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Joules"If you ever speak about Deveaux again, you will use respectful words--or I swear to the gods, I will spit you on one of your javelins"

Finn, Gabriel, and Joules looked shocked by Aric’s defense of Jack Even I was surprised

Joules in’ a new tune"

The street shook again, vibrating the truck "The E closer"

Aric accelerated even more "We must make that pass before he takes out the road"

I peered out the ; a fracture was opening up beside us, racing us But ere pulling ahead "We’ve got it We’re beating it"

Aric suddenly slaaze forward

A skin-and-bones horse trotted in front of us We all gaped to see an ani to the valley The horse disappeared into a crevasse not ten feet froed

47

Aric whipped the truck into reverse "Wings down, Archangel" When Gabriel tried in vain to lower the out as he steered

"Where do we go?" I asked

"Fortune is co up behind us There’s only one other way"

The tunnel

Aric backed up to the turnoff, then sla down that h the tunnel entrance Aric killed the lights, speeding into the pitch dark In the center of the tunnel, he braked "Listen"

Swoop swoop swoop Zara’s copter "She’s flying over She’ll be waiting for us on the other side"

Aric nodded "She ht have a uns to set off a rock slide, trapping us until the Emperor arrives"

"Some of us kno that feels, Death," Finn said quietly Because Aric had told Ogen to batter a mountain--while my allies and I had been inside it

Aric said simply, "Yes"

To Joules and Gabriel, Finn added, "And you two are not the friends I wanted to spendits little helain see, al me of Jack

I turned to Aric If this was the end, I was grateful for even two azed over his shoulder at Finn "Magician, you need to disguise this truck"

Finn looked surprised that the Endless Knight was addressing hi the bird to see Aric better, he said, "Zara will still be able to detect the heat froave a low cry, as if to say, "Listen"

"Uh, I only create illusions Like pictures, you know? I ride the pine for the big stuff"