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"Yeah, but didn’t you kind of expect it?" I questioned "It’s not like she was going to sit around waiting to be sentenced and reht she would be kicked off the council then she’s looking to get it soht to fear black ic and all that it entails To us, those who used it were like the bogeys alike were to be feared, even by us The allure of their proh to tery fools like Holly didn’t realize was that in stepping over that line, they lost their souls to soo anywhere by yourself," Dorian ordered "Understand?"

I shook my head in frustration "Just because you’re nervous about not being able to see my destiny is no reason to treat otten pretty good at sensing death on people and connecting with the spirits If I happen to get into trouble, I will rely on those powers"

Dorian’s eyes crinkled at the sides "This isn’t a challenge to prove you knohat you’re doing, Gwen Rogues aren’t your everyday bad guys Or have you forgotten how easily you could have died at Brooe of your powers then?"

Damn, I hated when he ain"

"A down and in-between us Dorian waved his hand, a silent dis Dorian and ain

"Gwen, this isn’t a joke You’re lucky the one at the store wanted to take his tiue you would have been too far gone for rowled I wasn’t going to let the re my insides The irony of our conversation did not escapeFiona like a helpless damsel?

I ransoerous it is I’m more scared than I’ve ever been, but…" I paused to take a breath "I can’t keep having everyone else fight my battles How ae and throay the key?" I held up the dagger "Why teachirl inside me told me to shut the hell up and accept Dorian’s protection, but there was so on others to clean up my messes I didn’t just want to face Holly--I needed to I needed her to see that even though she had deic tricks up her sleeve, I wouldn’t cower and run Never again would I second-guess my ability to protecta path up and down el of Death My fiery anger was doused as soon as he bent down and placed a whisper of a kiss on ladly put you in that cage before I ever allow harrin bent one side of his e, but the tone of his voice and set of his eyes made me wonder if just maybe there was a kernel of truth behind those words

Chapter Eighteen

True to her word, Fiona called back fifteenafter Holly, Dorian ht of the blade was finally starting to feel comfortable in my hands The hilt felt like it’d been custo technique, fueled by yainst er out in front of lea sapphires

"I wasn’t able to place her," Fiona said defeated I kne excited she was about learning spells and proving useful The fall in her voice spoke volu shot," I consoled her "I’ she doesn’t want to be found and has placed a blocking spell Maybe that’s why the council orried, because they already tried tracking her"

"If I was there I could make one for you too," Fiona said "Or, I could read off the ingredients and walk you through it over the phone" She sounded hopeful and it painedThe last tione comatose

"I can’t," I confessed

"Sure you can," Fiona replied "It’s a simple spell You’ll just need an object to enchant and a few herbs I’m sure you could find the it were that easy "No, I don’t think I physically can Now that I’ Already I can feel "

There was a sharp intake of air "Seriously?"

I nodded and then realized Fiona couldn’t see ic," Fiona added

And I didn’t doubt it; Fiona lived for an "Maybe I still can I ht tingle beneath h to execute it"

"What does being a spirit walker have to do with losing your ic?"