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He shoved his way through the crowd He had to get Tink to the palace as quickly as possible Had to su fast enough, he thought, his jaw locked in irritation and frustration He scanned the area There was a carriage winding down the street at a slow pace--slow, but unencuh Tink was cradled in his arms, her head tucked securely in the hollow of his neck, her ars flopped with the force of his e and ju in the side

Two feasped at his sudden appearance Both wo up too much space, so he knew they were part of the upper class

"Either watch over the girl while I take over the driving, or get out of the vehicle," he said "But you should know that if you har against him "You’re Lord Kane! I’ve been so desperate to ht," the other pleaded

They weren’t going to cooperate Fine He grabbed the female closest to hiround, screa all around her

He turned to the other girl and reached

She blew hilance to Tink--nothing had changed; she was in the sa on to the roof He had to kick up his leg to crawl to the top of the vehicle, then slide down to the driver’s seat The scent of animal and sweat immediately assaulted him

The driver jolted, startled by his sudden presence, and tried to seize a weapon Kane kicked hie and confiscated the reins He whipped at the horses, and the carriage picked up speed Once Tink was healed, he would leave this land, he thought Froht He couldn’t help her If not for his worse for her

In fact, he’d s worse for everyone

Once Disaster was taken care of, he would co and fall in love with her A ood for her That man would move heaven and earth to save her; he would do whatever she needed done Wage war on her faht her, thrill her Definitely Sweep her away to another land, somewhere safe The tould marry, and they would make love, have the children Tink was too afraid to have now, and she would be happy Finally, blissfully happy

Yes, one day

And then I’ll kill theto take what’stheir front legs and kicking in protest

"Whoa, whoa," Kane said When they settled, he saw the blonde fro in the road, her hands anchored on her hips

"You shot eance But we’ll deal with that later," she announced "Right noant the girl"

Get in line, feolden flaive her to me now I’ll enslave her in the way of ive her back in a few thousand years How’s that?"

Kane would die first "I hurt you once Don’t enuine amusement "I’d love to see you try, warrior You won’t catch me by surprise a second ti the horses to plow ahead The girl had to jump out of the way to avoid i onto the back wheel to be dragged along Dust sprayed the air, probably choking her

Silly girl What did she think she would accohed Stiffening, he glanced back The Phoenix had fallen away froulfed by flaer hidden in his boot and cut the horses loose As the carriage teetered to one side, Kane scrambled toward the doorwayteetered h the center door as the entire vehicle slaed to wrap his arms around Tink and absorb e finally settled, sone quiet Too quiet

Extreers into the pulse at her neck A faint thureeted hi, he lifted her and draped her liaze scanning as he hefted her over his shoulder Through the thickening s flaulfed, just like the wheel--no, the whole botto with menace

He expected to see her felloarriors, but there were none He made a split-second decision

He had to kill her, if only for a little while As with all Phoenix, she would die and her body would burn to ash But there was a very real possibility she would rise again, more powerful than before

Whatever Kane threw the blade still clutched in his hand, and it soared toward her, flipping end over end She ju to er he’d taken fro possessed an ability she hadn’t anticipated, switching course and following her, ah as she was, the blade found a horunted, hit the ground without any grace