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"Of course!" he shouted "What’s one life judged against thousands? We knew the odds co into this We’d have sacrificed all our lives if we had to I feel Larten’s loss asbefore he was yours But he died honourably, and gave his life for a cause that was just If his spirits looking down on us, he’ll be willing us to celebrate his great victory, not bemoan his?"
"You remember our first run-in with the Vampaneze Lord?" I interrupted "You recall how he masqueraded as a servant, so we paid no notice to hi him to escape?"
Vancha nodded warily "Aye What of it?"
"They tricked us then, Vancha," I said, "and they’ve done it again We’ve won nothing Mr Crepsley died in vain"
Vancha and Harkat gawped at asped eventually
"The cloaked half-vahed "He wasn’t the salade Steve toldpresent"
"No!" Vancha wheezed, his face ashen "He lied! That was their Lord The look of despair on their faces e killed hienuine," I said "Most of the vampaneze and vampets in the cavern believed he was their Lord They were tricked just like ere Only Gannen Harst and a handful of others knew the truth"
"Then we’re back where ere at the start?" Vancha moaned "He’s alive? We’ve no idea what he looks like? No way of knohere he’ll turn next?"
"Not exactly," I said with a crooked half-smile "There are only two hunters left now That azed down into the pit again I didn’t want to tell the so hot on the heels of Mr Crepsley’s death and news of the Vampaneze Lord’s escape I’d have spared them this extra blow if I could
But they had to be warned In case so happened to me, they had to be told, so they could spread the word and carry on without me if necessary
"I knoho he is," I whispered e secret Harst didn’t want him to, but he did it anyway, to hurt me that little bit h"
"He told you who the - Vaasped
I nodded
"Who?" Vancha shouted, leaping to his feet "Which one of those scum sends others to do his dirty work for him? Tell me and I’ll?"
"It’s Steve," I said, and Vancha’s strength deserted hiazed at ain, feeling e I’d never feel any different until - unless - he was killed, even if I lived to be a thousand Wettingon the flames, I said the whole terrible truth out loud "Steve Leopard is the Lord of the Va and despair
TO BE CONTINUED