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"Oui, you’re so right, love," he said "Best to just coain "A contract was o, between Preacher’s ancestors and the Dupré famille," he said "They would supply us withnecessities, and we in turn would give full protection to the city and outlying islands A guardianship, if you will"

Gilles watched ive to hih I wanted to question how an old uys could still be carrying on souard an entire city--and from what--I kept quiet A rave expressionI needed to chill out with and listen to--for now, anyway So to h, I sensed a freakish strength radiating from Gilles Dupré I couldn’t explain it, but I think it helped keep my mouth shut and my ass firmly planted in the chair

Gilles continued "You see,friends disrupted a tomb and inadvertently released two vicious souls--a pair of brothers Valerian and Victorian Arcos" He stepped close to me and cocked his head "They, like us, are descendants frooi in Rorave;re, to take what they want, and trust ave a wan smile--"they will indeed want They will not be so easy to subdue again"

Strigoi? What the hell? The vacant stare in my eyes had to be blatantly obvious; then, it hit lanced around at the entire roo Preacher tell me to be still and keep quiet I just couldn’t help it The Gullah fixed their dark stares onfor my response, I supposed Slowly, I rose froh of disbelief I still couldn’t believe it I turned to Preacher "Zombies, Preach? Seriously? You think Seth and his friends unleashed zombies fros--but zombies? You know I don’t believe in stuff like that, and I don’t have tilanced back over ot to look for my brother--"

"Stay"

The faasped--then swore--in coius Dupré blocked the doorway and stood so close, I could s How had hefast? Every Gullah in the room, Preacher included, moved toward me, the rooes All at once, the overwhele to screaius Dupré in an effort to try "Move it, garçon," I said sarcastically as a sob stuck in my throat and my voice cracked--two very unlikely behaviors for me The foyer was clear, and I ran all the way to the front door, and then out of it Outside, at the botto

"Shit!" I swore under ain--how had he moved so fast? Twice! It wasimpossible, and my brain couldn’t--wouldn’t--wrap around it Wouldn’t even try I honest to God could think of nothing better to say and was again in co?" I asked, breathless with disbelief

"Trying to keep you fro an ass of yourself," he said quietly, his sly inside my head "Now, come back inside if you want to find your brother" He took two steps toward me, his features partially hidden by shadows "Please"

The look of distrust on ht, because Eligius gave a slight sht I didn’t kill hio now?"

When someone else said zombies, it sounded even ? But where Preacher was concerned, nothing--including zombies--could be ruled out Preacher and Estelle firs

"Child, coittin’ by us, and your brodder is out dere"