Crystal Dragon by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee Read Free Book Online

yourself!

    The thunder of the command all but shredded her control; how Rool Tiazan maintained his deception in the brunt of it was more than she could comprehend.

    The muddy fires constricted, as if in fear, and flared sluggishly.

    There beneath the Shadow, she dared to form a thought deep within her secret heart, trusting that he would hear her.

    If you are too small , she whispered, you will be found unworthy.

    The Shadow grew dense, and the command came again. She clung to her control, focused—saw a flare of pure golden light pierce the loftier aether, and another, very nearly the blue of his eyes.

    A third time, the Iloheen commanded. The muddy essence deformed, as if its strength were failing.

    Once again, she acted where cold reason would have counseled her to wait.

    Edonai .

    The Shadow withdrew a segment of its attention from Rool Tiazan and placed it upon her. She abased herself.

    Speak .

    Edonai, should this submissive be destroyed, I will be unable to pursue the great work until another vessel has been formed, another tumzaliat downloaded and trained. Her thought was steady and cool; her protections down.

    It is a poor tool , the Iloheen responded. Perhaps you are worthy of better.

    Edonai, it is well enough. You come at the conclusion of a match of wills. We are both of us exhausted.

    A wing of dark satisfaction crossed her perception—and the Shadow coalesced, enveloping her, cutting off her perceptions. Fear was a spear of flame through her core. She rode it down, gathered what poor senses that were left to her tight, and endured while the Shadow constricted further and the sense of satisfaction grew, filling all the planes on which she existed, freezing her thought, shredding her essence, annihilating ...

    Somewhere beyond the limitless frozen dark, her fragmented senses registered a flare of light. One single ray pierced the Shadow, growing brighter, broader, spilling ripples of golds and blues.

    Around her—within her—the Iloheen laughed, and it was terrible.

    It displays merit. The cold voice stated. You may proceed.

    The Shadow was gone; her senses returned in a flare of agony and she fell into the physical plane so suddenly her body convulsed and she screamed against the air.

    She fought the body's systems like a novice, felt the muscles knot—and then loosen as warmth flowed through her. Panting, she re-established control, opened her eyes and beheld Rool Tiazan on his knees beside her; his hands flat against her breast.

    How ? she sent to him.

    The fierce eyes met hers boldly.

    There are myriad hows. Choose.

    How have the Iloheen missed you only now ? But as soon as she formed the thought, she knew.

    The ley lines , she answered her own question. You manipulated time, probability, and space.

    So much power , she thought secretly, and did not care that he stood within her walls, and heard. Iloheen-bailel, indeed .

    Iloheen . His laughter rippled, gold-ebon-silver. I am never so clumsy. Did you not hear your Iloheen approach? Arrogant, noisy....

    Peace —she sent sharply, the while recalling that strange disturbance which had called her from thought directly before the Shadow had manifested. As foretold by both the biology and philosophy tutors, she had gained new senses from her joining with Rool Tiazan.

    So you know how . He sat back on his heels, hands flat on his thighs.

    And now I would know why . Painfully, she pushed herself into a sitting position, and frowned up into his face.

    Free space beyond the larger cage is well-watched. I thought to find a less guarded route of escape.

    And instead bound yourself to a biologic construct . She felt—not fear's bright, sharp knife, but a dull, dark blade, twisting at her core.

    I did not ...perfectly understand this binding . His thought was soft. I thought you weak and subject to manipulation. I find instead that you are stronger than you should be and that the lines...

    His thought faded.

    The lines? she