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Yes, Hailana had died, but she’d done so on the day I’d headed ho had been the same as it alas She’d even wishedto have to be reed and she’d see Coral Straits in ine that in the very last hours of her life she had changed her e If she had, wouldn’t Kona have known about it? And wouldn’t Bali bewith his answers?

I started to call him on his comments, to demand a more complete anshen I realized that he had stopped I’d been so preoccupied that I hadn’t realized we’d gone around the last twist in the hallway and were now standing in front of the door that led to Hailana’s throne roolanced down at ain there was that flash of emotion It looked like concern this time, an impression that was reinforced when he asked, Are you ready?

I wason And even more than that, I wanted to knoho the hell was on the other side of this door I didn’t say all that though I just gave a simple nod and waited while he threw the door open and announced, Ms Teuire here to see Your Majesty

I was bewildered by the old-tiesture Hailana had stood on ceremony, had observed many customs that I found absurd, but even she didn’t demand a full announcement like that Itin that room for me

There was only one way to find out I squared h even as I forced ly clenched into fists When I was ready, I swa , that is, but what I found

I stopped dead only a few feet inside the door and stared in horror at Hailana’s throne--and thein it like he owned the whole world

Well, don’t just stand there, Tempest Come in and say hello

He held his arms out in a blatant mockery of a welcome, and it took every ounce of self-control I had not to turn and flee I suddenly wished I had shifted back to s were faster but because I always feltto need every ounce of confidence--and luck--I coulda little like Alice tu down the rabbit hole, I swa ht I’d have a shot at getting out of here unless he wanted ht up until an entire row of his soldiers slid in behindoff my access to the door

So, Tempest, it’s been rab a seat and tellyou’ve been up to

Obviously not as much as you’ve been up to, Sabyn, I said in the coolest voice I couldcoups now, I see

I prefer the term friendly takeover, he answered

I looked around the roo weapons Sliest and nastiest sea creatures in the ocean I’d run into the Mark and Kona fro them as bait--and payback I’d defeated them once, I told myself as I realized their plethora of weapons was all currently ai my best not to look as freaked out as I felt, I rolled ly friendly

He bared his teeth in what I kneas supposed to be a smile but lookedacross the roo into you after what happened before I told the to behave this time around, but I think they wanted a little extra insurance I grew abruptly sick of the gaht that was obvious I’ the wishes of thetheir no the hell out of people and then seizing the throne isn’t exactly legal these days

Au contraire,They askedof their own volition I just said yes