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My hands landed on my hips "You need to check your memory there, Frank," I said "You approached me, remember?"

"True," he said "Which is why Clovis has instructedyou to the temple"

Okay, noas annoyed Why didn’t they just have in with? My question must have been written on my face because Frank responded

"Clovis wanted to be sure you came alone"

"Clovis sounds a little paranoid, if you askyour life," Frank said, watching uess you do knohat that’s like"

He was testingmouth Of course, Clovis would want to be careful And, for so awfully unaffected

"Look, I didn’t mean to offend anyone I’ jerked around here"

He stared at me for a moment, then said, "Understandable, but also unavoidable Now, if you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to meet Clovis"

I hesitated I hadn’t expected this "Uh … where are you parked? I’ll get my bike and pull around to follow you"

Frank walked away, expecting me to follow "That won’t be necessary It’s hard to drive wearing a blindfold"

He wasn’t kidding About the blindfold, that is It chafed uys with extreotten into the car, htless by anyone But I knew the only way I’d be able to meet Clovis was if I conceded Frank had assured me it was merely a security reed too readily then he’d suspect soave too much of a protest I’d also arouse suspicions So I played the round After a few half-hearted coree

The limo went over a bump, which lurched htedto listen Unfortunately, the men in the car kept up a steady strea from the weather to sports I’d hoped they’d at least let a bit of information about Clovis’ operation slip, but no dice I took a deep breath and tried towith Clovis

I knew al about him other than his name and that he was part deuhl I wasn’t sure, but I highly doubted ardless, in a few moments I’d finally see the infamous Clovis Trakiya in the flesh I took a deep breath to calht in my midsection The car slowed and then finally stopped

Show tirabbed my shoulders and pulled me out My feet hit the pave ht breast in the process

"Oops, sorry," Frank said, sounding anything but I grittedcautious steps I held one hand in front of ht into a wall

"Four steps" Frank said close to ed to shake hiet very far without his help His cologne sstore aftershave and he’d applied it liberally I held my breath and cautiously pickedsound that could only signal a large door opening sounded in front of ave way to warmth The air here was thick with the perfuers at the back of my head untied the blindfold I blinked a few tiain focus We were in what appeared to be a church vestibule A s of candles flickered in the di me closely We were alone Up ahead was another set of doors, large wooden panels etched with ancient syin," Frank said "Go in and take a seat Clovis will meet with you after"

When I hesitated, Frank nodded at the doors I took a deep breath and walked forward The sounds of chanting and voices raised in song filtered through the thick doors The handles were rasp wares announced my arrival in the chapel