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I Marked The CEO Mine 29
Her kiss was the only way she could show him that she understood. But Noah wouldnt kiss her the way she wanted. The closer she pressed to him, the farther back he leaned. Finally he pushed her away completely. He held on only to her hands, as if the rest of her were dangerous. Lady. He kissed the very tips of her fingers, making her shiver. Would I be too bold to say your love makes you unmannerly? Unmannerly? Lawrence blushed. Noah took her back into his arms, slowly, a bit nervously. Good Lucinda, you must not find yourself in this place dressed as you are. His eyes kept returning to her dress. What clothes are these? Where is your costume? He reached into a wardrobe and flicked through the clothes pegs. Quickly, Noah began to unlace his boots, tossing them on the floor with two thuds. Lawrence tried not to gape when he dropped his trousers. He wore short gray pantaloons underneath that left very little to the imagination. Her cheeks burned as Noah briskly unbutton
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Chi? she whispered. I need you to do that thing where you press Pause so I can-- "Shhhh!" Chis hiss had a finality that said Lawrence was on her own. She would just have to wait until this man left so she could get Clementine Hunter alone. Unexpectedly, Clementine Hunter moved toward the wardrobe where Lawrence was hiding. Clementine Hunter reached inside. Her hand moved toward the golden cloak right next to Lawrence s shoulder. Lawrence held her breath, reached up, clasped her fingers with Lucindas. Clementine Hunter gasped and threw the door wide, staring deep into Lawrence s eyes, teetering on the edge of some inexplicable understanding. The floor beneath them seemed to tilt. Lawrence grew dizzy, closing her eyes and feeling as if her soul had dropped out of her body. She saw herself from the outside: her strange dress that Chi had altered on the fly, the raw fear in her eyes. The hand in hers was soft, so soft she could barely feel it. She blinked and Clementine Hunt
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Daniels eyes flashed with pain. No, he whispered. Please dont go yet. Somehow, it always took both of them by surprise. As her past selfs body erupted into flames, there was a sound of cannon fire, but Lawrence couldnt be sure. Her eyes went blurry with brightness and she was cast far up and out of Lucindas body, into the air, into darkness. No! she cried as the walls of the Announcer closed around her. Too late. Whats the problem now? Chi asked. I wasnt ready. I know Clementine Hunter had to die, but I--I was just-- Shed been on the brink of understanding something about the choice shed made to love Daniel. And now everything about those last moments with Noah had gone up in flames along with her past self. Well, theres not much more to see, Chi said. Just the usual routine of a building catching fire-- smoke, walls of flame, people screaming and stampeding toward the exits, trampling the less fortunate underfoot--you get the picture. The Globe burned to the ground. "
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This was the night hed almost given up. Now his shoulders burned. The sudden urge to let his wings out almost brought him to his knees. His insides roiled with shame-filled horror. It was rising in him, the temptation hed fought so long to repress. In the circle around the fire, Daniels past self looked at Noah . Youre unusually quiet tonight. Noah didnt answer right away. What would you have me say? You faced this problem once. You know-- "And what would you have me say?" Noah sucked in his breath. Something charming and persuasive. Annabelle snorted. Or something underhanded and absolutely evil. Everyone waited. Noah wanted to burst forth from behind the rock, to rip his past self away from here. But he couldnt. His Announcer had brought him here for a reason. He had to go through the whole thing again. Youre trapped, Noah said at last. You think because there was once a beginning, and because youre somewhere in the middle now, that there is going to be an end. B
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Thats exactly the sort of thing Ix Cuat would say! You always were a little bit backward! What do you mean? See, you--Ix Cuat--were born during the Wayeb, which are these five odd days at the end of the Mayan year that everyone gets real superstitious about because they dont fit into the calendar. Kind of like leap-year days. Its not exactly lucky to be born during Wayeb. So no one was shocked when you grew up to be an old maid. Old maid? Lawrence asked. I thought I never live past seventeen . . . more or less. Seventeen here in Chich?n Itz? is ancient, Chi said, floating from head to head, his wings humming as they fluttered. But its true, you never used to live much past seventeen or thereabouts. Its been kind of a mystery as to why in the lifetime of Clementine Hunter Price youve managed to stick around so long. Noah said it was because I wasnt baptized. Now Lawrence was sure she heard drums--and that they were drawing closer. But how can that matter? I mean, I bet I
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The pyramid towered over her. The painted temple at the top--where Chi had said Ix Cuat would be--felt as distant as a star. Lawrence was so thirsty. Her throat ached for water; the ground scorched the soles of her feet. It felt like the entire world was burning up. This place is very sacred, Chi murmured in her ear. This temple was built on top of a previous temple, which was built on top of yet another temple, and so on, all of them oriented to mark the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. On those two days at sunset, the shadow of a serpent can be seen sliding up the steps of the northern stairs. Cool, huh? Lawrence just huffed and began climbing the stairs. The Mayans were geniuses. By this point in their civilization, theyve already predicted the end of the world in 2012. He coughed theatrically. But that remains to be seen. Time will tell. As Lawrence neared the top, Chi swooped in close again.
