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AS THE ground rushed up to ether, hunched my upper body, spreadbones absorbed the shock without breaking, although the force of the contact sentforward and I almost impaledway to die)

There was a sharp yell of pain to my left, and as I bounced on to ht ankle, unable to stand Ignoring ht up my sword defensively and looked for Vancha and Harkat

Our leap through thehad taken the police and soldiers by surprise They were falling over one another and getting in each other’s way,it irabbed a young soldier in thehi quickly in circles so nobody had time to shoot hihts on the big cheese As I watched, he charged through several officers and soldiers, leapt over a car, and brought Chief Inspector Alice Burgess crashing to the ground with a perfectly timed tackle

While all human eyes fixed on Vancha and the Chief Inspector, I hurried to Mr Crepsley’s side and helped hiritted in pain and I could tell instantly that his ankle wouldn’t support hi him behind a car for cover before someone snapped to his senses and took a shot at us

"I do not think so," he gasped, "but the pain is intense" He collapsed behind the car and rubbed the flesh around his ankle, trying to e out the pain

Across the way, Vancha was on his feet, Alice Burgess’ throat clutched in one hand, her aphone at the police and soldiers "If you shoot, your Chief dies!"

Above us, the blades of the helicopter hury bees Otherwise - total silence

Burgess broke it "Forget about me!" she roared "Take these creeps out now!"

Several htened his fingers around the police chief’s throat Her eyes bulged worryingly The htly Vancha loosened his grip, but didn’t let go co the white-haired woman in front of hi with his huot back to back, then slowly crossed to where Mr Crepsley and I were sheltering They resee and clumsy crab as they moved, but it worked Nobody fired

"How bad is it?" Vancha asked, crouching beside us, dragging Burgess doith him Harkat did likeith his soldier

"Bad," Mr Crepsley said soberly, locking gazes with Vancha

"You can’t flit?" Vancha asked softly

"Not like this"

They stared at each other silently

"Then we’ll have to leave you behind," Vancha said

"Aye" Mr Crepsley s with him," I said instantly

"This is no ti - end of story"

I shookpractical You can’t flit with bothto work up the speed We’d be shot dead before we got to the end of the street"

Vancha opened his u too," Harkat said

Vancha groaned "We don’t have time for this rubbish!"

"It’s not rubbish," Harkat said calo Where he stays, I stay Besides, you’ll stand a better chance - without ure that?" Vancha asked

Harkat pointed at Alice Burgess, still gasping frorip "Alone, you can carry her and use her as a - shield until you flit"