A fire ignited in her eyes and her body went rigid as Plagueis began to trickle lightning into her. Her limbs trembled and her blood began to boil. Her hands grew hot and were close to being set aflame when he finally felt the light go out of her and she crumpled in his grasp. Askance, he saw one of the Iktotchi’s Twi’lek disciples racing toward him, and he abruptly let go of her hands and stepped away from her spasming body.

“What happened?” the Twi’lek demanded as other disciples were rushing to the Iktotchi’s aid. “What did you do to her?”

Plagueis made a calming gesture. “I did nothing,” he said in a deep monotone. “She fainted.”

The Twi’lek blinked and turned to his comrades. “He did nothing. She fainted.”

“She’s not breathing!” one of them said.

“Help her,” Plagueis said in the same monotone.

“Help her,” the Twi’lek said. “Help her!”

- Chapter 8