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If we shift out of altered flight, can you sink a dagger between his eyes? Once the words left her mind, she realized just how deep she was into this world. She couldn’t imagine Shayna-the-college-student ever talking so easily about killing someone.
Marius, I’ve been holding back siphoning your power, believing that you needed it to fight, but I think I should change that strategy. I need to see Daniel for myself. I need to see everything that’s going on. Can I take more?
He turned toward her slightly. Don’t hold back. Take as much power of mine as you need. We’re in this together and you’re a big part of the equation. And you definitely need to see what we’re dealing with here.
She held his gaze for a moment, and some of her trembling stopped. He was counting on her, on all her weird abilities in his world, and she wanted to be ready for whatever Daniel threw at them both. We’re improvising, then.
Not sure we have a choice, but given Daniel’s level of power, it’s probably best anyway. If he had an inkling of any plan we might have, he could anticipate my maneuvers and block them.
She nodded and shifted her gaze back to the weapon. Focusing on the blood-chain at her neck, she centered her thoughts on siphoning what she needed.
As the power began to flow, her ability to see through Daniel’s disguise sharpened. The layers started to melt away until he and at least fifty of his men came into view. Her heart seized. They were all dressed in black and big like Marius, all hovering in the air, daggers and chains in battle-ready positions. Rough them up a bit and they’d look like a biker gang.
Daniel, smiling as always, hovered in the middle, Quill and Lev on each side.
She trembled all over again. Too much adrenaline. Once more she worked to calm herself. How were they supposed to defeat an overwhelming force like that?
Shayna, I can see a way out, but we’ll have to play this just right, so let me ask you something. Could you levitate if I let go of you?
She searched her abilities and her body. Yes, but only in brief spurts.
Altered flight?
Yes. The same. Very limited.
Good. That’s all we’ll need for this. For now, I’m going to keep holding on to you, hoping that Daniel and his boys missed that you’ve got these skills.
She began to see the direction of his thoughts. The only way out of this is to set off the weapon and I’ll have to do it, human that I am.
That’s what I’m thinking. I may have gained speed, but not enough to battle fifty soldiers, Daniel, and his sons all at once. But the timing has to be right.
Shayna gathered her courage. And first, we have to lure them out of altered flight.
Shit, you’re trembling. There’s still time to go back, Shayna.
At that, she laughed. Not on your life. I didn’t come all this way to run-and-hide now, but I appreciate the thought. As for the way I’m shaking, just ignore it. Call it battle nerves or something.
You’re doing fine. You’re one helluva woman, and I’m proud to know you.
Marius smiled at her. In the middle of all this nonsense, he smiled. Her heart swelled, liking this man so much.
And he was proud of her.
Reverting her attention to the weapon, she said, There’s a switch in front. Do you see it?
Yes. Marius’s arm tightened around her waist.
It’s off to the left, so be sure to position me on that side.
I’m going to move in now, Marius said.
Go for it.
He shifted from altered flight to levitation and flew steadily toward the land bridge. Daniel held his arm up, a gesture that appeared to keep his force in check.
“I’m here to take the weapon, Daniel. I can’t let you keep it since I’ve already seen what it can do.” He landed on the thick stone bridge, still holding Shayna tight against him.
Daniel moved slowly in his direction, shifting out of altered flight. Quill and Lev, and the rest of his force, remained behind. His penetrating gaze moved from Marius to Shayna. When he held her gaze, she felt him reaching for her mind, wanting to talk to her telepathically, but she blocked him. A chill went down her spine. If evil could take a form, it would look just like Daniel Briggs.
