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"No, I didn’t And yet I know the truth about what happened--a truth you haven’t even begun to guess"

Even more beautiful was the first real temptation Nadia could have turned her back on all the wisdo the past four centuries, but knowledge about her mother? That was the perfect bait for the hook Nadia actually took a step forward then Good The best witches were always ly motivated by curiosity rather than fear "Did you irl really was still a child "No Why would I? I didn’t even know you then But surely it struck you as strange Even if your mother had come to despise your father--even if she couldn’t stand the endless annoying burdens of er--she re Even if she had abandoned you as a parent, she wouldn’t have abandoned you as a witch At the very least, she would have found a coven to bring you along But she didn’t, did she?"

"I don’t understand" Nadia looked halfild now "You know she didn’t--she just--what are you saying? Tell me Just tell me!"

She slipped it in as swiftly and ser into the ribs "Your mother didn’t abandon you, Nadia She traded you"

Nadia jerked back, stiff as though she were in physical pain For whatever reason, she looked toward Asa, who shrugged "It’s news to e, Elizabeth added, "Yourshe wanted ether She made a deal It’s as simple as that"

"What?" Nadia’s voice shook "What could she have wanted that much?"

"I didn’t h to an answer "But can you iht have been on the table? What knowledge, what gifts yourfor anything so dear--though maybe your mother didn’t consider her family too dear, not if she made the trade so readily No, you don’t have to abandon anyone All you have to do is see reason Coether I think there’s nothing we couldn’t do"

Nadia turned to Asa "Is she lying about my mom?"

"No," the demon said "I can tell that much Elizabeth has told you the truth"

For another moment Nadia hesitated, and then she turned fro the scenejust walking

"She’s in shock," Asa murmured

"It ear off And then perhaps she will see sense" Elizabeth realized she eaving slightly on her feet--the infection Asa spoke of, the one burning its way into her arm The fever affected her still "Help me inside"

He took her ar to her Nove cold; she must see about that coat As he walked her back into the house, Asa said, "You realize Nadia won’t take your word for it She’ll investigate"