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The Reed house was in a historic neighborhood northeast of Hyde Park, where several Gilded Age mansions had been kept historically pristine It took up a large chunk of the block; not as large a chunk as Cadogan House did in Hyde Park, but with significantly oquarters were shaped like a U, one unified center and separate wings on each end, a private courtyard in the uards There were two in the front, an additional guard stationed on each side of the house Possiblyaround inside The heirs to Reed’s fortune, whoever theyno chances on their inheritance

"We can’t walk in," I said, and narrowed aze at an enoro up"

• • •

We left Brody at the curb, crept in darkness through the old and elegant trees that shaded the block, then slipped to the side of the building We watched the guard in silence, waited for him to pass, then darted to the tree that stood at one corner of the property There was snow on the ground, but, since it was August, still leaves on the trees That would give us some cover, at least until we e e came to it

It’s been a while since I’ve clirabbed a branch, hauled hi

A while for ot on e branch at a time

Hold, Ethan said, and I stilled, watched the guard pass beneath us, the green light on his co in the darkness I held my breath, like that would keep us hidden in the dappled ht, but couldn’t stop the chunk of snow that fell beneath round fifteen feet below

I willed h that I was sure the guard could hear it But he kept walking,for the sorceress who ht steal her way back into her home

This is the tricky bit, Ethan said, and clied his way across a lied the house’s second floor It was only about three feet wide, and would be a very tricky walk But that was the way in, so no point in bellyaching about it

Ethan held out a hand, helpedin the tree hadn’t bothered round did nothing for my appetite We moved to a dark , peered inside It looked like a bedroom, dark and mostly empty I tried to lift the sash, but it was locked

Watch for cars, Ethan said, and let me knohen you see one

While I nodded, Ethan unsheathed his katana, turned it so the heavy pommel faced theAnd waited

It took two long hts to play down the street On its way, I told him Five seconds

When the car passed in front of the house, he slalass Glass tinkled inside, but the noise was at least partiallycar We waited in silence for an alar

Eyes narrowed in concentration, Ethan reached inside the opening of jagged glass, flipped the lock, lifted the shutter