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has caused, the land has as many humans as it can sustain.
Therefore, We now decree that humans shall progress from the first to the second phase, and from
second to third, when their Spirits deem them ready. This will end the perversion of powers that brings so
much pain, and babies will be born to those who want them. Most important, those who cannot or
choose not to bear children will not be hindered in their magic.
Rhia took in a deep breath. Marek smiled at her, teeth shining white against his soot-stained face.
Power should no longer be an end in itself, Raven continued. What Our people need now is not
another military victory, but a spiritual revolution. The time for force has ended. The enemy must be won,
not conquered. Most of you already have what you need to make this happen.
She looked at Rhia, whose heart tripped at the sight of the endless dark eyes.
Raven s light vanished. In place of Her many-colored feathers, sleek black ones appeared. The curve of
Her beak straightened to a point, and She shrank until She looked just like
Crow.
The crowd recoiled. Rhia realized that none of them had ever seen Him or ever would except at the time
of their death.
Be calm, everyone, He said in the most human voice of all the Spirits. I m not here for you. He
looked at Rhia. I m here for her.
No, Marek gasped.
Rhia smiled. Crow didn t mean it was her time to die.
The Spirit bowed gallantly. Rhia, I grant you your third-phase Aspect, to enter the land of the Dead and
bring a soul back to this world. Crow brushed His wing over her head, and she felt a surge of power
course through her. Then He bent close to her ear and whispered, You ll be needing it soon.
She shivered at the thought of wielding the ultimate magic of life and death. No one should have to make
that choice, but she would now, again and again for the rest of her life.
Choose carefully, Crow said, and then disappeared.
The crowd let out a sigh of relief. Though Rhia sympathized, she d never felt fear in the presence of her
Spirit. He d been her guide and friend her whole life, even when she d rejected Him.
With Raven and Crow gone, everyone stared at Dravek. He helped Sura to her feet, and they fell into a
tight, wordless embrace.
Mother!
Rhia s heart stopped at the sound of Jula s screech. She and Marek turned to see their daughter lurching
toward them down the main street of the hamlet. For a moment Rhia thought she d been injured. She d
been given strict orders to stay with Corek and the healers, far from the battle area.
It s Uncle Lycas! her daughter shouted. Hurry!
Rhia was swept up in the crowd, as the fighters and the hamlet survivors together crushed toward the
gate to see their leader. Jula waited for her and grabbed her hand.
It might be too late. Tears choked her voice. Corek s with him now, and Mali.
Rhia ran, her heart twisted in fear. Not again. She couldn t lose another brother to this madness.
They followed the crowd beyond the gate, down the hill to what must have been the battlefield, judging
by the bodies strewn on the grass. She recognized several Bears and Wolverines, along with Vara the
Snake.
The sorrow made her stumble. Marek took her hand and pulled her along.
Over here! Jula called from a nearby pile of refuse covered with honeysuckle vines. Someone stood
near it holding a long torch. She and Marek pushed through the crowd, following the light, until they
stood at her brother s feet.
Lycas lay on his back, eyes closed, hands on his chest, clutching his dagger. Her heart quickened with
hope, for Crow s wings were silent. Perhaps her brother was out of danger.
Then Corek looked up at her from where he knelt beside Lycas. The torch cast grim shadows over his
face as he slowly shook his head.
No& Tears spilled from Rhia s eyes. The monsters had stolen too much from her. Nilo, then Nilik and
now Lycas.
Corek stood and let her take his place. She looked across her brother s body and saw Mali holding a
blood-soaked cloth.
We tried to clean him up before everyone came back. Mali nodded at Corek. He already said the
prayer of passage.
Lycas s clothes were spattered with blood, but held no single pool indicating an injury. Was he
wounded? Rhia choked out.
Not today. He fought well, even without Wolverine. The bastards never cut him. Mali smoothed her
hand over the broad chest of her former mate. Maybe he broke a rib. The way he was breathing, it
sounded like his lung was punctured.
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