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Even before the figure far behind hiray so pale it almost seems white Unlike most of the men in this dimension, Paul keeps his hair short--even shorter than at hos past his knees; his boots are the first shoes I’ve seen in this diives Theo a look "Is the gun really necessary?"

"How can you even ask that?" But when Paul gestures, Theo hmmphs and puts the weapon away

"Thank you," I say

Paul acknowledges this with only a nod "We need to talk Obviously you understand that, or you would never have co I’d be able to gli Down here the world is black on black "Can h the Firebird? Could Conley?"

"It would take awhile for thee it, this far down," Paul says, with approval for my caution "Come on We’ll talk"

Theo looks at the two of us, alry, but he makes no ang--four women, three men--don’t seem much happier than Theo, but none of them protest

They lead round, it feelsis used to it, quickly taking , uneven path to the base of one of the huge monolithic skyscrapers Apparently whatever corporation is housed there doesn’t use their lower floors--and hasn’t for years I see squatters’ laundry hanging on lines, s from s, perhaps the product of ed, dark rooms, which are lit only by a handful of s: dirt, leather, old books Theo leans against the wall, folding his arerated satisfaction, "Nohat?"

"Now," says Paul, "we talk"

He steps closer tohis features This is the first time I’ve been able to really look at Paul’s face, and I draw in a deep breath A pale, jagged scar runs along one side of his jawline, but otherwise, he reminds me so much of every other Paul I’ve known

And yet this moment I don’t see the Paul of the Mafiaverse, who shot Theo’s knees I don’t see Lieutenant Markov I don’t see the besotted soldier I betrayed in a San Francisco under siege; I don’t even see er to me This is the person I need to understand

Because we have an opportunity, one none of us should waste

"You know I’uerite from this world," I say They couldn’t have found me without Theo’s Firebird, otherwise; they wouldn’t have knohat to look for

Paul nods "You are, nonetheless, Marguerite Caine, the daughter of Doctors Henry Caine and Sophia Kovalenka, and a traveler through the dimensions"

"Just like you’re Paul Markov, é and Triad’s eneet enuine s now You like your version better?"

"He never had a gang, or let anyone hold a gun on un to scowl "What are you doing with all the chitchat? We need answers froht not like this ar within hinize

Paul says, "Be patient, Theo"