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"I know" Cody reached out and gave my shoulders a squeeze "I know, Daise So am I"

"Sorry" I took a deep breath "I didn’t mean to shout at you"

"It’s okay," he said "Believe me, I’m frustrated, too And, Daisyyou know this isn’t your fault, right? You didn’t set sohost loose on the town"

"No, but it was ," I said "I didn’t And now it’s ht," Cody said "Plan B it is Let’s start by heading over to Drummond’s to buy out their stock of hammers"

It wasn’t much of a plan, but like he said, it was a start

Forty-four

While everyone else was carving jack-o’-lanterns, I spent the day before Halloween handing out hammers

"The, um, particular talent of the Outcast will probably be more useful," I said to Stefan "But just in case"

"Of course" He inclined his head, a shadow of regret behind his ice-blue eyes "So the spirits of the dead to rest" He paused "Are you well, Daisy?"

"Not exactly," I said honestly "But I’ my best"

Stefan’s pupils were steady "I could alleviate your fear"

I raised"No Thanks, but no"

Unexpectedly, he smiled "Better In battle, fear is a warrior’s friend You are wise to keep yours honed to a fine edge"

"U my shield in place between us, I eyed him I couldn’t help but think about what Cooper had said about us, not to mention Cody’s occasional flares of jealousy "Stefan, exactly what ahtly "How do you mean the question?"

"I don’t know" I really wasn’t sure what I was asking, but I also wanted to see hoould ansithout any guidelines

Stefan was silent for a minute "A rarity"

Okay, that wasn’t what I’d expected "Excuse me?"

"A rarity," he repeated "A demon’s seed conceived in innocence, born in faith, raised in love Thatforward, Stefan raised one hand to cup the back of entle kiss, but authoritative; a kiss that staked a definite clai that feels like electricity is, shot through asped out loud

Stefan releasedinto dark moons "Does that answer your question?"

"Not exactly, no" My heart was beating fast and hard, and my knees felt wobbly "But it raises plenty of others Only--"

He finished ht"

Stefan senuine affection "You should know that there are those of us who appreciate you for what you are and do not dismiss you for what you are not, Daisy The Outcast will support you as best we can in whatever manner necessity dictates I have conceived a fondness for this ridiculous town, and I do not wish to see it forevermore haunted When All Hallows Eve has passed, I will answer any question your heart desires But for now, it is best that you go"

I went, the i on my lips Life can be incredibly inconvenient at tih I debated it, in the end I asked Lurine to be on hand to provide backup I figured that if she was in costunize her would be reduced

Lurine agreed readily to help out after dark "No worries, cupcake," she said, idly tossing the haave her "So to march in the adult parade as an entire squadron of Lurine Hollisters No one will recognize the real deal"

"What about" I struggled to remember the name of the satyr, as nowhere in evidence "Nico?"