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Wordlessly they settled on a third-story ledge near Patriarch's Pond, on the roof across from Luce's here they used to watch her sleep The memory would be fresher in Daniil'sunder the covers still sent a wars

Both were somber In the bo had been spared when she hadn't They stood in silence in the cold night, both carefully tucking back their wings so that they wouldn't accidentally touch

How are things for her in the future?

Daniel sighed The good news is that so is different in this lifetime Somehow the curse has beenaltered

How? Daniil looked up, and the hope that shone bright in his eyes darkened You mean to say, in her current lifetime she has not yet made a covenant?

We think not That's part of it It seems a loophole has opened up and allowed her to live beyond her usual tierous Daniil spoke quickly, frantically, spewing out the sah Daniel's ht at Sword & Cross, when he'd realized that this time was different: She could die and not co is on the line now

"I know"

Daniil stopped, composed himself I'm sorry Of course you know Butthe question is, does she understand why this life is different?

Daniel looked at his eot to her, interrogated her before Luce knew anything about her past Lucinda recognizes that everyone is focused on the fact that she has not been baptizedbut there is so e of the roof and gazed at her darkThen what's the bad news?

I fear there is also much that I don't know I cannot predict the consequences of her fleeing backward into time if I don't find her, and stop her, before it's too late

Down on the street, a siren blared The air raid was over Soon the Russians would be out co for survivors

Daniel sifted through the shreds of hisfurther back--but to which lifetime? He turned to look hard at his earlier self You recall it, too, don't you?

Thatshe is going back?

Yes But how far back? They spoke si at the dark street

And where will she stop? Daniel said abruptly, backing away froe He closed his eyes, took a breath Luce is different now She's-- He could al fundamental has shifted We finally have a real chance And I--I have never been more elatednor more sick with terror He opened his eyes and was surprised to see Daniil nod

Daniel?

Yes?

What are you waiting for? Daniil asked with a set her

And with that, Daniel teased open a shadow along the roof ledge--an Announcer--and stepped inside

Chapter Three

FOOLS RUSH IN

MILAN, ITALY MAY 25, 1918

Luce staggered out of the Announcer to the sound of explosions She ducked and covered her ears

Violent bursts rocked the ground One heavy boo than the one before, until the sound and the tremors reverberated so that there seemed to be no break in the assault No way to escape the din, and no end

Luce stu into herself, trying to shield her body The blasts thrummed in her chest, spat dirt into her eyes and mouth

All this before she'd even had a chance to see where she'd ended up With each bright explosion, she caught gli fields, crisscrossed with culverts and tumbledown fences But then the flash would vanish and she'd be blind again

Bo rong Luce had et away froht back where she'd started Roland had warned her about this-- about the dangers of Announcer travel But she'd been too stubborn to listen

In the pitch-dark, Luce tripped over so and landed hard, facedown in the dirt