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If I "broke bread" with him, if I committed that monstrous act, then I’d be doomed forever His control would last even after he died--

"What’s your na at er than me! Even as I orderedain

Guthrie’s beady eyes had turned a fil eyes I couldn’t seeth in you," he told me "And uniqueness Yet there’s no need for individuality here In our commune, we’re all the same"

"Individuality isn’t bad," I said, but it sounded like a question

He smiled "It’s unnecessary But we’ll take care of that for you, little one When you get hungry, I want you to call for ry "They’ll bring you to ht hand "We have quail, pork, and beef--more food than you’ve seen in days, by the look of you It’s a fine setting, like a ood cheer All you have to do is make the choice to come to me And then choose to eat"

"Choose to eat," I repeated

"Evangeline!" Jack grated "Snap out of this!"

"Out of what?" All I was going to do was call the guards when I got hungry I wasn’t hungry now, though My sto?" Jack demanded, his words panicked

The Hierophant s to like it here" I just knew that I would "Eventually, your friends will too After I’ve dined and rested up, we’ll come back to convert them as well We’re each surrounded by spirits"

He was so sure about this, it s are co to you" With a wink, the Hierophant left

I sank back against the wall, confused as to why I’d been so bent on escaping

Meth-mouth scowled in Tad’s direction "He died? Son of a bitch! I knew he didn’t have long" He snapped his fingers, and one of the guards hefted Tad under his ar him like a suitcase "Hurry before the flesh cools Couard hit Jack with the end of a rifle "It’s impolite to interrupt the boss"

Jack collapsed back, head lolling, as if he saw the ceiling spinning But, to be fair, he shouldn’t have interrupted the Hierophant

Matthew began squirainst his head

I turned to hi our way"

"Water!" he yelled "Water water WATER!"

"Okay, honey I’ll bring you sory first"

With effort, Jack reached his leg over and kicked Matthew’s "Easy, coo-yôn," he said weakly "We need you focused"

To my amazerees, the boy opened his eyes and sat up, cringing at the daot us?"

"About tiazed around the cell "Jesus How long was I out?" he asked, sounding like a conde to like it here

"Couple of hours," Lark said "We’re working on an escape One little glitch: the sole person who could free us from these shackles looks like a contented flower child over there Pun intended"

I waved at thery?

"Her eyes are clouded?" Finn asked

Selena nodded "If he makes her eat, she’ll be like that forever Even if we take hi her fro?

Finn said, "Escapes are ive me a chance to shake off this pain so I can concentrate Da?"

Jack muttered, "It ain’t just you"

Ti as they ought to Finally I felt the first twinge of hunger "Guards," I called with excite to look halfway presentable for a big dinner "Guards!"

Jack was cursing, telling me in French to shut my trap

I pursed my lips "You’re supposed to relax, Jack"

Meth-mouth slunk back to the pantry, his chin bloody for so at his sharp teeth with a pinkie nail

Jack was tensed against his shackles, ht beneath his shirt "You hurt her, and I’ll kill you!" Blood poured frout you!"

Meth-nored him and reached down to release my ankle cuff

I admitted, "I used my claws to break it open Sorry"