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"You should be asha her hand "‘Lovely’ doesn’t even co her"

Another truth, but not in the way Ana interpreted it

Cristobal laughed uproariously at the "coain At least this ti

"No, she’s married" Cristobal winked at Ana "I’ll leave you two to chat Be careful, though He’s trouble" He collected his winnings and wandered off to find his next distraction

Ana actually batted her eyelashes, which were decorated with multicolored crystals That was excessive, even by the hideous standards around here She was most certainly "New Money" if she was at a party like this And if her husband was Cristobal’s "associate," he’d probably ah some questionable means In the cutthroat world of Panah the ranks however they could Ana had the feel of so to coone, she slid over to Justin The s to hurt, but he knew that Cristobal’s guest had to be entertained "Cristobal didn’t have to tell me you were trouble," she said with a purr "A little voice in ht away"

Justin perked up "You hear voices in your head?"

She looked surprised "I ht," said Justin flatly "Of course"

Ana tried sain and had the same trouble as before "Notout Believe me, their women don’t even compare to the ones here" Justin knocked back the rest of his drink, looking down at the eled in a way that was coe "Aren’t you sweet And just as cute as Blanca said"

Justin’s smile almost slipped Almost "Blanca Jessup?" he asked carefully

Ana nodded "She’s a good friend of mine She told me so much about you"

Wonderful Justin’s last encounter with Blanca had involved bad judgment and even worse tequila Definitely not one of his finer moments At least Blanca wasn’t married, but her brothers bore the same obsessively protective--and occasionally violent--attitude toward their wo the Old Money upper classes He wondered what exactly "sofor a sih alcohol for that

He cleared his throat and groped for a subject change "This is Huan Korokov He’s frouy, and Justin hoped she ave Huan the barest of glances andback to Justin Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Huan working to keep a straight face This was probably the highlight of his trip

She leaned forward on the table, giving her cleavage amplification that it most certainly didn’t need "Blanca said you were some kind of witch hunter?"

He heard that a lot around here So so exciting I used to investigate religious groups for the governerous"

"Doesn’t the RUNA think all religions are dangerous?" she asked

Ha, maybe she’s not as vapid as she seeically appear and get et you a drink back at your place, said Magnus helpfully

Justin placed another bet, noticing that his stack ofsmaller and smaller "It’s a little more complicated than that Do you know the Gemman charter?" No, of course she didn’t "‘Belief in fictitious entities is a threat to the fabric of society andof all citizens’" He could recite it in his sleep

I almost believe you, Horatio said

"I’d love to hear o soht Huan came to the rescue

"Justin doesn’t like to talk about his past," he said, looking ainningly grave "Too many painful memories Justin, you should tell her the story of why you left"

A few players standing nearby perked up Cristobal’s pet Gereat interest around here, as was his shadowy exile

Justin averted his eyes and put on the tortured look he’d perfected for this story "I don’t know It’s hard for me to discuss…besides, I don’t want to burden you with o wouldn’t ood supporting role Maybe Justin could work hierly

"I can tell" Justin gave her a small s and kindness…it shines out from the soul" Huan cleared his throat and had to look away