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"Be careful," Fletcher warned as he finished garnishing the last bowl of soup "Be quiet and be invisible just like always Don't get yourself noticed by anyone, especially not tonight "

The worried tone in his voice ?"

He shrugged, but his green eyes were dark and troubled "I heard soo down at the dinner - "

A screah the noise and clatter in the kitchen

Everyone froze, wondering if we'd all just iined the sound - but we hadn't More sharp screa crack-crack-cracks of gunfire But thewas that even here in the kitchen, a hundred feet from the doors that led out to the party, I could feel the crackle of id Ice power, followed by an intense wave of Fire, both of theainst my skin like invisible sandpaper

Fletcher noticed the grimace on my face "What is it, Gin?"

"So their power," I said in a low voice "Ice and Fire They ic all the way in here "

He nodded "We need to get out of here - "

But it was already too late The kitchen doors flew open, and giants storun in his hand There was nothing Fletcher and I could do, no e could escape without drawing attention to ourselves and s worse, so ed our heads and put our hands up like everyo

ne else did

The giants marched the entire kitchen and waitstaff outside onto the lawn When I'd been out here five leareen tablecloths Now, tables and chairs were overturned, platters of food had been upended, and splintered shards frolinted like razor blades underfoot

The dinner party guests had been herded into a tight group out on the lawn, and the giants ushered us in that direction as well No one spoke, although several folks unsuccessfully tried to hold back frightened sobs and whimpers

"Good," someone purred in a low, feminine voice "More witnesses "

I couldn't see exactly as speaking through the crowd of people in front of me, but I saw the shiold necklace around a woman's throat I looked at Fletcher

"Mab Monroe," heto ht Looked like he didn't plan well enough Poor bastard He'll pay for it now - ined "