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That isn’t so?

Aden hated when they argued, but that was far better than the poetry

Meg returned with a large plate piled high with brownies She offered Dan and Brendal first choice, then placed the treats in the middle of the table for the boys Everyone dove in like starving dogs that had just spotted a meaty bone

"Now that we’re relaxed, I’d like to ask some personal questions," Brendal said She placed her brownie on her plate "I want to ensure ard, I’d like to knohat everyone thought of Mr Thoet to know him," Seth said

Brendal was undeterred "Then tell me what you think could have happened to hi, shouldn’t you talk to the police?" Ryder asked

A moment passed in silence, and yet, in those quiet seconds any resistance the boys harbored melted away Until the last brownie cru, speculated about the man’s sudden disappearance Alien abduction was mentioned A need for a fresh start Murder--Aden tried not to squirm--and even a car accident

"Tell her I’ to him without animosity for the first time since Brendal had entered the room Their eyes met, clashed "Please"

He almost caved That please… I can’t, he projected

"You oweto Thomas’s tone

Aden shook his head

Still Thoht be able to save irlfriend? No Not now Maybe after the witches were dealt with, and only if Thoainst the royal fa the conversation Thouilt once again welled inside Aden’s chest

"Aden?" Dan said, drawing his attention "Are you agreeable to Ms Brendal’s suggestion, then?"

"Her suggestion?" He could only iine what she wanted His head on a silver platter? His heart in her favorite trinket box? As le one of them would hesitate to please her

He searched the boys’ faces They were peering at hione to such great pains not to look at each other, but now they were locked in so contest Both of their eyes were narrowed, both of their lips thinned with displeasure

His gaze shifted to the , but Victoria was no longer there

"Sure," he finally said, sweat beading on his brow "I’reeable"

"Good" Dan pushed to his feet, his chair sliding behind hiave Brendal one last lingering once-over--Seth even wiggled his brows at her--before shuffling fro and threw his ar Aden expectantly

What was he supposed to do?

"Shall we go, then?" Brendal asked him in that musical voice

"Uh, sure" Maybe he should have declined her "suggestion"

She moved around the table and toward the front door Aden re out theVictoria suddenly reappeared and pressed her hand to the glass If he wasn’t mistaken, someone, a female, stood beside her

Another date for him? Probably

Fabulous

"You’ll need a jacket," Dan said, pro him into motion