She concentrated on what was coming, tried to feel it but knew it hung in the balance, just as it had when she had come through the Attar Mountains with Talisker. There was a decision she would have to make, one way would lead to her death, the other to more danger. She could not see beyond her own oblivion, but if she did survive she knew she would find true love for herself, but heartbreak for her people. She wished she were only human, and not aware of anything in her path.
Light cracked through the grill at her feet and she drew her Twirler, spun it and unsheathed her sword as the lift reached its destination.
A dull blue glow ebbed from beyond the grill but she could see nothing more. She flattened herself against the side of the lift and kicked the grill open. Her breathing was har
