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They walked out to Eric’s jeep The night air was very cold and there was no moon

Thea kept her hand on Eric’s back, ready to press if he hesitated But he never did

At the door of the jeep, Thea looked at Blaise She was afraid to show any expression Could Aradia see the

Aradia said, "Is there afrom the shop onto this street?"

Thea looked at Blaise Blaise said, "No"

"Then you can say good-bye After this you’re going to have to pretend not to know each other"

Thea stared at her, then felt a wild choked giggle well up "Now I knohy you’re Maiden," she said, in a bare whisper "But-does anyone else realize?"

"l don’t think so Some may wonder, but I think they’ll keep their ed Blaise, couldn’t o "Thank you Oh, Eileithyia, Blaise, I’ll miss you"

"Now I’m the last of the Har voice "I’ll have a bedroom to oing to get Sheena good"

"Who?"

"That’s right, you didn’t hear She was the one who turned us in She’s one of Tobias’s little girlfriends, Circle Midnight It seeh that she understood ere doing forbidden spells, and she told Gran"

"It doesn’tsent to the Convent I’ as Blaise tossed her head

Then she tightened her grip on Thea "I don’t knohy you want to be with a hu it now that you have it"

"Blaise, when you get back-please don’t hurt them anyhed noncommittally; Thea could feel it But all she said, almost too softly for Thea to hear, was, "I’ll o

When she was in the jeep, Aradia leaned into the open door

"Two things," she said rapidly "And they’re all the help I can give you Mother Cybele mentioned Circle Daybreak I’ve heard ru it up again

Witches ant to forget the Burning Tiht World law I don’t know if it’s true But if it is, maybe you can find it"

Thea’s breath was taken away The possibility leaped inside her like so," Aradia said, with a rare srin "Word is that so peculiar I’ve even heard that they’re talking about finding huht try and contact them and see what the story is"

Thea’s breath came back, and with it, tears "Oh, Aradia Thank you"

"Good luck, Thea And Eric Both of you, wherever you go"

Eric, who had been sitting quietly behind the wheel, reached out to touch her hand lightly "And you, too" Thea could tell by his voice that he was puzzled and dazed, but he was trying not to show it

Then they drove away Thea turned around to watch Blaise getting smaller and smaller A little wind blew Blaise’s hair, and she looked like a dark and oddess who always did what you least expected

Eric drove fast until they were a good distance from the shop, then pulled to the curb on a tiny residential street He looked at Thea and said cautiously, "A anything Or is it going to kick in any minute now?"

Thea kissed hih hysterically