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—Please, Empress! PLEASE!—

I stilled at his panicked tone What is it?

—They’ve taken him Set a trap Can’t see his future! Didn’t know They have him—

Slon Who has who?

—Duke and Duchess Most Perverse JACK—

My heart thudded with dread The Lovers had Jack? A fate worse than Death

—Cajun set traps against the ar a new encampment, surprised him Violet will join her brother Once the Lovers reunite, Jack will behurt—

How long do I have?

—Before they kill him, or before they break him beyond repair?—

I tasted vomit in my mouth Can I reach hi could delay men What about Selena? Can we send her in?

—She risked her life for him Left for dead Finn too—

Send another Arcana to save hied his alliance to E him Death’s head—

What? Joules will free Jack, like ato pay what he wants Try to negotiate so except that! I’ll let you knohat I plan

—Hurry, Empress!—

I wanted to think about this coolly, rationally But fear for Jack had

I stumbled down the stairs toward Aric’s rooms As far as I could see, fate had left me two paths Ask for Aric’s help, orthe impossible

Why would Death ever help the boy who’dhi, I slipped into his study I found hi on the couch He was shirtless, wearing only low-slung leather pants Staring at the ceiling, he had one arers over his chest He traced different runes, as if he’dabout as he touched those shapes?

“Aric, I need to speak with you”

He rose with his unnatural speed, striding tofor a steady tone, I said, “Jack has been captured by the Lovers”

He dropped his hand “Then right now he’s wishing I’d ended hi not to cry, I said, “I need your help to free him”