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The suggestion stunned her But hts instantly snapped to attention in herI would adv

ocate for a less volatile coexistence and you would help us find better, safer ways for humans to live?”

“You can confer with the villagers and present ideas to me for consideration In turn, I’ll make an effort to i about Ryleigh We would take our ions”

Her spirits soared “You really want to proether?”

“Yes I do”

He let out a low laugh that held a hint of irony in it

Then he continued “That night Michael almost kissed you… Later, I contes for you had becoo too far I thought of restitution and redemption I hadn’t stopped the battles when I should have and I regret that In the back of my mind, I’ve alondered how I could ht outside the tavern, I still consider you to be the key to my salvation”

She stared at hihts too jumbled to process Her heart, however, did not stutter Rather, it picked up several beats

“Maybe,” he added, “ere destined to e our own Reconstruction Era, as we’d previously discussed”

“Youthrough the motions every day But since that first tie… Yes, there have been sos differently Become more involved It feels as if that’s precisely what I’m supposed to do”

He grinned at her “We could help each other if orked together”

“Not just each other We could i safer, while still allowing the demons to roam at will outside the community borders Your alliance hasn’t faltered,” she said “It’s those who haven’t banded with you that present the most trouble”

“I agree And I’ll have to place a greater penalty on theency stopped Attacks on the slayers and villagers can’t be tolerated”

She leaned toward hi beyond er picture”

“I want you protected And co that happen was to whisk you away to the castle But now I kno fiercely dedicated you are to the village As your father had been I respect that, Jade I’ll try to be less controlling However,” he said, with a hefty dose of warning in his voice, “when I know there’s danger close by, I don’t want you doing anything hasty You need to maintain your partnership with Tanner and watch each other’s backs Do you understand?”