Chapter 8

Callista had played her final gambit. She and Mara had decided Tenel Ka was to be the last move, the grand finale. She wasn't sure if it had worked. If it hadn't, she didn't how to proceed. She thought she'd seen Jacen's confidence waiver, thought he had begun to question his path, but she feared it wasn't enough.

Callista couldn't discuss it with Mara, because Mara had not appeared for some time. She worried that Mara's connection to the world was too tenuous at this point for any communication. Worse, Callista had the sinking feeling that time was about to run out.

Callista jumped as she suddenly realized there was someone standing beside her. Tahiri, of course. As usual, Callista had not heard her enter. Callista relaxed—until she saw what Tahiri had in her hand. A tiny metal syringe, small enough to be concealed in her palm. For the first time Tahiri's eyes were not empty, her face not emotionless. Tahiri looked pained, but underlying the pain was an unquestionable resolve. She stuck the needle in Callista's side before she could react. The effects were immediate, a burning sensation radiated from the point of contact throughout Callista's body, followed shortly by numbness.

Seeing the emotion in the young girl's face made Callista realize that perhaps Tahiri was not as far gone as she had assumed. When she spoke, Tahiri's voice sounded distant. "Forgive me."

Is she speaking to me? Callista wondered faintly. Or someone else? Someone much farther away?

With an effort, Callista shifted her gaze away from Tahiri as she heard Jacen run in through the doorway.

"Tahiri, what have you done?" Jacen rushed forward and pushed Tahiri away from Callista.

"I was just following the protocol," Tahiri replied, her voice as impassive as ever.

Callista's head began to get fuzzy from the poison. Most of her body was numb now yet she felt oddly peaceful. Have we done enough? she wondered idly. They had done all they could; that would have to be enough.

Her eyelids grew heavy and fluttered closed as Jacen lifted her up into his arms. She fought the final unconsciousness as long as she could, focusing on Luke. And his precious son Ben.

And their enduringly beautiful blue eyes.