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Chapter 73
Hannah was dead. Jack could tell because he'd heard the wicked witch chanting right before his older sister had sank first to her knees, then to all fours and finally slumped over. Blood oozed from her eyes, nose, mouth and ears pooling beneath her face. She wasn't moving, not even a little. She had to be dead.
Jack hoped. He didn't want to think about her suffering.
Jack hadn't been able to move either once the witch started her chant only he'd been sitting when it started so he hadn't fallen like Hannah. He was pretty sure he wasn't bleeding but he couldn't tell, not for sure.
What he knew was that he was going to kill the witch. He'd rip out her evil heart and watch the eerie light fade from her eyes. She'd claimed earlier to be over two hundred years old. Jack vowed she wasn't getting any older than tonight.
As soon as he could move.
"Don't strain yourself." The witch crooned over her shoulder. "There is nothing you can do." She was prancing th
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Bite me, Twice Chapter 74
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Camilla's Memories"Good lords, ladies, and worthy friends, I crave your heed!"The hall was small, though with enough room to hold escore-odd guests who strolled while sipping wine goblets. Burghers robed and turbaned strode beside nobles and knights clad in silk jupons. On their arms hung perfumed noblewomen of faces both dark and fair, though hair dark despite the jewels sparkling therein. Painted silks of blue and rose clung to their curves but did not hide where they plunged between breasts and clung low on hips, revealing taut, pouting bellies.On a stand at the hall's head, shared with musicians who had paused play, Theophobus spread arms welcomingly: "It is my great honor to return to Yaralet after many years abroad, and again in your excellent company I look forward to providing you such enchantments for your pleasure as I once did, and advising in matters sorcerous."For your diversion tonight," he added: "I provide a small challenge." He waved,
Bite me, Twice Chapter 76
Camilla stepped unseen among the courtiers. Under fluted columns and arching, sky-painted ceilings, full threescore revelers and more danced and laughed within the Palace of Yaralet. Zithers, flutes, and drum played a rolling, hypnotic tune while dancing girls, nude but for scarves clung to round hips and bangles on wrist and breast, who writhed and whirled bone lessly. Slaves oiled and shaven bore silver platters full of sweetmeats, or ewers of thick ruby wine among the guests: silken-draped ministers and barons, chiseled knights with hard arms in sleeveless tunics, and noble ladies in gossamer gowns that hinted wickedness half-concealed.Camilla studied the panorama, of bodies strutting amid the candles and blazes, figures flitting among the shadows, pairs twisting on each other, and those seeking solace among the hall's nooks or benighted spaces, where the portico opened unto the palace gardens. She watched their stirrings away from the light, from the broad banquet tables
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