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Those of us on the other side merely backed away, except for Jesse, who had moved towards the door

She stood beside Khayman and as I looked at him now I saith amazement that he wore a thin, bitter smile

"The curse,sharply to fill the room

The woman froze as she heard him behind her But she did not turn around

And Akasha, her face shiht, quavered visibly, and the tears flowed again

"All against me, all of you!" she said "Not a one ould come to my side!" She stared at me, even as the woman moved towards her

The wo and her hands only slightly poised, her arms still down at her sides Yet it was the perfect attitude of menace as she took one slow step after another

But again Khay her suddenly to a halt

Chapter 39

In another language, he cried out, his voice gaining volume untii it was a roar And only the dimmest translation of it came clear to me

"The Queen Of The Damnedhour of worst menaceI shall rise to stop you" I understood It had been Mekare's-the woman's-prophecy and curse And everyone here knew it, understood it It had to do with that strange, inexplicable dream

"Oh, no, my children!" Akasha screamed suddenly "It is not finished!"

I could feel her collecting her powers; I could see it, her body tensing, breasts thrust forward, her hands rising as if reflexively, fingers curled

The woman was struck by it, shoved backwards, but instantly resisted And then she too straightened, her eyes widening, and she rushed forward so swiftly I couldn't follow it, her hands out for the Queen

I saw her fingers, caked withtowards Akasha; I saw Akasha's face as she was caught by her long black hair I heard her scream Then I saw her profile, as her head struck the westernand shattered it, the glass crashing down in great ragged shards