If you're following this series in order, click here next . For more information on the entire series, read the "'Demon's Due' Defined" journal entry here [link] or the "'Demon's Due' Plus" journal entry here [link] .

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"I... will..." Drea mumbles, her will drifting in the cloud of incomplete thoughts and open-ended convictions. "...will..." Abruptly the opposing ends of the Spear of Retribution seem to bleed together in the center of the shaft, now tied beneath Drea's elbows. A hand on Drea's shoulder guides her to the far side of the altar, and with each step, the young Magistrate feels the cloud of sensation draining from her vision and centering down within herself, deeper inside her chest, beneath her lungs, below her stomach to the base of her abdomen.

And as her head is cleared of the sorcerous aura, Drea begins to see the real world around her again. The darkness of the Undercellar surrounds her, and the cool, damp air is shocking against her bare skin. She realizes that she is mostly naked, and that the enchanted wrappings that previously protected her chest and midsection are now binding her arms to the inert spear.

"A rude awakening," the figure says behind her. "But necessary if we are to see to it that your willed fate is realized..."

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Yeah, if I haven't said it before, from here on out, it's all "mature content."

I've written up a description of the process of quickening for this storyline, and I'll add it to my scraps and link to it in the "'Demon's Due' Defined" journal entry, just in case anyone's interested in a bit of preview of what's ahead. (Note: Explanation is here --> [link] ) Also, if you want to understand what's happening here purely within the context of the story as it has been posted thus far, you should go and check out Annalae's thoughts/memories from Catcall Pages 21-23 [link] . The issue of quickening is also very important to the storyline of Avora--it is a huge part of what brings her to Mitesceru Manor for an ill-fated confrontation with Maladyne in Twisted Plot.

And, just so people can keep things straight on the timeline ( [link] ), we've now transitioned to about 3:35 pm.

Drea's stock model has been revealed as ~Starbear . She has posted some of her stock imagery on her account, including some that will show up in drawings in the near future. If you like what you see here, please drop her a note/comment to tell her so.

As far as publication of this storyline goes, things are moving, and if you want to know how, you should watch the journal updates posted by *collared-by-faile .

Enjoy!