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He answered without hesitation "I would be honored to carry it"

"Thanks And there’s soe Would youit?"

I handed hilanced atthe pouch and taking out the hilt He held it in his gentle hands, lifting to inspect it with awe

"Do you feel anything?" I asked

His expression was quizzical when he asked, "In ay?"

"Physically Does it kind of zap your skin?"

His brow furrowed "No"

"Oh" I sagged a little "I thought you ht be able to wield it, too"

"Anna" He eased the hilt back into its carrier "I had ed"

It was hard to i less than couess I knew that," I said, "but I thought since you’d been, you know, redeeavethe hilt into his pocket "Perhaps the Sword of Righteousness is not as forgiving as its Creator"

I followed him to the door, until he turned abruptly and I halted just before crashing into him

"Anna" His eyes looked a little wild I took a small step back

"Yeah?" I asked

He never took his eyes from me "Do you still speak with Kaidan?"

I dropped my eyes and shook my head, frazzled by the question "He won’t talk to me"

"But you still love hiain

He was quiet for a long pause before he said, "I a to take a walk, but I have my phone I will see you at twelve thirty"

He closed the door behind hi why things had to be so complicated

A check of the clock showed I still had half an hour I walked to theand opened the curtains Melbourne was beautiful It was strange to see Christ the streets on a sunny summer day After a fewthe people walking

Kope Sweet Kope I wanted him to be happy

He pulled out his cell phone, and unease curled inside lanced up toward myand I quickly backed away to stay hidden Then, in a ht through the glass, down to where Kope had stopped in a sh the receiver and Kopano’s features--the worried pinch of his full lips And then a lish accent answered, and I froze

Why was he calling Kaidan?

"Brother Kaidan," Kope greeted

"Kope" He sounded slightly edgy, worried "Is everyone all right?"