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After creeping around the various hallways for a while, we found a door concealing stairs leading down into a lit area Elyssa descended without hesitation At the bottoauntlet room--a practice area where Arcanes could cut loose without worry of killing anyone or daainst the wall near the stairs I heard quiet sobbing and saw a petite figure lying on the cushions, face buried in a fluffy pink unicorn

It was my sister, Ivy

Chapter 34

I lowereda sad look I paused, not wanting to frighten Ivy, mainly because I wanted to avoid the possibility of a deadly reaction on her part Seeing no other option but to signal our presence, I said, "Ivy," in a hushed tone

She bolted to her feet, showing a blotchy red face and wide tear-stained eyes For a long y coalesced in the palripping"What are you doing here? I’ row da?" I asked

"They took Moher to a better place until Daelissa decided what to do with her"

I directed her back to the couch, and sat beside her Elyssa re as a sentry

"Ivy, I have Mom," I said "We rescued her"

Her blue eyes ide, and a smile broke out on her face "You did?" she said in a loud voice She covered her mouth, face contrite, and lowered her voice "You did? How?"

"I can’t explain everything," I said "But it was a lot of hard work, and very dangerous"

"I don’t like the people Bigdaddy uses," she said, frowning "He says they’re necessary" Her forehead pinched into a confused look "How did you find us? Did you sneak in here to tell me Mom was okay so I wouldn’t worry?" She sewise "You did, didn’t you?" She huggedbrother"

"I love you too, Ivy," I said, feeling my eyes mist "But, that’s only part of the reason I ca into mine "Oh?"

I nodded "One of those daddy" anymore--"his name is Maulin Kassus Do you know him?"

Her eyes narrowed "I don’t know their namomma won’t let me near them, but I have seen a few of thee of Kassus

"Oh, I’ve seen hi "He looks mean and acts like a real poop-head"

"He’s a poop-head all right," I said with an involuntary grin "Even though I rescued Mo to Mom?" she asked

"Sort of," I said "He’s the one who sealed the doors on her prison It’s diamond fiber, so I can’t break in--"

"He blood-sealed her prison," Ivy said, her lips pressing tight together "And you want his blood"

I repressed a shudder, thinking how that trailer would becoer "Yes, but I’ve had a lot of trouble getting it"

Her lips curled back into a snarl "The next tirimace

My little sister could be scary

"The only problerandparents won’t let hed "I sneak out, but it’s harder and harder to do it without the out"

"Why are you down here?" I asked

"I didn’t want the, because Mouess I’m not supposed to be sad that Daelissa locked her away"