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"I do I’ori noticed that Russell had already started down the path Typical Marine He had to be on the front line

JL er Pas on the other side of this forest Close to a canola field"

"Healer very nice old ive hiail stepped over a fallen baed "They like it It helps them be morehelpful"

She snorted "Youthee people like JL very much"

They reached the edge of the forest Gregori’s flashlight beaht yellow color of a canola field to the left

"Oh, how pretty," Abigail breathed

"This way" JL led thereat cluh Gregori stayed close to Abby Their flashlight beaasped "There it is!" She grinned at Gregori, then flung her arms around him "I found it!"

Rajiv, JL, and Russell rushed toward her

"Here" Rajiv dug into his canvas bag and handed her clippers and a plastic bag

"There’s a trowel in there, too, and so "We weren’t sure if you wanted clippings or the whole plant"

"Oh, the whole plant would be wonderful Soet a soil saori grabbed the trowel and located a cluster of ser Paw plants Soon they had three unearthed and planted in the plastic pots

"Let us" JL called on his phone "Hey, boss We’ve got a pickup for you Three plants"

Angus, Robby, and Kyo us asked Abigail

"Yes" She sress!"

"We’ll have Mikhail teleport these to Moscow" Robby lifted one of the pots "And then he can take them on to London We’ll have them safe at Romatech within twenty-four hours"

"That’s fantastic" Her sori wrapped an arm around her and squeezed her shoulder "One down, and two to go"

Russell turned to JL "Did the healer tell you where the second plant is located?"

JL exchanged a worried look with Rajiv "He said the Dee that’s three et it," Gregori said "Then we’ll be done here tonight, and we can move on to the next base"

Rajiv shook his head "We should not look for it It is very bad"

"What do you ori asked "Is it some kind of narcotic?"

"I’m not sure," JL replied "The healer just told us to stay away Apparently it’s called the Demon Herb because it’s so powerful People say it’s cursed"

"Surely that’s just an old superstition," Abigail said

Rajiv shook his head again "It is very bad"

"What o looking for it are never seen again"

Chapter Twenty-three

"Abby, is that you?" Madison asked on the phone "Are you in China?"

"I was about thirty o Is Mom okay?"

"She’s asleep, so I answered her phone I’m in her hospital rooail explained "Kyo’s place I needed to use the bathrooori said I could either try the bamboo forest or he’d teleport me to a real bathroohed "That teleporting sure does coori had a hidden uys orried about the accursed De after the plant, they were trying to keep her safely ensconced at Kyo’s luxurious estate

She leaned back in the Jacuzzi tub "You wouldn’t believe the size of this bathtub I’ail snorted "Yes" She’d locked the door so she could enjoy a long hot soak in the tub "This place is beautiful Full of art and antiques And the garden outside is heavenly Kyo must be awfully wealthy"

"Really?" Madison sounded iori suddenly asped and nearly dropped the phone in the water

"So?" Madison asked

"Idropped the soap" So ori winked at her, then pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it on the floor

She watched as his trousers hit the floor Then his underwear Good Lord, could any eous?

"Abby? Are you still there?"

"Yeah" Abigail sat up so she could observe Gregori in the glass shower stall "Tell Mom and Dad I’ail watched as Gregori soaped up his body Oh God, he was lathering up his groin

"Abby? Hello? I think there’s so with our connection Did you look for your plants?"

Oh, plants! "Yes! We’re ress We’ve already collected one and we know the location of the second"

"Wow! That’s awesoori rinsed off He turned his back to her, and rivulets of white lather slid down his back, then over his o now, Maddie Tell everyone I’ up and dropped her phone on a white bathrobe she’d left on a nearby bench

Gregori stepped out of the shower and s "Did you enjoy the show?"

"Yes" Her gaze lowered to his groin Wow He was already se tub"

"Yes" She sighed "Totally selfish of rinned as he climbed in

She moved over to make room for him, but he pulled her close into his arlow as he ski I need to tell you," he began "I don’t want you to get scared later"

"You wanthis whiskered jaw

"In the tub? Actually, I thought we er in one of his dimples "I meant you want to keep me here in Japan"

"Ah" He teased the crevice between her buttocks "You have to admit it’s much more pleasant here than a cave"

"The plants are over there"

"Yeah, but you’re safer here" His eyes returned to their norerous stuff?"

"How can it be dangerous? I have three Vaave her a dubious look

"I can be very persuasive" She smoothed her hand down his chest to his abs "What can I do to convince you?"