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"We’ll work on changing these two back," I said "We’ll work on figuring out what the hell is going on in Rockabill We’ll work on--"

At that, Trill stood up I was expecting her to argue with me But my friend’s flat-featured face was oddly ehts were on but everyone had snuck out back to the shed

"The Signs protect destruction!" a voice very unlike Trill’s boons protect destruction! The Signs protect destruction! The Signs protect…"

We all looked at each other, totally freaked out But just as the Original took a step toward Trill, the whole cabin shook as if a rabbed onto the furniture around us while the ground shook and Anyan began barking like he was being pestered by rabid groundhogs

When the shaking stopped, we all looked around to e to the cabin a few books fallen off shelves or paintings off walls Trill, ns protect destruction," but when Caleb went and shook her gently, she came back to herself

But Miss Carrol looked spooked She was obviously afraid this meant an attack that would force her to bond with Nell’s Territory And as I looked around, relief turned to fear on allNell’s ho on one of his os

CHAPTER TWELVE

Yeah, Jane I’m sure you do want to talk, and we definitely have a lot of catching up to do But now?" Blondie asked I squinted at her, the low-lying light of the late-afternoon sun right in my eyes

"Yes, now It’ll take fivemy Resolved Voice

"Um, sure Fine" Blondie peered around, as if to verify our privacy Trill was inside,Nell a bottle froo on her break froh When Amy left, she’d taken Gus with her into town so he could work his shift at McKinley’s In the driveway, Anyan danced around Iris and Caleb, ere trying to load the big dog into Caleb’s SUV Anyan was having none of it

That left Blondie andwraparound porch, in relative seclusion

"So what’s up?" she asked

I thought about how to approach ht in was the way to go

"I knoe you my life Everyone’s told me that, about a inal blinked at me "Don’t beat around the bush, babydoll," she said

"I’rateful But everyone else has had aI remember, you were a mystery to us Now everyone’s best friends, but I need to knohy"

"Can’t the fact that your friends trust h?" she asked

"Frankly, no After all," I replied, "they needed you to keep e of… either through ood, old-fashioned rinned

"That’s a solidly distrusting attitude to have, babydoll You’re learning How about we start fro?" I asked, unsure of herout her hand for me to shake "Nice to meet you I’ of bendy sounds, grunts, and clicks

I blinked at her and then took her hand and said hello before tryingof noises she’d justher narimace deepened

"That’s terrible You have a tin ear How about a nicknaood year, at least, to pronounce her true name

"Sometimes ods, she said what could only be spelled "Xctvbivobi" I stared at her for a second, before giving her nae try

"Yeesh," was her only response "That’s even worse Can you do Cviciaoozozo?"

I tried I failed