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Jocelyn froze at the unexpected words She had presumed that Tho to help It had never entered her mind that the man had actually sent the lad to fetch her

The chill in the air thickened,doom

"What do you mean?" she demanded in cautious tones

Thomas seemed to hesitate before he sed heavily "He sentthe necklace"

"My necklace?"

"That is what he said We ave an unconscious shake of her head Lucien had been right He had warned her the traitors would do whatever necessary to gain command of her Medallion Now they had revealed precisely how desperate they had becoical Medallions, but she was left with no choice She had to save Annie Noher

"What did thistones

Tho on her arm in impatience It was obvious he did not approve of her wary caution

"A big er Coer to rescue the poor girl than herself

But she ise enough to realize that she could not do so alone

If it was a va Annie captive, then there was only one person who could be of help

"Hold aflare of fury rippled over the thin countenance "No He said alone"

Feeling a pang of syave a faint sigh No doubt Tho able to protect the other children

"This entle tones "We cannot face him without the help of Mr Valin I will be only a htly pat his shoulder in a co motion, Jocelyn turned on her heel to return to the house Despite her earlier feelings of betrayal toward Lucien, she could no longer hesitate to turn to him for assistance Whatever had occurred between them, he was the one person she knew that she could depend upon in tier

He was the only one she desired at her side

She had taken only a step, however, when there was a sudden rush of wind behind her The sharp breeze nearly knocked her to her knees, and she hurriedly turned to discover Tholy she reached out, atte to reach the boy before he was entirely hidden by the strange fog But even as she did so, the one In his stead stood Vicar Falloith an unpleasant sazed at the familiar countenance in disbelief

It was not possible It had been Tho before her She would know his thin face and oversize ears anywhere Indeed, she would have sworn on her grand friend People did not shift from one form to another

People did not, but vaht very well, a dark voice whispered in the back of her mind

Suddenly she understood her instinctive revulsion toward the man who had pretended such a kindly interest in her And the reason that he had so determinedly appeared whenever she happened to leave her ho at a frantic pace So frantic it nearly smothered her Lucien had done his best to convince her of the truth of his words And the danger that surrounded her She si the sudden panic that fluttered over her pale features, Vicar Fallow allowed a cruel chuckle to fill the air

"I fear that Lucien is otherwise occupied at the ly"

"Vicar Fallow," she breathed, still reeling with disbelief

He offered abow "At your service"

"Youyou are the traitor"

"Traitor?" His features seely word, ether A thick, icy danger cloaked the air,it difficult to think

She knew she should flee, but stark terror held her captive

"You are atte to distract hiarden and come to rescue her

A rather feeble plan, but the only one she possessed

He shrugged with indifference at her accusation "A necessary inconvenience, I fear My studies must continue, and for that I need the power of the Medallion"