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"I’ll be ready, Justin"

But as I sped through the paths, I realized that I no longer heard the sounds of pursuit Even so, I didn’t slow I regarded every bush and tree along the path with suspicion as I ran, but none came alive

I reached thethe surroundings with

Shelton jerked "Huh? What the--why a at someone’s blue-tinted rear end?"

I felt a flush of eed to stay on even in their torn state, but I vaguely re to rip theed to stay on his feet

"Oh, hed "I feel like I passed out and hit my head on a toilet"

"We’re home now"

He made a pained noise "Dad"

I didn’t knohat to say, so I opened the door and went inside He followed after a long athered my willpower, and forcedas it did When I was back to norhed I really needed to switch to yoga pants or so normal clothes if this kept up And I wasn’t about to strip naked just to change

Bella aiting on us, I remembered, so I walked down the hallith Shelton into the room she’d mentioned The petite dhampyr leapt from behind a divan ninja-style, staff at the ready Then she saas us, and motioned us over "Watch out in theat a rune carved in the stone floor

"We’re not being followed," I said, hoping I was right "I think they gave up"

She sighed "Thank goodness"

Shelton walked across the rooet was the divan she’d been hiding behind, and dropped into the seat

"Harry, are you okay?" she said

"Peachy," he replied in his tradeuy act when sohed "Not in front of other people, okay?"

"What a lovely home you have here," said a familiar cockney voice "I do believe it needs a bit of polish, though"

I looked up at the Flark and shook my head in disbelief "Ho the hell are you alive?"

"You son of a bitch!" Shelton roared He pulled out his wand, and flicked it His face screwed up with pain, and he cried out, holding his head

"Overdid it a bit, did we?" Bigglesworth said, leering "What a bloody shaot to enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet earlier, I suppose this little morsel"--he winked at Bella--"will do just fine"

Bella pushed Shelton into a couch against the wall, and walked straight toward the Flark "Go ahead and try, you big hunk of snot"

"No, Bella!" I said

But it was too late The Flark grinned, and slithered toward her with blinding speed, its ar for her Inches frolesworth’s eyes suddenly ide He froze, and a horrific screech tore at my ears

"What is this?" he screa desperately to spring away, but his rubbery flesh slowed, stiffening, and hardening from the feet up His mouth stretched inhu abruptness, his shriek cut off

Bella looked the creature up and down She nodded "I hoped this would work"