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"The stor"

"What if you’re wrong?" Will said He sounded tense

"Do you really think this was an isolated occurrence? You read the papers like I do You’ve seen the signs"

The conversation grew hushed and Evie edged closer to try to hear

"I told you then that it would coaret You know that"

They must have moved; the sound became muffled and Evie could make out only bits and pieces: "Safe haven" "Diviners" "Going to be needed"

Evie leaned closer, straining to hear

"What about your niece? You knohat she is You have to get her ready Prepare her"

Evie’s heartbeat quickened

"No Absolutely not"

"You have to tell her, or I will"

Unable to bear it, Evie burst into the rooarettes "This is a private conversation"

"I heard you talking aboutat Will’s desk It was the sao, the one who’d left her card The one Will pretended not to know "What isn’t he telling lanced in warning at the wonation or disapproval, Evie couldn’t be sure

"I expect I was" The woman secured her hat "I’ll see , Will, whether you’re ready or not," she said to hial way

Evie waited until she heard the quick snap of the woman’s heels on the marble tile outside, then she turned on Will "Who is that woman?"

"None of your concern"

Will lit one of his cigarettes and Evie snatched it fro it out in an ashtray

"But she was talking about me! I want to knohy," Evie demanded "And you said you didn’t know her before!"