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I had wanted to stay apart fro on this little project Because firstly, if I had told Sofia in advance what I was planning to do, she would only start stressing that so Besides that, I wasn’t even sure how this would all unravel Though I knew roughly the steps that I needed to take, I was also playing a lot by ear I didn’t even know if this experi soon enough, but until I had a better idea of Jeraure out his breaking point Soht that I was absent, otherwise I would have to keepup excuses to disappear for hours at a time

Corrine was the only other person on the island who had been let in on our plan, and even then, it had been out of necessity I didn’t expect Ibrahim to stay in one of these old cha favor and I did not want to ask too much of him So he would keep a low profile, in the furthermost rooms of the Sanctuary, away fro left alone so close after one a lot more smoothly than I’d anticipated Perhaps, because this was now the third tih practice to be able to control s without another’s assistance Still, Ibrahim made sure that I had ample sacks of animal blood in my room to refuel, as Sofia had wantedso to occupyI rarely got the ties of a history book--while downing liters of blood--I also lost track of time Before I knew it, the end of the day had arrived, and it was time for me to pay another visit toblood more than ever I’d heard how croaky his throat had been the last ti intomy cloak aroundthe room I traveled down the corridor and as I reached the door to Jeraainst it I couldn’t hear anything, not even light breathing--and I couldn’t help but smirk a little No doubt he had heard the footsteps of his crazy uncle approaching again, and noas holding his breath as he waited for me to open the door

I opened it swiftly this time and stepped inside Jeramiah was huddled in the corner He was very ed

"Good evening," I said pleasantly "Still enjoying yourself?"

He swore atthe sack of blood froht it readily, even as he scowled Then he tore it open and began downing it He was too thirsty to let his ego get in the way As he finished it, he discarded the package and then backed up closer against the wall, still glowering at me

"Howup the wooden stool that I had planted in the corner in anticipation offorward, elbows on ether, and stared at hie withhis eyes, he clenched his jaw hard

He was stubborn, just like his father And, I guess, just like ive a person free will, you know," I said, looking at hiranted this generous inclination of lanced at me uncertainly, and I couldn’t miss the fear behind his eyes Hopefully by now I had convinced him that there was a screw loose with me I wanted to keep hieon is very much like the one your father kidnapped ain "You make it sound like he’s the evil one He captured her for you"

"You have a point," I said, nodding encouragingly "One could argue that my history is just as tarred as my brother’s But I do not deny it So why must we deny the truth about your father? Whyyour lies" He glared daggers at , even if he decided to clamp his hands over his ears But there were far better ways of forcing the truth into hi my voice

I decided to cut ain soon

Ben

I wasn’t sure where to go now I’d hoped that down there in the lower levels, I ht cothened on spotting Lucas But noas hardly any closer to oal All I kneas that the exit was aboveto head back in that direction was a good start Maybe I ought to return to ed, and where I would not have to fear being tracked down by a ghoul Then again, the ghoulsforattereat idea

But whatever the case, I still had miles and miles to travel before I was even faced with the proposition As I sank cautiously into the closest wall of the pond-filled chamber, my mind returned to ed to find a way to escape, Lucas would be willing to atteh But if he stayed… I wondered how er he would last He was already so deep down How many more years, months, or maybe even weeks would it be before he was thrust down further into The Necropolis? Never to return