cle once around the group, enclosing them in a ring of fire. When the circle was complete, Spyder could see something in the flames. A man stepping down from a chariot.
"I couldnt leave you all without saying goodbye," said Xero. Great waves of heat cascaded off his body. He didnt seem to be covered with fire so much as made of it.
"Do you remember that I was the one who taught you your first magic, Alizarin? But I gave you so little considering how much I got in return. Your bed. Your kingdom. Your fathers soul. I even had that boy gutted. Your old partner, Ozymand," said Xero. Shrike held the black blade before her. Xero approached, but carefully stayed beyond her reach. "Your friend there, the pretty fool, injured me when my back was turned. I should be resting, but I needed you to know that even wounded, Im stronger than you. "
"Im not afraid of you. And Im no longer shocked," said Shrike calmly. "You dont have any power over me. "
"You misunderstand. Im not here to hurt you, girl. Im here to give you a gift. Once upon a time, I took your sight. Now Im giving it back. " Xero puckered his lips and blew across his hand, as one might blow a kiss. A roiling fireball enveloped Shrike for a second. When it faded, Xero was gone and Shrike was on the ground. Spyder ran to her and saw, thankfully, that she was unburned by the magic flame. He and Lulu propped Shrike up between them as Ashbliss peered from behind a pile of demon corpses.
"Are you alive?" Ashbliss asked. "The bargain is off if youre dead. "
"Shut up!" shouted Lulu.
Spyder was murmuring into Shrikes ear and patting her cheek. "Youre all right. Youre all right. Wake up, Alizarin. C
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