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That was not the answer she hoped for What clues had her father left with Martin to act on? How much had been revealed in his toer orb and find where it was hidden If she could overturn the binding sigil, she would be free to tell Colvin the truth and end his torment But as Martin had warned her, it was best to focus on the task at hand It was probably one of the reasons her father had given her the orb, knowing that she would one day see to find her father’s tome with it

"There," Lia directed towards the shallow alcove that led to the garden They advanced cautiously, listening to the din and laughter that came over the rooftops fro She pushed the gate inward and walked to the hidden spot in the here the Leering waited This tireeted her with an intoxicating s sense of excite at it, confused She touched the Leering and felt at its powers, trying to understand why it had changed In a moment, the Medium supplied the answer Once it had admitted her presence with the proper password, she would be allowed to pass it without barrier In a word, it thought she was a hetaera because only a hetaera would have known the password Within the stone, she could sense its formidable defenses Much like the portals at the Abbey which prevented intruders fros at Dochte were equally powerful She questioned the stone with her thoughts, probing to see if another hetaera had passed it since she left thatimpression that none had

"What is it?" Martin asked, studying the expression on her thoughtful face

"The prey is careless," she answered "It is safe to pass"

They crossed the arden beyond In this case, they were not so lucky as before There was one person in the garden, which forced them to halt and reerows and trees, ht was fading still, but there was enough light to see her face when she turned and ca dark hair and supple as asped with shock It was a beautiful girl, probably her own age with dark eyes and raven black hair She looked so si place and ran as fast as she could That h the features were sier’s sister She followed the path and then started when a voice reached thenized the voice immediately

"There you are," Dieyre said "I was told I would find you here"

"This is a private garden," the girl said, her voice sly and sultry "Which of the girls let you in?"

"I hardly remember her name You are all alike to me"

"Is that so? Even my sister?"

"She is…unique There is no woe at Muirwood?" the girl asked with a grin in her voice

"You knoell as I that no Abbey can hold her She will seduce theht I afall? When do I get to see her? I hear she is ht at the fete, of course You have not forgotten our quaint ways, have you?"

He took her hand and kissed her open paldo arrives on the et the princedo you were pro the earl’s sister as your wife Our spies have seen her She is being followed"

"Where?" Dieyre de a hint of anxiety

"In due tie before the fete I have a nen I have had tailored You will like it"

Still holding her hand, he escorted her back towards the Abbey walls "I look forward to seeing Forshee’s face when you arrive wearing it Daho aLia ser Martin appeared at her elbow "Use the orb," he whispered "You irl and the serpent’s arden"

"The s and pulling out the orb