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RYANDALTON
room. We’ll get to the Empyrean Bridge, Malcolm thought, and
then gure out how to get home.
Six High Protectors stood in their path. Five eyed the twins
and the royals in turn, uncertain what to do. The sixth, of course,
was brash Liam. Conjuring a massive broadsword of re, he
faced them with a grin that said he was eager for a ght.
“Move or be moved,” Malcolm warned.
In response, Liam created a £aming tower shield in his o¢
hand, bellowed, and charged.
“Stand down, Liam!” Captain Armel shouted.
But the young Guard was beyond reason. Drawing close,
Liam raised his weapon to strike.
He got no further.
Malcolm opened his nexus just as Valentine opened hers.
Their coronas burst with dazzling light.
Wrapping the broadsword in slowed Time, Malcolm £exed
his will and matched re with ice. The weapon £ashed into
steam. He focused those same £ows on Liam’s feet and froze
him to the ground.
Sheathed in fast Time, Valentine danced a complete circle
around Liam before he could blink, her re whips snapping in
rapid succession. When she returned to Malcolm’s side, Liam’s
silver plating fell away and clanged to the ground.
They could have let it end there. They should have. But
Malcolm was angry, and he could feel the same heat from his
sister.
With an extra nudge, he encased Liam’s body in a solid
block of ice. Valentine unleashed a lightning bolt and hit the
block dead center. The ice shattered and Liam £ew backward.
Tumbling onto the dark stones, he slid to a stop and did not
get up.
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