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All at once, they stopped walking. Deep in the dried-out, thirsty jungle, the path before them opened up. A huge water-filled crater in the limestone spanned a hundred feet in front of Lawrence . Around it were the bright, eager eyes of the Mayan people. Hundreds. Theyd stopped chanting. The moment theyd been waiting for was here. The cenote was a limestone pit, mossy and deep and filled with bright-green water. Ix Cuat had been there before--shed seen twelve other human sacrifices just like this one. Below that still water were the decomposing remains of a hundred other bodies, a hundred souls who were supposed to have gone straight to Heaven--only, at that moment, Lawrence knew that Ix Cuat wasnt sure she believed in any of it. Ix Cuats family stood near the rim of the cenote. Her mother, her father, her two younger sisters, both holding babies in their arms. They believed--in the ritual, in the sacrifice that would take
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Honestly, how many times do you have to see the same story line before you realize nothing is ever going to change? Something has changed, Lawrence said. Thats why Im on this journey, thats why Im still alive. If I could just see him again--all of him--I know I could handle it. You dont get it. Chis voice was rising. Youre talking about this whole thing in very mortal terms. As he grew more agitated, spit flew from his lips. This is the big time, and you clearly cannot handle it. Why are you so angry all of a sudden? Because! Because. He paced the ledge, gnashing his teeth. Listen to me: Noah slipped up this once, he showed himself, but he never does that again. Never. He learned his lesson. Now youve learned one, too: Mortal flesh cannot gaze upon an angels true form without dying. Lawrence turned away from him, growing angrier herself. Maybe Noah changed after this lifetime in Chich?n Itz?, maybe hed become
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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I Marked The CEO Mine 45
Every other time one of her past selves had died Lawrence s release from the flames and into the Announcer had been simultaneous. Something was different; something that was making her see things that couldnt possibly be real. Wings on fire. Daniel! she cried out. What looked like Daniels wings soared through waves of flames, catching fire but not smoldering, as if they were made of fire. All she could make out were white wings and violet eyes. Daniel? The fire rolled across the darkness like a giant wave across an ocean. It crashed onto an invisible shore and washed furiously over Lawrence , rushing up her body, over her head, and far behind her. Then, as if someone had pinched out a candle, there was a quick hiss and everything went black. A cold wind crept up behind her. Goose bumps spread across her skin. She hugged her body closer, drawing up her knees and realizing with a jolt of surprise that no grou
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Chi watched Lawrence pick it up. Gotta look ones best in the afterlife. He was sitting atop the head of a startlingly lifelike sculpture of the former pharaoh. Laylas mind told Lawrence that this sculpture represented the pharaohs ka, his soul, and it would watch over the tomb-- the real pharaoh lay mummified behind it. Inside the limestone sarcophagus would be nested wooden coffins; inside the smallest one of them: the embalmed pharaoh. Watch out, Chi said. Lawrence hadnt even realized she was resting her hands on a small wooden chest. That contains the pharaohs entrails. Lawrence jerked away and slid the star shot out from her dress. When she picked it up, its shaft warmed her fingers. Is this really going to work? If you pay attention and do as I say, Chi said. Now, the soul resides directly in the center of your being. To reach it, you must draw the blade precisely down the middle of your ches
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In the darkness before him, a figure slowly filtered into view. First, the wings: undersized and gossamer-thin. Then the body deepened in color just enough for Noah to see a small, pale angel sharing his Announcer. Noah did not know him. The angels features were soft and innocent-looking, like a babys. In the cramped tunnel, his fine blond hair blew across his silver eyes in the wind that Daniels wings sent back each time they pulsed. He looked so young, but of course, he was just as old as any of them. Who are you? Noah asked again. How did you get in here? Are you Scale? Yes. Despite his innocent, infantile appearance, the angels voice was gravel-deep. He reached behind his back for a moment, and Noah thought perhaps he was hiding something there--perhaps one of his kinds trapping devices--but the angel simply turned around to reveal the scar on the back of his neck. The seven-pointed gold insignia of the Scale. Im Scale. His deep v
