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"What is happening?" she asked.
I ca
Magiere glanced down at Wy
"Chap believes something is influencing her," Wy
They had all followed Magiere this far, and Wy
Magiere crouched and picked up her sword. She sca
"That way."
At Magiere's first step, Sgaile quickly closed on her.
"You would turn your back on this thing?"
His tone worried Wy
"Li'kan?" Wy
Magiere spun back, releasing Wy
"What did you call her?" Magiere hissed.
"Her name…," Wy
Wy
"This place holds secrets," Wy
Chap wrinkled a jowl at Wy
"Will you come?" Wy
The white undead ceased whispering. A sharp shake of her head tossed her black hair across her face. Her irises rolled down from beneath quivering eyelids, and she swung her head toward the sage. Wy
Li'kan studied her, appraised her, trying to decide if she were prey-or at least that was how it seemed to Wy
Magiere headed for the left corridor. Chap closed behind her, watching over his shoulder.
Must you share all my concerns whenever they pop into your head?
Wy
Osha tried to step in, but Sgaile pulled him back. Leesil waited as well. Once the undead had followed Wy
"I had to say something," Wy
I could be wrong.
Wy
Li'kan is undead and mad… and ca
Wy
Li'kan paced close behind. Her white body turned deep gray in the tight passage's shadowy space. Somewhere farther back, the glow of Leesil's retrieved amulet silhouetted the undead in a dim orange aura.
Wy
Magiere led the way out the passage's end into a large room. At first, Wy
Shadow partitions sharpened into high stone casements, and Wy
Shelf upon shelf of disarrayed texts rose above her. Some had crumbled and others were broken and decayed. Scroll cases of wood, metal, and bone or horn stood on end or lay toppled in heaps. Everywhere she saw bound sheaves, books, and cloth- or hide-wrapped bundles. And the row of tall, wide stone bookcases ran both ways along the chamber, uncountable beyond the reach of the amulet's light.
Wy
"Wy
She dug her crystal out of her coat. Dim light still emanated from it, and she rubbed furiously as she turned, looking for Osha. He stood just inside the passage's exit with bundled coats and cloaks in his arms. Then he was blotted from sight as Li'kan rushed in between the casements.
"Wy
Li'kan's urgent eyes sparked in the crystal's white light, and Wy
Her narrow fingers bit through the aged cover and pages.
Li'kan's perfect white face twisted in anguish. Wy
Li'kan's wide-eyed gaze raced around the shelves, and she grabbed for an age-marred tin scroll case. A gloved hand snarled in the top of her black hair.
Wy
Magiere jerked Li'kan by the hair, and the undead's head snapped backward. But she clasped the scroll case to her bare chest, as if keeping it mattered more than freeing herself. Magiere dragged Li'kan out, pivoted sharply, and threw the woman beyond Wy
"Wy
"Spread out!" Sgaile snapped, then vanished to the right.
Osha dropped his bundles, drew stilettos, and disappeared to the left.
Wy
The instant she stepped into the open, Osha appeared on her left. He flipped one stiletto into his other hand and grabbed her wrist, dragging her left along the row of casements.
Off the other way, Wy
Beyond the white undead, Leesil half-crouched and slid in next to Magiere.
Magiere cocked up her falchion in a doubled grip. Li'kan charged, and Magiere took a lunging step, bringing her sword down-and then stumbled.
The blade never passed Magiere's shoulder. It wavered heavily in her grip as Li'kan lurched to a halt, teetering on her small feet.
Wy
Magiere blinked twice, opening her eyes more slowly each time. She was breathing hard.
Chap circled around both women, and his admonishment lashed sharply in Wy
Do not move-do nothing, unless you tell us first!
Li'kan spun about. Fury melted from her petite features when her gaze found Wy
Osha jerked hard on Wy
Li'kan grew almost manic. Her colorless eyes widened over her slack mouth, her lips trembling. She began to shake as if caught in overwhelming anxiety, and then she thrust out the scroll case toward Wy
Even in fright, a part of Wy
Do not even think of it!
Then Chap's ears pricked up as Li'kan's small mouth began to work and twist.