“The craft passed directly below Scathach and she released her grip and dropped onto the top of the vimana alongside Joan with enough force to send the larger craft plunging down. The French immortal laughed. "So nice of you-""Don't you dare crack any dropping-in jokes," Scathach warned before her friend could finish.The vimana dipped and spun, but the two women had firm grips on the transparent dome and held on while the pilot tilted the craft,attempting to shake them off."So long as he doesn't get too close to the lava," Scatty said, "we should be okay."At that moment the vimana dropped straight down, zooming dangerously close to the lava's sluggish bubbling surface."I think he heard you," Joan said, coughing as the air became almost unbreathable.”

“The only consolation we have is that few of those will have active weapons either," Prometheus told them.Palamedes looked over at Scathach. "When you say 'few...,'" she began."Some will be armed," Prometheus clarified."Incoming!" Saint-Germain yelled. "Two of them have launched missiles.""Sit down and strap yourselves in," Prometheus commanded. The group scrambled to get into the seats behind him, and he added, "We're too slow to outrun them, and the smaller ones are infinitely more maneuverable.""Is there good news?" Scathach demanded."I am the finest flier in Danu Talis," The Elder said.Scathach smiled. "If anyone else said that I would think they were boasting. But not you,Uncle."Prometheus glanced quickly at the Warrior. "How many times do I have to tell you-I'm not your uncle.""Not yet,anyway," she muttered under her breath."Everyone strapped in?" Prometheus asked. Without waiting for an answer, he brought the triangular vimana straight up into the air, then flipped it back, so that the ground was directly overhead and the sky below them, before he leveled it off and the earth and sky resumed their normal positions."I'm going to throw up," Scatty muttered.”

“He's never fired a gun in his life," Palamedes said. "He abhors weapons."As Palamedes spoke,the group could see Shakespeare put the tonbogiri to his shoulder,then jerk three times.Two of the attacking vimanas spun out of control,both of them crashing into two more. The flour flaming craft spiraled into the sea."But then he's always been full of surprises," Palamedes added.”

“She's in the Catskill," Shopie began, but Scathach reached over and pinched her hand. "Ouch!"I just wanted to distract you," Scathach explained. "Don't even think about Black Annis. There are some names that should never be spoken aloud."That like saying don't think of elephants, Josh said, "and then all you can think about is elephants."Then let me give you something else to think about," Scathach said softly. "There are two police officers in the window staring at us. Don't look," she added urgently.Too late. Josh turned to look and whatever crossed his face--shock, horror, guilt or fear--bought both officers racing into the cafe, one pulling his automatic from its holster, the other speaking urgently into his radio as he drew his baton.”

“What are you storing up there?" Virginia Dare yelled from the stairwell below. The immortal was outlined with a translucent green aura that lifted her fine black hair off her back and shoulders like a cloak."Just a few small alchemical experiments...," Dee began.A thunderous explosion dropped the trio to their knees. Bits of plaster rained down from the ceiling and a heavy smell of sewage filled the stairwell."And one or two big ones," he added."We need to get out of here.The entire building is going to collapse," Dare said. She turned and continued down the stairs, Dee and Josh close on her heels. Josh breathed deeply. "Am I smelling burning bread?" he asked, surprised.Dare glanced back up at Dee. "I don't even want to know what that smell is coming from.""No,you don't," the doctor agreed.When they reachd the bottom of the stairs,Virginia flung herself against the double doors but bounced off them. They were padlocked, a thick chain woven through their handles. "I'm sure that breaches a fire code," Dee murmured.”

“Why do you want to do this?" he asked curiously. "Why is this woman so important to you?"Saint-Germain blinked in surprise. "Have you ever loved anyone?" he asked."Yes," Tamnuz said cautiously, "I had a consort once, Inanna...""But did you love her? Truly love her?"The Green Man remained silent."Did she mean more to you than life itself?" Saint-Germain persisted."They do not love that do not show their love," Shakespeare murmured very softly.The French immortal stepped closer to the Elder. "I love my Jeanne," he said simply. "I must go to her.""Even though it will cost you everything?" Tamnuz persisted, as if the idea was incomprehensible."Yes. Without Joan, everything I have is worthless.""Even your immortality?""Especially my immortality." Gone were the banter and the jokes. This was a Saint-Germain whom neither Shakespeare nor Palamedes had ever seen before. "I love her," he said,”

“The small group hugged one another quickly. Although nothing was said, they knew this could be the last time they ever saw one another again.Saint-Germain kissed Joan before they parted. “I love you,” he said softly.She nodded, slate-grey eyes shimmering behind tears.“When all this is over, I suggest we go on a second honeymoon,” he said. “I’d like that.” Joan smiled. “Hawaii is always nice at this time of year. And you do know I love it there.”Saint-Germain shook his head. “We’re not going anywhere that has a volcano.”“I love you,” she whispered, and turned away before they could see each other cry.”