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"What?"

If Elizabeth had even noticed Mateo’s approach, she didn’t see the winds thrashed her hair; a few damp strands stuck to her cheek The cold made her shake, and by now the sky seemed far too low This here Elizabeth had wished to lead her This was the trap Yet she had to ask, "How?"

"You givethe sank in, biting at her bones as sharply as the chill There was only one way Nadia couldher an apprentice

Mateo’s skiff hit the shore of the shthouse island, and he ran as fast as he could up the steep bank As he approached, Elizabeth never turned toward him--but then she held out her hand, and suddenly he couldn’t h he’d been shackled in place; it was as if he could feel the iron cutting through his flesh around his wrists, his waist, his feet, everywhere

Once again he tried to call on whatever power it was that he’d discovered deep within, the power that had broken the spell on Gagebut Mateo couldn’t find it Whatever Elizabeth was doing was far too strong

Yet his own fate bothered hi at Elizabeth She looked worse than afraid

She looked defeated

Nadia tried to think of another way to stop Elizabeth, but she couldn’t

The bridge for the One Beneath would be completed no matter what Fro theher best to break that seal and bring Him here

Nadia could keep her freedo the lives of innocent people

Only then did she think, If I join Elizabeth, I knohat she’s doing I learn her ic I learn exactly how the One Beneath plans to enter our world

Thatthis vow--breaking thisa Sorceress like Elizabeth--that would have its oer Twist her uess

Nadia had only one chance She took it

"I’ll join you," she said

Mateo cried out, "No!" But Nadia didn’t look at him; she couldn’t afford to now She would face his betrayal and anger later For now, this had to be done

Elizabeth straightened, a gleeful s on her face "You have to swear it, you know And there are penalties for oath-breakers"

"I know" She’d pay when the time came "I know"