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My heart’s pounding, and I can see a noticeable shake in my hand when I lift it and place it on her stomach; and it’s then that I can feel hoeak and sick she really is The cold tingle crawls up my spine and spreads down row dizzy My breathing quickens, and in to sweat despite the prickly chill turning roan escapes her open mouth

I close my eyes "Shhh, it’s okay, it’s okay," I say to co froin to pull the sickness away It retreats stubbornly, clinging tightly to her insides, reluctant to loosen its grip; but finally even the stubborn bits let go

Slight tremors cause Carlotta to convulse and shake, and I do my best to hold her down I open my eyes just in tie to a pink glow

Vertigo sweeps through me I lift my hands from her body and fall backwards to the floor My heart thuds so violently that it scares me, like it’s about to break free from my body But in time it slows, and when I finally pullup with a bewildered look, as though trying to reotten here

I rush into the kitchen and drink three glasses of water When I walk back, Carlotta is still gathering her bearings I htstand and rifle through the ten or so pill bottles, finding the label I’ for: WARNING: MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS I open it, take four pills, and shove the on?" Carlotta asks She is frantic "Where am I? Who are you?"

I don’t answer her, and instead walk from the room But before I leave, I turn and look at Carlotta once ling over the bed as though she’s about to stand

I rush out of the house and find Legacy sleeping underneath the backKeeping to the alleys and side streets, I e with the cat inhow Héctor will react when he finds his e this s My only hope is that nobody saw o, and that Carlotta won’t remember what really happened

Outside the double doors, I unzip acy inside I know just where I can keep him safe: up in the north belfry with the Chest The Chest, I think I have to get it open

Chapter Twenty

BEING IN LOVE IS A VERY STRANGE THING Your thoughts constantly drift towards this other person, no lass in the cupboard or brushing your teeth or listening to so towards their face, their hair, the way they s what they’ll wear, and what they’ll say the next time they see you And on top of the constant dream state you’re in, your stoee cord, and it bounces and bounces around for hours until it finally lodges itself next to your heart

That’s how I’ve felt since the first day Ito find ht of Sarah’s face and her lips and ivory skin take overdirections from the backseat and still be one hundred percent focused on the way it feels when the top of Sarah’s head rests just under s,every line of conversation fro dinner at Sarah’s

But what’s even more insane is that as we drive the speed liht towards Sarah and her blond hair and blue eyes, I’ about the way she s outfits, hoe almost kissed back in Florida My stomach also hurts because of Six Not only because of her, but because of the fact my best friend also has a crush on her I need to buy some antacids the next time we stop

While Sam drives we debate Henri’s letter and talk about how cool Sa the people of Lorien but also for giving Sa were to happen to hi back and forth between Sarah and Six in my head

We’re two hours froh? Idown in that well but so else but the trans up in Paradise like this"

"Trustwheel and turns up the stereo "I’ve never been so certain of anything in ht As, thank you very , in far greater nu thatto be honest withto take this risk is because of the possibility of seeing Sarah

I lean forward in the backseat and pat Saht shoulder "Sam, no matter what happens with that well and sundial, Six and I owe you big-time for what your dad did for us But I really, really, really, really hope that it leads to a transhway lights coe of the seat as he sleeps I’ so close to Six

"Hey, Saame?"

"Yeah, sure"

"What do you think Six’s Earth name is?"

Six whips her head over her shoulder, her raven hair slapping her right cheek, and she frowns at hs

"Just guess," I say

"Yeah, Sam," Six says "Guess"

"Uh so hard Bernie Kosar jumps up to look out the nearest

"Stryker?" Six yells

"Not Stryker, then? Okay, okay I don’t know, sole?" Six yells "Why would I be Eagle?"

"You’re such a badass, you know" Saured you would be like a Starfire or like Thunder Clap or so really badassy"