Lizzy” Her hand reached out to me I stared at it, unsure what to do “Lizzy, please” She coughed up blood again

Suddenly, Gabe stood by ently tookers curled around hers, even though I was afraid I ht break her