teeth stung. The air thickened and became charged with electricity; he groped involuntarily for hi

n yelled above th

ng he could hear. Though her hands were near the sphere, an e

ow was a combat zone, the once-sleek furnishings broken by jagg

inning mass, it changed slowly to reveal a tall, robed creature with Ethan's spi

or across the air, the figure sang, "Ser

k on. Her voice was poison; "You dare to follo

e space. Instead you followed the current polic

ism piercing the suspense, he said, "Okay, hold on

ugh every secret and every vulnerability shown before it was being revealed. His sense of s

ve no place in this, the man said. L

, friend," recommended. "This is my reality, my fabrication; r

overed quickly. Ethan, dumb; stay away f

r either, Ethan shot back. " Would no

ready, but before he could get to him Seraphina reacted with a go

I won't let you hurt him," and her

, care for him, please. Little town: how smal

r. Ethan looked about for something somewhat practical; h

e said, "how d

. "The orb offers ability as well as a sign

hoice was He sprinted toward the sphere dodging falling rubbl

gs. His dream veered to show flashes of another place: a crumbling palace shrouded in d

r, plain, crisp and forceful. There

re brilliantly. The beast stared narrowingly and lock

ntrolled strength coursing through him. He raised the

he dark energy vanished. Her look at Ethan was one of com

not sure." Still, I can envision use for t

g flame. It snarled; I'm not sure why. Seraphina cannot

h that awful si

with vague gestures. "

, her emerald eyes wide with a combination of incre

l," she whispered at las

me just slightly golden before he could finish. Seraphina's face dar

arkness; "We h