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Marcia was at Rod’s side, helping hi Philip was still out cold I opened my mouth to ask Merlin if he’d be okay, but a shock wave shook the whole underground chamber I ducked instinctively as dust showered us froons twitched and whi--took to the air, and Merlin looked alarmed

A moment later, Owen returned "I couldn’t catch theh He had a red spot on one cheekbone that would probably develop into a bruise, and there was a bleeding cut on his temple There was also a wildness in his eyes

"You certainly tried," Merlin said, and there was an unusual degree of sternness to his voice "That use of poas unnecessary and could have been dangerous I expect you to have rabbingHe then shoved th "Are you okay?" he asked Before I could answer, he pulled o

"I just love a happy ending" I looked over to see Ethelinda dabbing at her eyes with a yellowed lace handkerchief

"Yeah, you really helped here tonight," I said, unable to hide ured I deserved a little snottiness, considering I’d practically been burned at the stake, thanks to her interference

I expected her to deny , but instead, she burst into sobs "It was supposed to be an easy assign based on reputation, and Cinderella was centuries ago They weren’t even all that happy ever after, you know They had nothing in common Sure, the first few years were fine, but then he started going on ht up with the children, and they were like strangers living in that enor sniff, then blew her nose so loudly that it startled the dragons "But now I can’t seeht" With that, she dissolved into shuddering tears

She’d just about ruinedit, but I couldn’t stand to watch her cry "Wait," I called out, tearing estured toward Merlin’s pocket and down the passage where Idris had disappeared "--seem like they could use some help He doesn’t appreciate her properly"

Her face lit up and her tears dried i man does need to learn a lesson or two, and she would have better luck if she were estion I’m on the case!"

Merlin bowed to her "Thank you for your assistance, but I would appreciate it if you’d leave my people alone in the future"

"Oh, I have no need to s seem to be perfectly peachy And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do" She vanished in her usual burst of silver sparkles, and I hoped that was the last I saw of her

Owen squeezed my shoulder "You never did tell me Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I’m fine I want to sleep for a week, but I seeed, except o in the first place? You had them"

He looked atto kill you!" he shouted It was the first time I’d ever heard Owen Pal atto do?"

He shook his head "I don’t know, but we’ve always ain"

"What about the whole saving the world fro?"

"It’s not like my choice was you or the fate of the free world"

I sighed and rubbed lad you saveda hu away They’re still in business, and we haven’t learned anything about who’s really in control"

"We ht be somewhat better off," Merlin said "They seem to have acquired a ain have our original prisoner I honestly believe that Ari will be willing to cooperate now, even if it’s only enough toher In addition, we have freed your friend and preserved Mr Vandermeer’s clai"

Owen smiled then as he put an arodmother works with the done for weeks We said we needed to distract Idris"