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"What’s wrong with it?" Jack asked Ellen

"The naet addicted to it to the point that they can’t function without it Use it long enough, and you go insane"

"How do you know so e and Wylie were into performance enhancers They used to dope e arriormaster for the Red Rose, and Ellen’s old trainer

"It’s just till the war is over," Seph said, leaning against the wall

"When exactly will that be?" Ellen de on for centuries"

"Does Hastings know about this? Or Linda?" Jack asked

"No And they’d better not hear it fro on me to handle this, and I will Whatever it takes" Seph never raised his voice, but it was clear frootiable

Usually wizard pohen it was noticeable at all, was a subtle thing Seph was so hot, the air around his

Ellen shook her head "Doping will ruin your body, you know that? That’s one of the reasons the Weirlind died off"

"Look I’m not an idiot I won’t use it unless it’s absolutely necessary," Seph said "It’s just that … I haven’t been entirely…? What are you talking about?" Jack asked

Seph looked like he wished he hadn’t opened hisThat’s all"

As if he thought that would shut off the questions

"What painting? Where?" Jack asked

"What kind of hex?" Ellen wanted to know

Seph sighed "I thought Nick would’ve told you It was in one of Madison’s paintings It kind of knockedbetter I just need … a little help right now"

"Hoould a hex get into one of Madison’s paintings?" Ellen sat down on the swing, kicking off with her feet "I never heard of that"

"Who knows?" Seph said

"How could a hex work here in the sanctuary?" Jack asked

Seph shrugged "Nick thinks it "

Ellen planted her feet, bringing the swing to an abrupt stop "Hold on He thinks Madison did it?"

"He’s just throwing out possibilities We don’t know"

"Madison wouldn’t hurt you," Ellen said with conviction

I hope you’re right, Jack thought In wizard politics you always have to watch your back

Seph rose and began pacing "I still don’t get it Madison says Jason never showed So must’ve happened to him on the way down there But we’re the only ones who kneas going"

"Well," Jack said reluctantly "He has Linda’s car Is it possible hearound "What?"

"It’s no secret he’s been wanting to go back to England, you know, and…"

"Jason wouldn’t do that," Seph said disht If Madison had hexed Seph, was it possible she had so to do with Jason’s disappearance?

Jack knew better than to voice that theory aloud

"What about Maddie?" Ellen asked "Is she co back?"

Seph shook his head "She says she can’t Not now, anyway"

Jack thought it best to change the subject "So what do you think we should do? About the assassins, I onheart," Seph said "I can watch forif I see it, but anybody can walk into my house and try and kill me Or walk into St Catherine’s and walk out with the Dragonheart There’s always the chance they’ll get aith it"