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All the rage left Chi like air being let out of a balloon. How do you mean? When I die, its not because of anything that Noah does. Its something that happens inside me. Maybe his love brings it out, but--its my fault. That has to be part of the curse, only I have no idea what it means. All I know is, I saw a look in his eyes right before I died--its always the same. He tilted his head. So far. I make him miserable more than I make him happy, she said. If he hasnt given up on me, he should. I cant do this to him anymore. She dropped her head into her hands. Lawrence ? Chi sat on her knee. There was the strange tenderness hed shown when she first met him. Do you want to put this endless charade to rest? For Daniels sake? Lawrence looked up and wiped her eyes. You mean, so he wont have to go through this again? Theres something I can do? When you assume one of your past selfs
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Noah nodded. And when they get here, the rebels will expect me to fight. Lawrence winced. Shed been with Noah twice already when he was gearing up for battle, and both times it had led to something shed never wanted to see again. What should I do while youre-- Im not going into battle, Lu Xin. What? This isnt our war. It never was. We can stay and fight other peoples battles or we can do as we have always done and choose each other over everything else. Do you understand what I mean? Yes, she whispered. Lu Xin did not know the deeper meaning of Des words, but Lawrence was nearly sure that she understood--that Noah loved her, that she loved him, and that they were choosing to be together. They will not let us go easily. The rebels will kill me for deserting. He replaced her helmet on her head. You will have to fight your way out of this, too. What? she whispered. I cant fight. I can
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The wardrobe was jammed with colorful, exotic garments, but one object caught her eye: a large curved helmet. It was heavy, made mostly of thick leather straps stitched together with tight seams. At the front was a smooth bronze plate with an ornate fire-breathing dragon carved into the metal. The dragon was the zodiac animal of the kings birth year. Chi floated toward her. What are you doing with the kings helmet? Lawrence slid the helmet onto her head, tucking her black hair inside it. Then she opened the other side of the wardrobe, thrilled and nervous about what she had found. The same thing Im doing with the kings armor, she said, gathering a heavy tangle of goods into her arms. She donned a pair of wide leather pants, a thick leather tunic, a pair of chain-mail gloves, leather slippers that were certainly too big but that shed have to make work, and a bronze chest guard made of overlapping metal plates. T
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Lawrence probably seemed crazy to Lu Xin, barging in here wearing a singed animal hide and a necklace made out of bone, her hair a wild and tangled snarl. How long had it been since shed looked in a mirror? Had a bath? Plus, she was talking to an invisible gargoyle. But then again, Lu Xin was standing vigil over a dead guy, giving Lawrence dont-mess-with-me eyes, so she seemed a little crazy herself. Oh boy. Lawrence hadnt noticed the jade knife with the turquoise-studded handle, or the small pond of blood in the middle of the marble floor. What do I-- she started to ask Chi. You. Lu Xins voice was surprisingly strong. Help me hide his body. The dead mans hair was white around his temples; he looked about sixty years old, lean and muscular underneath many elaborate robes and embroidered cloaks. I--um, I dont really think-- As soon as they learn the king is
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I wont set foot in there. Noah pointed at the temple. Lilith was close to tears. Then you dont love me. I love you more than I ever thought possible, but it doesnt change a thing. Liliths thin body seemed to swell with rage. Could she sense that there was more to Noah s refusal than merely some wish to deny her? Noah didnt think so. She clenched her fists and let out a long, shrill scream. It seemed to shake the earth. Lilith grabbed Noah s wrists and pinned him against the tree. He didnt even struggle. My grandmother never liked you. Her arms trembled as she held him down. She always said the most terrible things, and I always defended you. Now I see it. In your eyes and your soul. Her eyes bored into him. Say it. Say what? Noah asked, horrified. Youre a bad man. Youre a--I know what you are. It was clear that Lilith didnt know. She was gras
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She did, and it looked different than it had before. The veldt of stars was endless, the dark of night folded again and again over so many bright spots that the sky was more light than black. Its beautiful. Its about to be a tabula rasa. His lips curled into a twisted smile. Ive grown tired of this game. This is all a game to you? Its a game to him. He swept his hand across the sky and left a dark swath of night in his wake. And I refuse to concede it to that Other simply because of a cosmic scale. Simply because our sides are in balance. Balance. You mean, the scale between the fallen angels who allied themselves with you, and those who allied themselves with-- Dont say it. But yes, that other. Right now there is a balance, and-- And one more angel has to side, Lawrence said, remembering the long talk Arriane had given her at the diner in Las Vegas. Mmm-hmm. Except this time, I wont leave it to chance. It was a shortsighted goal of mine, the whole starshot bit, but I
