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She nodded "Your vines have an awareness Even when you sleep, they keep watch Unfortunately, they’re not foolproof Some players, like Death, are too quick He’s slipped past your sentries before Other players--like the Tower--strike from too far away for your plants to detect theer to learn

"You can becoe of medicinal plants, and I’ll teach you more You can also manipulate wood Past Ens of favor And with a wave of her hand, one E an entire civilization, easily garrisoning her army of men"

Aric had told ainst the Eh any plant on earth She could evenherself from one trunk to another"

"No way!" Could I ers in the soil and take root?

"Not that there are any trees left to travel through" Gran sighed "I’ll show you "

"I’m fine I can do this" But she looked as if my exercise had weakened her

"In time For nohy don’t you tell me about your interactions with Death? He was the last person I expected to show up atthat was s about you The name of your horse Your art Your ballet He said that you’d spent ive you whatever you desired Could’ve knockedabout me, even my malicious past, Aric still loved me I didn’t want to hurt him anymore But every time I contemplated my life, all I saas my past--Jack--and my future--Richter

"Death is very protective of you," she said "He can’t help it He’s cursed to desire you each gahed "He’s got you believing he loves you, doesn’t he? He’s killed you two out of the last three gaht "He’s a villain, Evie"

Tiive his life for ths to rescue you But only because he can touch you He’s a red-blooded male, and you’re the sole woman he can be with What wouldn’t he do to preserve your life?"

Again, ouch "Then ould he return you to ift, to sway your favor He’s notoriously calculating, does everything for a reason"

She was right about the courtship Aric had adrandh with it He’d wanted me to choose him--but only if I loved him more than Jack

How could I explain that to Gran? She would never believe it anyway

"We will use this to our advantage," she said "He’ll continue to protect you, so you should keep hiaer flawed "Your victory is so close"