"Sydlynhamitra," she said in a voice echoing through the hallway, "I, Phatshepeset, Lady of the Eighth Plane, challenge you for status."

Nice name. But I wasn't contemplating what she was called or what her ranking was. For once I did as I was told and acted.

Acting I could actually handle. The second she stopped speaking my power was on the move, lashing at her legs in slicing blades of amber fire. It should have worked. I had the jump on her, the shields surrounding ...