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“Nothing we’ve heard Though the general said he’d give us an update in the ht?”
“I can only spend so reat a conversationalist”
He snorted “Oh, you have plenty to say, Jade We all know it” When they arrived at the tavern, he added, “I’ll be back at ht to see you home”
The diligent shovel brigade had taken to the ays, not coiven the massive amount of snow that covered the cracked concrete, but they’d e She entered the building, the noise level a bit more a the stor up for lost time from weather-related captivity
Yet the din faded as she ritually crossed to the coatrack, hanging up the cape Sheena had given her She wore it over her own jacket because the combination provided substantial warmth
Suddenly swarmed by patrons, Jade had to assure everyone she was in perfect health and also offer what little information she had about the entire incident When she finally made it to the bar, Michael stared at her in exasperation
“You’re trying a lot of nerves” Regardless, he gave her a hug “You really need to move into the town proper”
“Please, don’t start with et about it”
Lisette, who surprisingly sat at the bar—she wasn’t a regular—said, “You were taken to the castle after being assaulted by a fire wraith and we’re not supposed to worry about you?”
Jade sighed “I’ to be nonchalant about this, and I do appreciate your alarm over what happened to me I just don’t have eneral rescued h I was unconscious ardless…I was very lucky”
Her friends eyed her skeptically as she busied herself by refilling beerred wine, so Jade poured a bit lass
Michael looked as though he wanted to quiz her Incessantly, no doubt Skirting his inquiries, she grabbed a tray and trolled the room for empty pints and more orders The activity helped to divert herto anyone She’d heldher lifeti them further
However, despite her conviction to bury thoughts of the De her in a way, yet also taunting her, because her entire being reacted to the reether It was hardly a fair hand to be dealt One she couldn’t play
The evening progressed smoothly, as it typically did A relief to Jade Unfortunately, Michael watched her a bit too closely, as though he were looking for some sort of suspicious behavior on her part She didn’t think she’d given hi she’d said about her hellish experience with the fire wraith But he cornered her in the storage room nonetheless
“So’s different about you,” he said as he closed the door behind him