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"Except at sunrise"

"Even then" Lil hopped down fro her empty plate behind "He has been dih for a pretty light sho and then, but no h to protect you" She drew close, her eyes fixed onher words that I did not notice her approach until her expression turned… Gods, I have no words for the horror of her It was as if her other face, the long-n one I could not see that face, as she had warned er I realized it only when she lunged, not at my plate but at me

I didn’t even have time to cry out Her bony, sharp-nailed hand shot at istered the danger But an instant later, her hand stilled and quivered, an inch away I stared at it, then at the dark blotch around her wrist Just like the day before, at my table And just as then, Shiny suddenly beca frolared at Lil

Lil sedfits and took a deep breath to calm down I did see But it made no sense I said to Shiny, "Your power comes back to you when… when you protect me?"

I could still see him, which made it easy to see the contemptuous look he threw at me I nearly flinched in surprise What had I done tohad said He doesn’t thinkmy face "Anymortals as one of them’ " I blinked in surprise and saw Shiny stiffen The words were not hers, I could tell They did not sound like Lil at all; I heard darker echoes " ‘Unknown, co only ealth and respect you can earn with your deeds and words You reat need, and only to aid these mortals for whom you hold such contempt’ "

Shiny released her wrist and turned away fro doith a bleak expression--what little of it I could see, because his gloas fading already Ah, he had dealt with the threat, so he no longer needed his power

I took a deep breath and faced Lil "I appreciate the information But if you don’t s to hed, which set the little hairs arise on lad you can see " Her eyes shifted to the table "Are you going to eat that?"

My plate--or did she mean my hand, which rested near it? Very carefully I ain, delighted, and bent over the plate There was a movement too fast forneedles, and a quick, fetid breeze wafted past my nose When she lifted her head half a breath later, the plate was clean She took my napkin, too, to dab at the corners of heraround her Shiny was a barely visible shadow across frolances at his plate, too There were things I wanted to say to hih the night before But ould have to reach an understanding, he and I, and soon

I washed the dishes slowly, and Shiny ate slowly Lil sat into herself now and again

The sun was high by the time I left the house--later than I’d hoped to set out I had farther to go this tih I’d hoped that Shiny would join s, he re, in a darker mood than usual; I alreat relief One probleh for me She bid me a fond farewell before she left, however, and thanked me so profusely for the breakfast that I actually felt better about her Madding had always hinted towith ht processes, or too monstrous in our eyes, to fit in easily despite their best efforts I had an idea that Lil was a of my merchandise to the southern promenade of Gateway Park The northwestern proe of the crowds that cahts of the city The south promenade, where the vieas passable but not ideal and where the attractions were less impressive, was a mediocre spot Still, it was the only option I had left; the northeastern entrance of the park had been occluded years ago by a root of the Tree, and the east gate had a lovely view of Sky’s freight gate