Onolyn leaned against Erling,sobbing. He stroked her hair. “Rise above your emotions. This isn’tthe time to grieve—later you can sort things out. Hendora has leftthis world, but she’s still alive in the Inner Worlds.”
Onolyn moved away from him andwiped the tears off her face with her hands. “What do you want meto do?”
“Focus inwardly and send Zacunconditional love.” Erling closed his eyes and focused on Zac.Together Erling and Onolyn became channels for divine love, whichflowed through them to Zac. The negative power entrapping Zac beganto break up.
Erling visualized using a hammerto break through the last of the negative power that bound Zac in theinner prison Seetva had created. The last of the dark energydispersed and Zac was free, but his Light Body was dull. Erlingimagined sending golden light to him and gradually Zac’s Light Bodybegan to glow. “Thankyou,”Zac said telepathically. “Icouldn’t escape Seetva on my own.”
In his physical body, Zacgroaned, then sat up. “What happened? I feel so strange. How did Iget here?” He looked around the room, puzzled, then his eyes lit onHendora. Then his eyes widened in horror and he turned ashen, hisface distorted with pain. “God forgive me! I did this. I killedher.” He cupped his face in his hands and rocked back and forth inagony. “Hendora, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Zac, don’t blame yourself,”Onolyn said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “It’s as much myfault as yours. I sensed that Seetva had gained some control over youin the swamp and shouldn’t have left you alone.”
Erling drew in a sharp breath,feeling the whisper of Death across his Soul. “Seetva’sapproaching! Let’s get out of here!” He handed Zac hiscommunicator. “I marked my ship’s location on my communicator.Use it to find the ship if we get separated. It’s across the borderin Bhusong.” He glanced at Onolyn. “Both of you, grab a blaster.”
Zac gathered Hendora in his armsand started to rise. Erling shook his head. “Put her down.”
“She deserves a hero’sburial,” Zac said, his voice unsteady and broken.
“We might have to fight our wayout of here. We have to get Onolyn safely to the ship.”
Zac looked at Onolyn, who waspale and trembling with tears streaming down her face. Zac gently setHendora down, then touched his thumb to the center of his foreheadwhere his Spiritual Eye was located, and then touched hers in thesame place. “Go with God. We’ll meet again.” He grabbed up hisBlackhawk blaster and stood. “I’m ready.”
Erling drew his laser gun and ledZac and Onolyn from the room.
They ran down the hallways. Whenthey reached the entrance, they found Seetva blocking their way. Shesmiled menacingly. “Did you think you could escape me so easily?”
Zac blanched and went rigid withterror. “Seetva!”
“Run!” Erling yelled. “I’llhold her off.”
“No! We won’t leave you!”Onolyn cried.
Erling glanced at Zac. “GetOnolyn to TheBlue Ladyand take off without me if I’m not there shortly! I can defendmyself, but not both of you. Go, now!”
Zac stared at Erling a moment,clearly torn. “God be with you.” He clasped Onolyn’s hand.“Come on, let’s go.”
Onolyn stared at Erling a moment,her concern for him shone in her eyes, then she and Zac tore out thedoor. Relieved that Onolyn and Zac were escaping, he turned to Seetvaand had the sickening feeling that he might not be so fortunate.Seetva didn’t look anything like the terrifying woman he’d seenin the lower regions of the Inner Worlds. Her white skin was smoothand flawless, her features small and delicate with a fine facialstructure and high cheekbones. She wore her hair loose and flowingand was dressed in a dark-colored gown that showed off herwell-proportioned figure. But her lovely appearance didn’t hide thedeadly vibrations radiating from her.
She began to laugh, an alluringsound, and he felt strangely drawn toward her. “I don’t wantthem.I want you, Erling. I want your Soul. I just used them to get you tocome to me.”
“Why?”
“Through you, I can controlJaipar.”
Trepidation filled him, creepingover him and wrapping around him like a vine. His breathing becameshallow and he couldn’t get enough air. He wanted to flee from her,and yet the pull to stay was so strong.
“Come to me,” Seetva said ina honey-laced voice.
“No.” Erling shook his head,trying to fight the spell creeping into his mind and emotions. Hiswill and thoughts didn’t seem to be his own; he felt her powerentrapping him and was powerless to stop her.
“Come to me.”
Erling took a step forward. Shewas so lush and desirable, so compelling and beautiful. He tookanother step forward, then shook his head again, trying to clear it.What was happening? He didn’t really want her.
She began to sing in a strangebewitching tongue and to dance provocatively, seducing him with hersexuality. The song and dance drew him to her. She touched his face,leaned forward and pressed her sweet, enticing lips to his.
He wasn’t able to resist andhis hunger for her rose stronger and stronger. He had to have her.The consequences no longer mattered, nothing mattered but taking her.Succumbing to his inward battle, he returned her kiss, drinking fromher seductive, poisonous well. Her kisses were like sweet nectar andhe felt drugged. Everything seemed strange and distorted: dreamlike.His actions didn’t seem to be his own.
Her skin was velvety-soft and herlips were sensuously inviting. His body ached for her. Her hands onhis back burned like fire. Everything took on an inky, unreal qualityas if he was seeing everything through a veil. He felt as if he wassinking deeper and deeper. Nothing else existed but this woman whowas the very essence of womanhood. He kissed her almost feverishlynow, bruising his lips on hers, drinking deeply of her power. Hislust rose, taking control of his physical body and reducing him tothe level of an animal.
Deep inside him, a battle ragedas he fought her spell. Inwardly, he heard the uplifting sound ofbells. Part of him wanted to ignore the inner music, but it grewlouder until it vibrated throughout his whole
