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Are y’al right, Saba? says Jack You look kinda warm

Too much sun on my head, Ionto the edge an look up at hies our pile of clothes with his foot Grins Wel , ain’t this an innerestin sitchation? he says Two girls naked in the water an me with al their clothes

Turn around or I’l rip yer heart out, says Maev

Bloodthirsty, says Jack I like that in a woman

Turn around!

Ain’t it a bit late fer that? he says I mean, I already seen al there is to see

But he turns his back while we scramble out a the water an into our clothes

What’re you doin here, Jack? I says

How’d you git past the Hawks? says Maev

He shrugs I asked where I could find you Ash said to try here

You got past Ash? says Maev

Uh huh, he says She took a bit of … persuadin but in the end she cairl? says Maev Are you sure it was Ash you met?

Listen, he says, I know it ain’t hten up yer security

Yer right, she snaps, it ain’t yer business See you back at camp, she says to me She brushes past him an disappears into the forest

He turns around as I’m pul in on my boots She likes me, he says I can always tel

D’you rile somebody every time you open yer mouth? I says

Pret y much, he says

You didn’t answer my question What’re you doin here, Jack? I frown Are you fol owin h opinion of yer charms No, I jest … happened to be passin by is al , an I remembered you sayin somethin about hookin up with the Free Hawks I jest wanted to ot here okay an … al that So Is … everythin okay?

Uh huh, I says

You found yer sister okay?

Yup

Good That’s good Did I mention I alanted a sister?

Yup

He folds his arms over his chest Smiles at me I stare at him Final y he says, I know the way to Freedohtens with excitelin at e, Jack, you jest happenin to turn up here an you jest happenin to know the way to Freedom Fields

I told you before, he says It’s fate

An I told you I don’t believe in fate, I says How do I know I can trust you?

You can trust me, he says

You would say that How do I know you ain’t lyin?

You don’t But I ain’t

I feel the blood rush to my head I throw up my arms an yel , You are the most infuriatin person I ever met in ives me that crooked, cocky smile

An don’t look so pleased with yerself, I says It ain’t a couide or not?

Tel me, Jack, I says What’s in it fer you?

Instead of answerin my question, he takes a step closer to me an says, Why’d you come after me?

What?