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I forced a smile ‘No It’s … er…’ I scratched my neck aardly ‘I could do with some help with research’

He bealowed ‘Yes Yes! What in particular? I ca that details the healing properties of rabbit dung when mixed with…’

‘Er, no,’ I interrupted hastily The bunnies could keep their poo ‘I need to know about the side-effects of necromancy’

Maidmont’s face immediately dropped ‘Necromancy?’ He shook his head in dismay ‘Oh no, Ivy No, you can’t I knohat you did up in Scotland and I know you stopped that boy But you can’t dabble in that kind of ic It almost destroyed him – and you You can’t think…’

‘Hush,’ I said ‘I don’t want to perfor to do with it But soaze ‘I’s and I need to find out if there’s so with ’

Maide things?’

I shifted from foot to foot ‘The details aren’t important But any information you have about any side-effects…’ I paused and sed ‘…and if I’er to myself or to anyone around me, would be – helpful’ Understatement of the year

‘Danger?’ He shook his head vigorously ‘Unless you’re perforaveThe trouble was that I didn’t know

‘I’’ My voice sank to a whisper ‘But Inecro crazy’

Maidmont seemed relieved ‘That’s impossible You can’t accidentally cast spells Look at the boy who did all this in the first place – Alistair, wasn’t it? He required blood to do what he did It’s a very deliberate action and takes considerable power’

‘Are you sure?’

‘I’m positive’

‘So I’htly better than turning evil and being able to destroy the entire country in one fell swoop Slightly The costuh

Maid’

I pressed ether ‘I could tell you,’ I said, ‘but then I’d have to kill you’

‘Not funny Ivy, I can’t help you look for infor for’