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I couldn’t bear to talk to anybody that night I sat by h up in the football stadiu about Annie and her child, Mum and Dad, all that I’d lost and ry with Mr Crepsley for bloodingwhat life would be like if he’d left e the past

But there was no point tor to alter it, and wasn’t even sure I would if I could - if I hadn’t been blooded, I wouldn’t have been able to tip the vaht have fallen

If I’d returned hoer er But I was an adult now, in all but looks A Vampire Prince I’d learnt to deal with heartache That wasn’t an easy night Tears flowed freely But by the time I drifted off to sleep a few hours before dawn, I’d resigned myself to the situation, and knew there would be no fresh tears in the

I was stiff with the cold when I awoke, but worked it off by jogging down the tiers of the stadiu for the tent I shared with Harkat, I spotted Mr Tall He was standing by an open fire, roasting sausages on a spit He beckoned es to me, then speared a fresh batch and stuck the the piping-hot sausages

"I knew you would be hungry," he replied He looked at me steadily "You have been to see your sister"

"Yes" It didn’t surprise htful old owl

"Did she see you?" Mr Tall asked

"She saw ood look"

"You behaved correctly" He turned the sausages over and spoke softly "You are about to ask me if I will help protect your sister You fear for her safety"

"Harkat thinks so to happen," I said "He’s not sure what, but if Steve Leopard’s part of it, he ht use Annie to hurt me"

"He won’t," Mr Tall said I was surprised by his directness - nor about the future "As long as you stay out of her life, your sister will be under no direct threat"

"What aboutin direct threat?" I asked warily

Mr Tall chuckled "We are all under indirect threat, one way or another Harkat is correct - this is a time and place of destiny I can say no more about it, except leave your sister alone She is safe that way"

"OK," I sighed I wasn’t happy about leaving Annie to fend for herself, but I trusted Hibernius Tall

"You should sleep some more now," Mr Tall said "You are tired"

That sounded like a good plan I scoffed another sausage, turned to leave, then stopped "Hibernius," I said without facing hi to happen, but before we came here, you said I didn’t have to come It would have been better if I’d stayed aouldn’t it?"

There was a long silence I didn’t think he was going to respond But then, softly, he said, "Yes"

"What if I left now?"

"It is too late," Mr Tall said "Your decision to return set a train of events in motion That train cannot be derailed If you left now, it would only serve the purpose of the forces you oppose"