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and taxi drivers. I don t think he minded so much about the stalk uh, tailing I d been
doing. But keeping my knowledge of Asha from him had been a mistake he wouldn t
instantly forgive. Plus, I think he was still reeling from the idea that if he met his sons now,
they d all die.
And on my end, I felt like he d cheated on me by taking Zarsa s blood. Not that we d had
the exclusive talk yet. And if we did, shouldn t it be about who we dated, not whose veins
he drained? See, it was still just too confusing for me to relax into another kiss.
So when he said he had to turn in, he didn t give me the walk-me-to-the-tent look I d have
anticipated pre-Soheil. For my part, I barely glanced up from the card game Dave s team
had begun. Cam had snagged a box of poker chips from the Hotel Sraosa before they d
left. Apparently the big spenders spent a lot of time in the meeting room playing no-limit
Hold Em. Anyway, he was teaching me how the pros shuffle their chips while they decide
what to bet. I couldn t do it without making a huge mess, but Cam kept encouraging me.
He made it look easy too. Halve the stack, lift, combine, and blend. Oh man, I loved the
sound too. Yeah, I was hooked. When I couldn t keep my eyes open anymore, he let me
take a handful of ones to practice with. Gotta love that guy.
Raoul, on the other hand. Not so cuddly. In fact, I thought he resembled a pissed-off
timber wolf as he towered over me, his crew-cut practically shooting sparks as he said,
You asked for this meeting. You would not believe what I had to do to be here. You
know he put a fist on his hip and ran the other across his head in a gesture so much
like my dad s I had to stifle a laugh I don t just sit around waiting for you to call! I am
trying to find out what the Magistrate wants with you. You do remember him, don t you?
Tall, blond demonic type? Likes to tear the skin off people with his whip?
Yeah, Raoul, your description rings a bell. Okay, Jaz, drop the sarcasm. Right. Now. As
far as you know, this guy is the only one who can save David. For once in your life, do
not piss off your last chance. Even if he did foul up Dave s transition and let the Wizard .
. . No, you re not even sure of that. Quit judging, keep an open mind, and don t screw
this up. I sighed. I m really sorry. It s . . . this mission is just insane. Things keep
happening and I honestly couldn t fall asleep when I wanted to. I tried. I really did.
Raoul s expression softened. Let s go somewhere else to talk, he said. Your bathroom
makes me feel as if I m buried alive.
Gee, thanks. Now I m going to have that lovely image playing in my head every time I
have to pee. But I didn t say a word. Just followed Raoul out the door and into my living
room.
He didn t complain about its size, but he should ve. It wasn t even cozy. I just . . . I don t
really know how to make a place seem like home. We moved so much when I was a kid,
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and now I spend so much time in rented rooms. I guess I feel more comfortable in a hotel
atmosphere.
The white walls were bare. The brown suede couch and chairs matched; they just didn t
look like anyone had sat in them in the past five years. I use an ottoman for a coffee table.
It was empty. The only redeeming feature of the whole room was the fancy maple rack
behind the couch that held my prized possession. In her will, Granny May had specifically
stated that I should receive her Amish quilt, a gorgeous black, red, and green creation that
played on your eye like a classic piece of art. Someday I d display it that way. But only
when I d found someplace permanent.
Raoul settled on the couch. I sat beside him. Have you thought about what I said
before? I asked. Give it to me straight. Does Dave have any chance at all? I mean, I
can t let the Wizard control him much longer. When we pull the plug, so to speak, what
will happen?
Raoul sat forward, his hands clasped between his legs. He may have a chance. But before
you start the party, let me explain. Deep lines appeared between his brows. No. Let me
apologize. He met my eyes squarely, because that was how he d been trained to face
things. I am forced to follow certain rules that strictly govern how much I may he
grimaced interfere. Which is why I could not warn you. Couldn t immediately send
you to his aide. Even now I must be careful what to say.
I stifled the urge to shake him. To get in his face and yell, This is my brother we re
talking about! Tell me everything you know, dammit!
Raoul went on. When a person is murdered at the order of a necromancer, great powers
are stirred in order to strap the soul into the body and bind it into service. One with the
strength of your brother cannot be completely restrained. A part of him, almost what you
would call a shadow, escaped. That was what came to me. Ever since then I have been
trying to find a way to free him.
Okay, so Dave was the second kind of zombie. The kind necromancers rarely messed
with. The kind Hilda the expert had died trying to find out more about.
But . . . this assignment. I thought it was engineered by the Wizard.
Raoul nodded. And yet, even seeds need nourishment to grow. So if I made a few
suggestions as he dreamed . . . He shrugged. You re here. And yet we still walk a thin
line. David s soul is incredibly vulnerable. Freeing it could be the worst possible scenario.
Because we believe
Wait a minute. We? Who s we? Does that include Asha Vasta? I mean, is he part of the
we? Because if he was, maybe he could help Dave if I crapped out on Raoul.
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