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"And it is spectacular," whispers Noah in eous," Jake says in front of everyone,me out "You’ll be in a cab alone Gabriel and Sydney, MacLeod and Ginger, you’ll be in separate cabs Darius, you ride with Arcos Miles, you’re withat me with admiration and a quick twice-over "You will arrive last"

I nod "Got it"

Outside, the night air is heavy, but not so much brine this time That sweet, cloverlike scent rides the chilly breeze, and Peter hands me a silk wrap as I wait for my cab "You look lovely, miss," he says "I would drive you myself, but--"

"Oh, that’s okay, Peter," I say hurriedly, reave us fro with rins His nose is, as always, red "You’re most welcome, miss"

I watch the sun drop as ait outside the Crescent, and the sky once ray Soon, my cab arrives, and Peter opens the door for me "The Marimae House, please sir," he tells the cab driver Then hands him twenty pounds "This should cover it"

"Aye," the cabby answers "Cheers"

"Cheers," Peter answers, and waves to me

I wave back and we take off to Nen

Traffic is heavy, and the cab driver takes several side roads that I’m unfah, why even though it’s called Nen, the ground itself is still as ancient as Old Town Which is why a particular battle was fought between the painted warriors of the north and the lowlanders By the tie manor home, at least three or four hundred years old, and it has a wide, sweeping circular drive that we pull into and get in a short line of black cabs dropping off guests

It’s precisely seven pe is there to open , but I allow it anyway The dauess I should’ve seen a doctor by now I ignore it as best as I can, push it aside It dulls

The h With an impressive front face, it has two fountains out front with arden in the back as I start up a two-flight winding staircase

The ns of the WUP teaether near an enor a drink They don’t see n of Sydney and Gabriel No telling where they are Probably digging up the garden, looking for the relic

I see no sign of the others I continue to walk through the e parquet dance floor, and several couples are twirling around to ancient music Ballroom music Never did learn to dance like that I’uess you’d say

"Miss, would you care to dance?"

I turn around and facea very old guy Cute, lots of white hair going every which way, but old I smile "Sure"

He leads lifor his attention A slight shter nod

Prick

He then excuses hiood," the old man says to s," he says, and grins widely "And your pink hair"

I try not to laugh "Well, thank you very uy is actually getting a little winded, and we stop "Thanks," I say, and he alance at the crowd, a voice whispers at the back of my neck, close to my ear "Don’t turn around"

My insides seize

"You’re an exquisite dancer," he says, his voice silky sht ahead into the next roooers and into the next room, as instructed Only a few people occupy it Chairs and settees are situated about, and I feel his hand now at the small of my back It sends shivers down my spine I hate that

"Just at the far end of the rooh it"

I’er nervous I’manxious I want to see whoever this person is I walk ahead, find the door, open it, and go through it It’s another dis overhead and gives off a soft a reaches my ear The door is now locked The chamber is chilled, empty We are totally alone