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“To do what?” Gray asked, narrowing his eyes

He was getting too da of cats, as her father would say

“This is the growing season,” Cassidy said “The land is in desperate need of help The Queens need to do so to increase the harvest, and they need to do itnow ”

“No,” Gray said

“Gray—”

“No!”

His voice thundered in the roo the chair over

Cassidy pushed away fro on her left, there was nothing but the corner of the table between them So all they needed to do was lean forward a little to be nose to nose

“Yes,” she said

“Doing that almost destroyed you, Cassie”

“I was careless I won’t ain But it isvital to take care of the land and to do it now Gray, youknow it’s vital What the Queens can do will make a difference for everyone in Dena Nehele And this is a ritual This is part of the Old Ways you all said you wanted to learn”

“Not at the risk of you getting hurt again!” Gray snapped

“I’et to his feet

“You sit down!” Cassidy pointed at him

Ranon froze Then he looked at Talon for instructions, which really pissed her off

“Sit down, Ranon!” she yelled “You too!” She gave Gray a push It wasn’tacross Shira to clamp a hand on Gray’s arm

“Hell’s fire,” said a voice full of biting laughter, “this sounds just like home”

The men whipped around to face the doorway Shira had a look in her eyes thatto use some of the Black Widows’ Craft Reyhana looked fearful

Strap some steel to your spineCassidy turned and stared at the black-haired woman who had delicately pointed ears and the handsome man who leaned on a cane

Mother Night, as Surreal doing here?

“Doesn’t it sound like home, Rainier?” Surreal asked her companion

“It does,” he replied “Although these two are clearly still novices When Jaenelle and Lucivar used to go at it, they could lass in the s shake—until their father had enough of listening to them and roared them into silence”

“Yes, Uncle Saetan is very impressive when he lets his temper slip the leash,” Surreal said

“Lady Surreal,” Cassidy said, hoping no one had been foolish enough to stand in Surreal’s hen she cas you here?”

Surreal called in a stack of envelopes and held the your letters And I’m here to have a little chat”