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I took a step back fro it over Even if my parents or even one of h for anybody passing this way to notice it, and they’d soon be made aware of it

Then it was tiain, I didn’t want to meet anybody on h the undergrowth to the borders of the human town The toas quite busy at this time of day, so I remained within the shelter of the trees until I found some of the more quiet streets, and fro at the end of it, I was glad to see that it was empty Still, the s of River’s townhouse were open and the curtains drawn, so River and her fa to make as little noise as possible with Shadow’s heavy feet, I reached the front doorstep and, extending one of Shadow’s claws again, I scraped a wonky ered on it for several moments after I finished before I tore myself away from the spot and hurried off down the street I didn’t want to i ht ahead, I tried to nu the forest, I raced Shadow back in the direction of the beach I soon caught the sounds of Abby and Erik yelling for the , thanks to Shadow’s supernatural speed, and Abby and Erik apparently weren’t in thatthe saht that Shadow had gone exploring in the nearby bushes, or perhaps he’d wanted to relieve hi theh a line of trees to find the They whirled around to face Shadow, and as soon as they did, I drifted away frouilt to watch hihtly on his feet, his appearance disoriented and bewildered

"Where did you go, boy?" Abby asked, e ear

Shadohined a little before shaking his coat vigorously Then, after a few e, da to recover Living on this island, that dog had witnessed a lot of strange things I guessed this was just another to add to his list

Erik gripped Shadow’s collar and reattached a thick leash before the three of them wandered back toward the beach As they disappeared into the foliage, I knew that now it really was ti in the bedroo in temporarily in the Sanctuary Xavier sat nearbaby Victoria, while poor Vivienne upchucked in the ensuite bathroo here in Corrine’s quarters so that the witch could diagnose and treat her

I gazed down at my new niece, as lost in a peaceful sleep Thanks to Corrine’s expertise, there had been no unexpected complications with Victoria after her birth; she was a healthy, happy baby

A knock against the bedroom door disrupted the quiet

"Hello?" I called softly

The door opened and Derek stepped inside He nodded briefly toward Xavier before setting his focus on me There was an odd intensity to his blue eyes

Not bothering to remove his cloak, hean ar down at Victoria

"What’s up?" I asked