The Director of
the Center for Life Science opened the ceremony. He had taught biology to Tessa
and Violet in their first year at the Academy. His slow, sonorous voice tended
to send his listeners to sleep and today was no exception. He began with a long
winded introduction to the bride and groom and their excellent qualities.
Leaning back in
his chair, Athanor closed his eyes. The lecture bored him. In contrast,
Violet’s green eyes gleamed with delight. She had never attended a wedding and
Tessa was her special friend. Concealing her thoughts from Athanor, Violet suppressed
her worries. How could she ever get married when she loved a Grand Master? Lira
purred softly beside her, untroubled by shadows of the Grand Masters.
Violet kept her
senses tuned to Athanor. She feared he would fall asleep and inadvertently
expose everyone to his raw power when he woke. His mind hazed and she sent him
a mental pinch.
Suppressing a
yawn, he sent unconvincingly, “I’m awake.”
His mind sharpened, and he griped, “Next
time, remind me not to accept an invitation to a wedding.”
“You weren’t invited,” she snickered
mentally and squeezed his hand. He groaned under his breath.
After the
Director finished his introduction, the rest of the ceremony was short and
simple. The mediator offered a blessing and Phineas slid the ring over Tessa’s
slender finger. Violet’s eyes misted, anticipating their happiness.
Boom! A red
explosion shattered the glass panes in the curved wall of the atrium. Screams
mingled with the tinkle of glass shards on the stone-tiled floor. Menacing psi
pressure vibrated through the room.
Eyes flaring
ruby light, Morrigu dropped into the central space. Her long blonde braids and
four red-skinned arms were a nightmarish hybrid of Celtic and Hindu myths.
Tessa crumpled
in a dead faint and Phineas caught her in his arms. He backed away form the
horrid scarlet beams of the Red Queen. She had violated the essential ban
against exposing normal people to unshielded psi energy. Many people in the
audience collapsed in psychic shook. His face blanched, Srini clutched at the
chair back in front of him. Ears folded back and trembling, Lira hissed at the
terrible apparition.
Leaping to his
feet, Athanor raised his arms high above his head. Sheets of blue light rippled
around the terrified wedding party, creating a protective enclosure. Some of
the audience fainted and the rest were rigid with shock. His mind merged with
Violet and he griped, “She looks more
devilish then ever.”
Livid coils of
psi energy surged through the air, crackling between the two Grand Masters.
Book 1 and 2 are published
