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She did not open her eyes. Biting her bottom lip, she thought for a moment, then said, "If this is not an appropriate place of magic, then is it not a place of life? I am asking for a life with the man I love. Please let me go to him." |
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She clutched the fossil rock to her chest, squeezing her eyelids together. But the only breeze that touched her was the small one wafting through the trees. |
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Her breathing came in small gasps as she fought not to cry. "Please!" she shouted. |
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She opened her eyes and looked around. Nothing had changed; she was still in the mottled shadows beneath the willow. And beyond was the same near-empty landscape she had seen before. |
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"Please," she sobbed, falling to her knees. "Please." But she knew that she begged in vain. |
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