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“Is the Shadow the creaturein the cave?” I ask, recalling the dark beast who even Lord Loss see for

“Aye,” Beranabus says “We haven’t learnt ether an ar hard to launch the as he considers the teenager’s proposal “You’d operate alone?”

“I’d need help,” Grubbs says “Shark and Meera”

“I want to stay with Dervish,” Meera says

“He’ll be fine,” Grubbs overrules her “He has Beranabus and Bec to look after him Unless you want to leave Bec with me?” He raises an eyebrow

“No,” Beranabus , I’ll take her to replace you”

“Then go,” Grubbs says “Chase the truth on your side I’ll do the same here If I discover no link between Lord Loss and the La for him, I’ll cull the whole bloody lot”

Kernel grunts and a greenopens “Time to decide,” he tells Beranabus

“Very well,” th

e ician snaps “But listen to Shark and Meera, heed their advice and contact ainst the likes of Lord Loss or the Shadow” He carefully picks up Sharh the ith her “Follow me, Bec”

I look around at the others, dazed by the speed hich things have been decided Dervish is hugging Grubbs, squeezing hihtly, the way I wish he would have squeezedmonths

“Are you OK with this?” Meera asks “You don’t want to stay?”

“I’ll do what I h

“Take care of Dervish,” Meera whispers

“I will,” I laugh, wishing I could remain with Meera instead of Dervish