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Kane caughtchill I ranits muscles, aain

But ti on the platform when the first train pulled in Hard as it was, I stepped away

"I have to get back to Mab," I said "I need to know she’s all right"

Kane traced one finger along my cheek Desire lit his eyes and reached out to et there?"

"The only way I can think of I’ to shift into a bird"

"Are you sure you’ll know to fly to Deadtown?"

"I think so Thehome in my mind and hope it leads ht?"

He nodded "I’ll hide out in my office for a few days I practically live there, anyway I’ve got a change of clothes, food, coffee" Kane’s staff was all paranor in to work for another day "Once the contain my impersonator back from DC"

We walked outside, our arms around each other On the sidewalk, we kissed Then Kane turned toward Governht of any passing cars, but the streets were quiet Soon, he melted into the shadows, and I couldn’t see him anymore

I walked out Suhten in the east, and so I stood and listened I pulled their song into ined stretching outthe air hold me up, the currents carry o hoy blasted out, and all I kneas that I was flying, soaring over the water, happy it was spring

33

I CAME BACK TO MYSELF ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDING The sun war dreaht was of Mab Had Juliet returned the bloodstone to her? Was she all right? Could I get to her?

I got up and went to the edge of the roof to see where I was Deadtown lay below me It was daytiht, but the curfew seeet out while they could Bundled-up zo in twos and threes, an occasional olf or other paranornized the street below-- I’d e before someone looked up and pointed out the naked woman on the roof

Naked That presented a proble, and I’d prefer not to bulanced around the roof I’d never been up here before If I was lucky, ive their laundry that fresh-air s like that, but I did see a red, blue, and yellow beach uate

Under the colorful u pool On top of the chair was a neatly folded pile of clothes: knee socks, long pants, a long-sleeved turtleneck, gloves, scarf, ski mask, and wide-bri sunshine had obviously , zombiestyle Only in Deadtown

I pulled on the pants and shirt I’d return theet to Mab

I hurried down the stairs to my floor, worried about my aunt Had the bloodstone reached her in time? I had to believe it did But what condition would she be in? Would she still be the Mab I knew? Or had the last several days wrought soe even the bloodstone couldn’t undo?

My heart pounded as I knocked on the door to ed ures sat on the couch, their heads--one gray-haired, one blond--bent over a book

"There," Mab was saying, "there’s the answer you want Reread this section, and pay attention this tiain in ten minutes"