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"How long do I have?" I asked

"One year Maybe a little more if you can control yourself After that you’ll be beyond our help And we need you, Yelena Powerful icians are scarce in Sitia"

My mind raced over my options Her display of power had convinced ined and that I would be a coo, she’d kill me where I stood

So I delayed the inevitable "Give me a year A year to find a permanent antidote, to find a way to escape to Sitia A year free fro my death"

She stared deep into my eyes Her mental touch pressed harder inher

"All right One year My pledge to you" She paused

"Go on," I said "I know you want to end this ? Feel free I’m used to it I wouldn’t kno to deal with a conversation that didn’t include one"

"You put on such a brave front But I know if I took another step toward you, you’d wet your pants"

"With your blood" I brandished ht face; the boast sounded ridiculous even to hed The release of tension ician then grew sober Cocking her head again, she listened to her invisible coo"

"Tell "

"What?"

"How did you know I’d be the fugitive? Magic?"

"No I have sources of infor Asking for details had been worth a try

"Be careful, Yelena," she said, vanishing into the forest