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Understanding ca warod had saved her life Kept her alive But how? And from what? How did he know her?

She tried to ask a question, but her throat caught fire again and pain spilled down into her stomach

"Justa from

46

her throat, and when it was gone, she breathed a sigh of relief The pain abated

She forced herself to try again "Where" She

frowned, her train of thought lost What had she been

going to say? WhereShe tried to remember what

the word meant It had come naturally to her, as if she

had once understood and used it easily Noas

gone, drifting away like an ie from a dream, unre-

ue,

illusory memory

"Maine" God answered her forgotten question with another ain, his deep,even the pain in her throat "You're at Lethe House on the coastof Maine I've been caringfor you"

She had no idea what he'd said, but she could tell that he aiting for her to respond Iht, each new i sense of unease Tension tightened the od to stay beside her, talking to her in that wonderful voice, brushing the hair from her face Without him, she would slip back into the darkness?she knew it soh which she'd coain