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He thought of going back to her, but no Verlaine would be with her re father now; they needed each other There was little else for Asa to do but go home

The mood was a little strained around the Prasad home at present Mo shown no further signs of dangerous behavior (When not influenced by ic spells, Mrs Prasad could co her superspicy curry) Still, she re she said so as to avoid setting off another "incident" This of course irritated her ument could, so both of them re funny stories about school thathis mother what she wanted for her birthday next week Her face lit up so brightly that he knew, beyond any doubt, that Jeremy Prasad had never remembered his mother’s birthday in his life

So Errands for evil Sorceress: taken care of Verlaine: in the best place she could be Prasad parents: pacified

And yet he still had to do forty-five minutes’ worth of medieval history homework before bed

I’ve known people fro his paper about the Hundred Years’ War You’d think it would speed things up a little But no And I’ forced to assist in an apocalypse I’d rather never see; could it at least happen before this paper is due? Of course not

Around nine pm, his father appeared in the doorway of his room "Hard at work, I see"

"History"

"Yourbetter of his casual reply, Asa tried to assume a more stricken expression, one that would th to carry onso like that Of course he knew his mother was fine, that she’d just run into an amateurishly executed couple of spells But nobody else knew it yet, so a little more concern was called for

"I just wanted to say, you’ve really coh these past couple of weeks For your lyyour roo your homework Don’t think we haven’t noticed Itthere for her"

"We’re family That’s what family does" At least, as far as Asa re "You’re finally starting to grow up, son" Then he shuffled off to bed

Asa glanced at the screen saver on his computer, which was a collection of pictures Jeremy had taken over the past severalthey would flash hi on one another while drunk; one of a guy vohed: The sheer monotony of it was clear to Asa, even if it hadn’t been to Jeremy This was all just sensation--the htless