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Soft and sad

A fist closed around o once before It didn’t work

"I can’t," was all I said to her, and quietly

"Then you will love hio

39

SHE WITHDREW THE CASH FROM HER POCKET AND offered it back to me "I cannot take this from you, and you must not tell him what I said"

"That’s convenient," I muttered under my breath

"If you leave hi, "by all o If he knows of his destiny and the two of you reestured to the door

I didn’t move "That’s it?"

"I cannot help you further," she said

My nostrils flared "You didn’t help at all" My voice was sharp, but then it thinned "Isn’t there so I can do?"

She crossed the s you can do You can let hio"

My throat tightened as I looked at her Then Ioutside and matched my pace as I stomped down the dirt path

"Bad news?" he asked, clearly amused

I wiped

"Wait," he said, reaching for ?"

I pulled away "No"

"Stop," Noah said, and stood in the path I hurried along and increased

We were nearly back by the Hall of Mirrors when Noah caught up with me I felt a hand on my shoulder and whirled around

"Mara," he said softly "Why are you running from me?"

And that undid me The tears came faster than I could wipe theame booths, then wrapped me in his arms He stroked my hair

"What did she say?"

"I can’t tell you," I said between quiet sobs

"But it’s the reason you’re crying, yes?"