Free New Olympus Saga (Book 3): Apocalypse Dance by C.J. Carella Page A

for time. You’ll be a lot stronger by tomorrow.>
    “What do you have to say for yourself, Miss Dark?” the Tsar asked, clearly growing impatient.
    “I need some time to think about it, okay? For one, how do I know that the second you have access to the Source you won’t just kill me?”
    “I give you my word. Oh, I will strip you of most of your powers, although in recognition for your sacrifice I will let you keep your longevity and most of your relatively paltry but still superhuman physical attributes. I will even return you to your reality, should you wish so. There you can live out your days in peace, and enjoy the privileges of your nature in a world where you will be unique. I will also spare your friend; he can join you in exile once I diminish his power. The two of you could easily become the rulers of your planet.”
     Christine commented dryly.
    
    
    She spoke before Bucket-Head got antsy. “Can I sleep on it?”
    “Of course. Daedalus Smith will arrive sometime after noon tomorrow. At that point the process of reducing your will to resist us shall commence in earnest. You have until then to decide.”
     Christine reported a moment later.
     I didn’t mention I’d been in that situation for almost two days already. It was painful, uncomfortable and humiliating, but she’d handle it.
    
    
    
     That wasn’t all, though.
    
     I was about to describe the entire Table of Organization and Equipment of the Dominion Army when she shushed me.
     Christine had told me about her vision, about being told by her alternative self that she would get to watch me die. She clearly wasn’t going to let that happen.
     I got back a mental nod from her, a very emphatic one.
    I would just have to pull my weight or get killed quickly along the way. I figured I could manage at least one of the two.

The Freedom Legion
     
    Kiev, Dominion of the Ukraine, March 28, 2013
    After surviving the grueling selection process, where half of the participants had died or suffered crippling injuries, as often as not inflicted by their fellow candidates, he and the rest of the winners had undergone four years of intense training.