Page 13 (1/2)

Even more earnestly, Conley says, "And at the hoive you the coordinates for the final splinter of Paul’s soul--for the universe where you can put hiain No errands to run there; that diet Paul and bring hi hio I need that even uess--more than I can ever let hiain "Is that a yes?"

So to make Wyatt Conley sorry he ever screwed around with us For now I have to play along "Yes Now give et the job done"

He holds out his hands to gesture at the stone walls and flaive you the data, but I need a little more sophisticated setup than this Shall we return to your home turf? I can transmit the first coordinates from there"

My diest it Mo on By now they must be frantic "Okay"

Conley takes his own Firebird fron and dull bronze color, his Firebird looksto this dioodbye to Paul This Paul"

"You get so senti his head "But I won’t tease you about it My other self is just as bad"

That’s definitely not the vibe I’ve gotten froive that order protecting ht! You got it" He thumps the side of his head, like Duh "I’ll talk to Her Holiness right away Pope Martha the Third Ruins to walk away, Conley adds, "Listen, so together for a while, you and I will look back on this and laugh"

I don’t dignify that with an answer Instead, I wait for hiuessed, he’s been waiting Paul kneels in a small room off to the side that turns out to be a private chapel ALazarus covers one wall, perspective wonky and faces stylized--the art, too, looks older than the Renaissance They haven’t rediscovered the techniques of the ancient world yet; this civilization is still crawling away froht flickers from a handful of tallow candles in iron stands Paul--Father Paul--is praying, but when I walk in he quicklyin Latin, crosses hi well? The cardinal will take care of your family?"

"I hope so" This chapel has no pews, only kneelers So I go to h

Paul glances at the doorway, no doubt worried we’ll be seen "You could claim sanctuary here The sisters would keep you safe until your parents fall under the cardinal’s protection"

Nuns? I’ll be spending the night in a convent? This world’s Marguerite doesn’t get to have nearly enough fun

She’ll be near her Paul, though That’s enough All I want now is to be back with ers along his cheek He draws in a sharp breath Have they even kissed? Paul tentatively coversthe side of his face If I were to kiss hiht now, he wouldn’t resist He’d kiss ht be deconsecrated

But I stole the Grand Duchess Marguerite’s first and only night with Lieutenant Markov I won’t steal any et to experience that ht," I say, to ure it out"

"Ours is not an easy path"

Paul’s old-fashioned, elegant phrasing re in love with Paul in the first place, and now I can’t take it anyo hoin