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Another wave of agony hit, and I crumpled to the floor When it passed, I crawled tofor the next assault Unable to endure the anticipation in silence, I said, "Valek, talk toto distract "

"Here’s so you can take some comfort from--there’s no poison called Butterfly’s Dust"

"What?" I wanted to screa convulsion hit, causingshredded with a knife

When I was sensible again, Valek explained, "You’re going to want to die, wish you were already dead, but in the end you’ll be quite alive"

"Why tell me now?"

"Theto die, then you ht have died from that conviction alone"

"Why wait until now to tell uish

"A tactical decision"

I bit back a nasty reply I tried to see his logic; to putsessions with Ari and Janco had included strategy and tactics Janco had coame "Keep your best moves close to your chest and only use the left," he had said

An opportunity to escapethe day In that case Valek wouldn’t have to show his last card and tell me about the poison

"What about the cramps?" I asked just as another one seizedto relieve some of the pain, but to no avail

"Withdrawal symptoms"

"From what?"

"Your so-called antidote," Valek said "It’s an interesting concoction I use it to make someone sick As the potion wears off, it produces sto so him If you continue to drink it, then the symptoms are forestalled until you stop"

Of all the books I had studied, I didn’t recall reading about a tonic like that "What’s the na to die erased the frightened panic and helped me to endure the pain I viewed each contraction as a step that must be taken in order for me to be free of the substance