In government headquarters the next morning, NO ONE was pleased that Greg was ‘demanding’ pardon for his ninety-eight people in exchange for cooperation to track down and annihilate whoever was in on challenging the Queen’s Authority.

“Lucy,” Toby began with an anger-suppressed tone, “You DO know you can just use your Authority and make him and his people comply, don’t you?” He tried not to sound condescending, and he didn’t. He just sounded angered. He couldn’t understand why Lucianne wasn’t just taking the shortcut. The Moon Goddess gave her the damn shortcut. It was meant to be used!

Lucianne knew this was coming. She was surprised that whatever Toby said...