I’ll never be as strong as you, or any other Nephil.” I felt my lip quiver in disappointment and shame. I flung an arm in the direction of my chosen tree. And then I blew my nose in it.ĭante stepped back, palms raised. I grabbed the front of Dante’s shirt and used it to wipe my face. My palms were scraped raw, my knees were scuffed, my ankle was sprained, and every muscle in my body cried out in agony. Sweat ran in rivulets down my face, dripping off my nose and chin. “Well, Commander of the Great and Mighty Nephilim Army, any luck?”

He sauntered over, a slight but very obnoxious smile tugging at his mouth. And all the while, Dante had sat perched on his boulder, snorting, laughing, and hollering carping remarks. To say the tree had won was an understatement. I had tried pushing it over, digging it out, kicking it into submission, and futilely beating my fists against it. Other than making it slant slightly, it was a perfect specimen of a thriving tree. ”Īn hour later I had deposited every ounce of energy-and maybe my soul, too-into the uprooting of one very stubborn and unaccommodating white cedar. “This is going to be better than watching the Today show.” “Strength Training 101.” He gave me a slap on the back by way of encouragement, then settled back into a relaxed recline on the boulder. I blinked at the trees, at least a hundred years old and as thick around as three telephone poles, and felt my jaw drop slightly. After you’ve uprooted it, you get to go home.”

Hush hush book 4