d in her ears. Her heart pounded a frantic rhythm against her ribs. She reached the end

hinges shrieked, a high-pitc

died instantly. Three h

was tossing a new, crimson-gemmed enhancement ring in the air.

sive leather sofa. He was filing his nails. He didn't e

d the front of her pristine white robes and walked towar

e stared at the three p

hy deal?" she demanded, her voice

ring and shoved it onto his finger. "Don't be so rig

Alana's throat. She pointed a shak

Rift," Alana snapped. "I burned my own mental energy

off the desk. A ball of orange flame ignited in h

e, her eyes dead. "You still can't even st

nail filing. "Chet is offering us silver-ti

prints for those daggers? I stayed awake for thre

g into his cuticle. A drop of blood welled up. Jere

comforting hand on Alana's shoulder. "Alana, my child. You

. She slapped Charmaine's h

r holy magic to cover up the stench of y

rk plastered across his face. He walked past Alana, treating her like

make this official. A democratic vote. All in favor of re

into the air immediately,

. Then, slowly, he raised his hand,

traced a holy cross over he

otes. U

ing pressure in her chest suddenly vanished. The tightness

ed into a col

s closed around the silver Dawnbreaker badge. She ripp

d the heavy silver badge down

ac

glass surface. The sharp sound made all four of them jum

eyes over them

id, her voice eerily calm. "I am

walked out the door.

hout us!" Dallin sc

nd slammed it shut, cutting off his v