I felt my ribs move under my fingers as I tried to breathe. My chest was shattered. Clutching for my sword, I drew it out, wondering if I'd have the strength to wield it.

Cainen had tried to grab onto Malachus, and I watched the last standing son of Cancer struggle valiantly with the Mathmaster. With a swipe of his hand, Malachus lifted Cainen into the air like a rag doll and flung him through plate glass doors at the rear of the room, landing on a balcony. I considered his crumpled body, and decided my strategy.

Using my sword like a cane, I pulled myself up to a standing position slowly. Malachus regarded me quizzically as I lurched towards him. After two steps, I collapsed into a chair next to his desk. I propped my sword up on the desk while he approached me.

When he was close enough to hear my wheezing whisper of a voice, I said, "Yield, Malachus. You'll never defeat us."

He threw his head back with a wild laugh. "Woman, I could kill you with a thought right now. You can barely lift your sword. Who is left to fight me?"

Malachus listened attentively and patiently as I explained. "Cashel has defeated your armies and I have incapacitated your lieutenants. There is no one in the Guild to back you. Gemini has established a blockade at the Strait of Woe that will keep any country from coming to your aid, lest we deprive them of Fluid Karma energy."

"Witch, I told you I'm invincible," he proclaimed when I'd finished, out of breath and words. "I just need to finish you, and I can hold out here in my palace. Something will come up, and victory will be mine. You'll see, if you live that long. This country has been stable and prosperous under my rule. My administration deals fairly and justly."

I chortled even as blood bubbled from my lips. "You can't believe that, Malachus. There's no administration left. You know what you've done, and I know it. The prisons are being liberated as we speak."

Darkness came over the room as a huge black shape descended over the balcony. I had summoned my Vimana. Malachus whirled around and stared at the massive airship, dazed.

"I'll blow this whole place to hell, Malachus." I said. "No holding out, no rescuers."

He turned around, looking sad and tired. "Do it. Come on, just do it." He took of his crown and held it in his hands. "Please. I'm begging you. End us and all of this."

I shook my head. "Malachus, no. We have Vesica. If you surrender, you can see her again, even if you're in prison."

He stared at me. "My daughter is your hostage?"

"She's with her mother, Pisces. She's safe. Just give up." My vision had narrowed; I had only a minute or two to remain conscious.

Malachus tossed his crown onto the tip of my sword, resting on the table. I told him, "Take the chain from my belt and bind yourself."

He complied. With the last of my conscious energy, I called out psychically to Oberon: "My beloved, I need you; I'm at the Palace." Then blackness swallowed me.