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"You," heout here"

As I had expected, he began draggingwith all the strength that I couldthe tunnel "I know that you’re in trouble," I hissed

This made him halt and whirl around on me, his eyes fiery "What?" he snapped

"I know you’re in trouble You and all your people You houls and are unable to fulfill it"

Sherus faltered, confusionhis perfectly symmetrical face "What--Wh-Who are you to address me like this?"

"Just an attentive observer" I consideredhis interaction I’d witnessed with his sister but, given his foulimpatience now, I didn’t think that was the best incident to call upon to make my point "Whatever pact you gling to meet… I can help you with it I can help you with all of it"

Sherus blinked in disbelief, then narrowed his eyes on me "Who are you?"

"If you must know, my name is Benja the flicker of recognition in his eyes "The Shade," he murmured His expression toned down

"I command the loyalty of a number of witches," I went on "If you leta small army of them here to free you from whatever bond you have formed with these creatures"

My heart sank as he shook his head "Witches won’t be strong enough to help us in this," he whispered

His answer tookenough to overco his inadequacy I’d thought that perhaps his pride would rear up and that he’d assert again that they would indeed make the deadline as he had done with his sister, and that he didn’t need anyone’s help, least of all the help of a ghost Perhaps his sister’s words had gotten through to hiht Maybe they would not be able to fulfill their end of the deal I had no idea what that would mean for them or what the consequences would be, but fro terrible