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The Sentinels could not be happy about that They were even less happy, I iined, over the announcee in public, in front of all the caather to document the affair It was a trap, a perfectly obvious one, and one I didn’t think they dared pass up The Sentinels had gathered membership on the idea that the Djinn were toxic to us; they couldn’t allow the two of us toHell, they’d already ruined tedding dresses

Pulling together a last-and open bar and invitations, things simplified dramatically All I really needed was a minister, a dress, and of course, as much security as possible so that we all survived the happy day

My cell phone was ringing off the hook Mostly, it was Wardens who hadn’t been given the heads-up about going public, and were blisteringto coain Paul had been a part of , and nownow all that was tainted I couldn’t even begin to iine how ain

One of the feelcome calls was from Cherise, who had checked herself out of Warden witness protection and was boarding a flight for Miato wear that dress?"

Oneinstantly faer had to shop Instead, I was under siege fro to throw dresses my way, under the theory that a little discreet proht I’d have a sponsored by wedding, but I had more to worry about than my ethical standards

Principally, I had to find a dress in my size in less than twelve hours that didn’t suck

That, it turned out, was far easier than it seeanizationjust add Cherise

"I booked the PalLewis a warm peck on the cheek

"You - wait, what?" I blinked, and so did he I was barely out of the coffee-zoe, and Leell into his et in?"

"Exactly forty-eight o," she said "Gotta love that executive car service By the way, I charged it to the Warden card, so don’t go all budget-conscious on ain

Cherisehit by a pink hurricane "So, I et a hotel, right? I booked the Palazebo for the ceres, no probleh I went ahead and called a couple of other firuess you’ll have the FBI, too, huh?" Cherise paused long enough to wink at Mr No-Name Nice Suit, who still looked fresh and well tailored "M to let the Paloing to be expensive, but there you go If you want to , you have to pay for the big top and the clowns"

"Cherise"

"I think we should head over there now I got you the bridal suite, naturally Five of the couture bridal shops are co in an hour with their best stuff They’ll want credit on the official press statee They’ll want the dress back, though, unless you get blood or so all over it, in which case, you break it, you buy it - "

"Cherise!"

She stopped, blue eyes wide, staring atfor control between hysterical giggles and the shakes

"It’s not a joke," I said finally "We could all be killed We could get a lot of other people killed I can’t have this at the Palms The Sentinels will attack I can’t put all those innocent lives at risk!"

Cher sat down next to me on the hard, narrow cot, and took both lossy, her makeup perfect I looked like I’d rolled out of the bad side of Satan’s bed, and forgotten to brush my hair, but there was real love in her eyes Real friendship

"Honey," she said, "this isn’t about you anymore This is about ideas Those innocent people, they live with risk You need to quit thinking that all us regular folks can’t handle the truth"

I didn’t think she understood what she was saying, but I gave her a cautious nod

"You want to stick it to those bastards who think David and all the other Djinn need to die, right?"

Another wordless nod

"When you hide, when you call things off because you’re afraid of getting hurt, that’s when people like this win Live loud, Jo It’s the only way to win No fear"

She tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear and cocked her head

"Besides," she said, "I cannot wait to see David in a tuxedo My God, Jo How can you even think of depriving the world of that?"

Well, she had a point Across the rooht my look and smiled, and I felt the connection between us snap taut and thruirlfriend," Cher said "All you have to do is stand there, look pretty, and say the right things Let us do the rest You" - she turned and stabbed a perfectly polished fingernail toward Lewis - "you need to get sos under the eyes Lie down, now And I’ in a stylist, because God"

I moved off the cot, fast, to make rooranted her autono open credit, and that the Feds, who didn’t know the players in the Warden world, anyway, just assureater sense She cheerfully co and everyone she needed, and appointed a subco had subcommittees! - to handle security services