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"Ah, no It’s htly "What?"

The reserved y "If your parents did not tell you, it’s not ht occurred to Rue "Are you, by chance, the negotiator? Is that why you need to speak toMiss Sekhmet and her interests?" She hoped it wasn’t the case, for that would ainst her father the vaood thing Whole empires had crumbled because of it

Professor Lyall arched an eyebrow "Sekhoddess?"

Rue was relieved by his confusion Right then, so far, purple dresses notwithstanding, they had yet to meet Miss Sekhmet’s contact for the other side of the tea situation "Never mind," said Rue

Professor Lyall was calm in the face of mystery He said only, "Little one, the purpose of this conversation is merely to say that I aestured, without rancour, to his bare forearm "In any capacity you require, metanatural Any capacity at all You understand?"

Rue inhaled in shock It was the first time a olf had ever offered to share his form without question or restriction Usually, she had to steal supernatural shape froise for it later She found his offer touching

"Thank you very much, Uncle Lyall I am honoured, but I hope that won’t be necessary"

The Beta smiled "As do I, Miss Rue, as do I" With another s Rue, Prihtly duh the trees, dodging monkey projectiles with supernatural swiftness

"Did he just offer what I think he offered?" asked Primrose

Rue nodded, eyes wide

"What an odd little man," said Prim "Nice, but odd"

"He see French, picked up on e for hied it off with, "Beautifully tied cravat for a olf"

They followed said olf’s retreating for their collective social duties and had left Percy, of all people, to take on the lion’s share of the obligation

They found the redhead holding his own in a spectacularladies, and a feere not at all eligible, Percy axing loquacious on the breeding habits of chilli peppers He was explaining, with the co spicy food caused overheating of the body, heart palpitations, and occasional irregularities in the ies of the hu ladies

Said i ladies were duly i acutely embarrassed at the very idea that she had included truly spicy native cuisine in her offerings

Percy caught sight of the up "Here, let me demonstrate – try this" He held out a small bit of flatbread, dipped into a reddish curry