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Underborn laughed "Mr Slade, you are practically briar Let us both hope it translates into a winning solution" He handed me a slip of paper with symbols scrawled on it "Give this to Shelton and Smith They’ll knohat to do with it"

"Okay" I aluy who’d put h all the crap in the first place Just to test estion, Mr Slade Your speed and strength will only get you so far It is time for you to explore your arcane abilities Harry Shelton would be suitable to the task of orienting you and placing you in a respected school once you are done with Edenfield High"

"Vampire recruiters aren’t the only probleundy and his pals still have a leash around ainst your classmates Their little old boys club is actually worse than you can iundy, Principal Perkins, Sherriff Skinner, and Police Chief Ah back when Decatur was a sleepy little hamlet in the suburbs of Atlanta They’ve been in power for this long because they’re ruthless However, I would be more than happy to help Would you like--"

"No!" I shouted "I won’t have you undy and his pals I’ll take care of them myself"

Underborn’s eyebrow arched "I wasn’t offering to kill anyone"

"Then ere you offering?"

"Their vulnerable spots Children, wives, addresses With very little effort, you could turn this around Make them--how do you kids say it nowadays? Ah yes, make them your bitches"

"You’re insane" I gave hi to your level" I had to ad the tables on those rednecks

He shrugged "Very well However, once you realize the fight ahead will require a little dirt on your hands, perhaps you’ll see things my way"

"Not likely" But a part of me doubted irlfriend in danger I’d had to ignore ainst their will by the Conroys My deth and sexual super powers, but an infernal rage which could transform me into a mindless killer Was it really only a matter of time before I started down the dark slope Underborn had traveled? Before I decided it was okay to kill someone to protect my own interests? I’d wanted to kill the vathe Maxi else?" Underborn said, rising from his chair

"Remove all the bounties on his father too," Elyssa said, steel in her voice "Wipe the slate clean, or I’ll be sure rin crossed his face "Excellent, bargaining Miss Borathen The reement, the bounties on his father will be rescinded"

I was really happy Elyssa had reotten about it But I didn’t like how happy it made Underborn after she’d threatened him "Aren’t you worried she’ll tell her father?"

"If she does, I’m sure I’ll find out about it However, I doubt he’ll believe the story, and even if he does, Thomas Borathen has little time to worry aboutInternal strife and turether The Red Syndicate fighting Maxi with the Arcane Council on the other after one of their schools was attacked by vampires The spawn and Templars are at each other’s throats due to Thunder Rock, and even the spawn have internal conflicts thanks to your dear father Daevadius Slade and his rejection of Kassallandra Assad"

"Things are that bad?" Elyssa said, her eyes filled with shock

"Indeed, Miss Borathen Whoever is pulling the strings is masterful" He seemedhe’d be more than happy to be on the other side

What surprisedhe told me was how little I cared So what if vampires and assassins and evenissues? The world would be better off without theot issues" I took Elyssa’s hand and headed for the door

"Remember, Mr Slade, your decisionsas you don’t flunk lish class, I don’t really care"

He stood and walked to the door, opened it "Safe travels, Miss Borathen, Mr Slade" With his other hand he held out the red folder he’d brought to the table "Read this in your spare ti"

I stared at it for ais it?"

He chuckled "Of course not"

I took it, shaking lish teacher That’s just wrong, man"

"I’ll hold on to it," Elyssa said, and slipped it under her arm

Phissilinth appeared from nowhere "Shall I see them away, sir?"

"Please do," Underborn said

Phissilinth nodded "Very good, sir"

I glared at the small man "Hey, that’s not code for ’kill them’ is it?"