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I liked Dex A lot Heck, maybe I even more than liked him But in a crisis, he was not exactly user-friendly "Do you knohere they were going tonight?"

"Yeah," he answered i to the cave You know, the one where we-"

"Right, right," I hurried on "Okay, I think I've worked out a e can stop Mary Evans without hurting Ro hurt was ever on the table"

"It's not," I said, looking overevery canister of salt we had into a duffel bag At least I hope it's not

"Do you want me to meet you there?"

There was no time to think, but I still hesitated, just for a little bit I did want hiht, once everything was over, I'd leave Ideal This was probably my last chance to see him

"No" It came out like kind of a croak, and I cleared my throat "No, there's no need for you to coht with Romy"

"Okay," he said, his voice lower than usual "Izzy-"

I hung up Whatever he was going to say next would probably just make all of this harder than it was Besides, Maya was ready and I needed to go

"Thanks," I said, taking the bag and holding out ive me your keys-"

But Maya blocked the front door, hands on her wide hips "No way," she said "I proht a hedge witch and a hos she'd frown on Besides, you'll needold ladies is wrong, I took a deep breath "Maya, I appreciate that, but er, and I have to help the iht was a pretty stoic delivery, Maya laughed "You Brannicks are always saying that" She dropped her voice an octave or so "'I have to do this alone This isher head, she said, "But you don't do it alone You never have There's always people like me, or that weirdo you keep in aforward, she took me by the shoulders "You aren't alone, Izzy You or your mom or, e find her, Finley And whether you like it or not, you need help And you're getting it So get your skinny little butt in host ass"

CHAPTER 31

Anderson's car was parked outside of the cave e pulled up Leaning over the steering wheel, Maya whistled low "Well, if this isn't the perfect setting for a ghost face-off, I don't knohat is"

I looked into thewas dark Still, they were in there, I was sure of it

Getting out of the car, I walked to the trunk Maya and I were just hefting out our bag of supplies when a splash of headlights lit up the glooundy town car ih I should have been horrified, I couldn't stop the giddy leap of my heart or the sudden smile that wanted to break out over er side

"I told you not to co over to hi here?"

He squinted pastinto the cave

"Dex," I said, pushingstupid like hug hi a hand up and down the back of his neck, Dex sighed "Yes,blown up at school was sorounded But when I explained that my Fair Isolde had need of ht's scarf, which was a riot of turquoise and purple His curly black hair was sticking up, and oh ht I did need him Kind of a lot

Which was just so, so unfortunate

"Dexter!" Nana called, rolling down her

"Ah, yes" He jogged back to the car, resting his hand on her sill and ducking his head inside "Nana, Izzy needsto help her with that, while you wait right here"

Nana smiled at me "Hello, Izzy Dexter, you know I always appreciate your being helpful, but this seems"

She looked past us toward the cave, and Dex craned his head over his shoulder, following her gaze "I know it looks vaguely unsanitary and potentially scandalous, Nana, but I pro noblepursuits We've even got a chaperone! Izzy, as that woman ent into the cave?"

I blanked, not sure how to describe Maya I settled on, "Myalsohis head in to kiss his Nana's cheek "Izzy's Nana! We are totally safe and appropriate"