§ I will agree, in half a heartbeat, that the relationship between myself and Diurhimath is distorted. Diur has lived so long that his otherwise non-mortal body is trying to break down and he must use special measures to keep it functioning. I haven’t really thought about it, but I suspect others with similar years, like Oberon and Morrígan, must …

§ For a long moment, I simply stood there with the rest gaping at me, until Shindzha exclaimed, “Mistress!” I let slight dimples show up on my illusory cheeks. The [Blood Presence] projection provides enough feedback to allow me to control my facial expression and speech, even though I can’t feel the weight on my feet and most other body …

§ As Sirth’s memories drifted across to me, keeping me up to date on Shindzha, I stroked the snoozing Syl’s hair. She’d nodded off on my arm after I fed on her, and I needed to move her head soon so she could rest in a healthier position, but I didn’t feel like doing it just yet. She appeared to …

§ Consistent ain’t a thing pixies should be, right? And yet, the little bug shot straight for Shindzha’s cleavage, just like always. When she was havin’ memory problems, Tiana spent time partially mixin’ her thoughts with our ‘little sister’. It taught us some about how a pixie thinks, or at least how this pixie that used to be an Elder …

§ Yeah, yeah, I know. I shouldn’ta done that. But when a cutie is flirtin’ so cutely, it’s hard t’ say no. Fan Li concocted this image for me in the prime o’ my life, not as the old mum I came to be at the end, livin’ my last moments slowly wastin’ away. She did the same for everyone. …

§ I alighted upon a promontory overlooking the Oseri countryside and let Shindzha down onto her feet while dispelling my wings. [Vampire Cloak] was in full force, of course. I didn’t want any monitoring demons in the area to notice my presence. I could always just dismiss the [Blood Effigy] and escape, of course, but it would be inconvenient if …

This is an author’s note, not a chapter, so it isn’t locked. ‘DC’ is the Roman numeral for 600. The real Chapter 600 will post this coming Saturday. As always, thanks to all my readers for sticking with me this far. So this is the part where I make predictions regarding completion of this tale. They are never accurate, but …

§ After telling Lucy to close the connection, I looked up at Genette, still standing by. “Do you have any questions?” My unflappable Lady’s Maid merely stated, “I have always known that Your Grace is extraordinary, so I only have one.” I smiled and asked, “What is it?” “Are you in fact your own great-grandmother, Your Grace? Her Grace the …

§ I asked Bruna to set up this conference in the first place in order to tell them exactly what Astaroth gained from the formation. Before I learned that people were somehow reappearing in Oseri, I sent this group with what I thought would be sufficient information, so I didn’t need to bring in spiritual concepts unfamiliar to Huade’s present-day …

§ I only had a moment to open my eyes and smile reassurance to my worried servants before Lucy caused a maid panic by flying into my dressing room and announcing, “Amana call!” After apologizing to the dressmaker, I told everyone to clear out, then directed Genette to fetch the spirit stone. Lucy’s mini-pixie projection can only talk for herself. …