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“So you were a dog, then You didn’t know anything about how the Lorica worked then, and you still don’t kno It’s all about coe for the arcane underground” He frowned, sneering when he spoke again “It’s because of my dedication to the Veil that the normals haven’t tracked down and flayed your sorry asses, and you know it”

“Sosaid “Are you a Mouth? You are, aren’t you? First order of business: I rip your tongue out, then ram it down your throat”

Royce gave Sterling a withering look, but he said nothing No one ever talked about it, but the Lorica obviously had its prejudices against non-humans Then he pointed at me

“Hurt them,” Royce commanded “Take therinned at me “Hurt this one the most”

The Hands sprang into action, , as quick as the crackling bolts of electricity one of theers We scattered, each of us instinctively pairing off against one of the Hands Unfortunately, that left me to deal with Royce one on one

“No deaths,” I mentally yelled after Vanitas as he sped across the room

“Blood,” he thought back

“Okay But try not to take any liers”

His gleeful laughter rang around the inside of my head just as I heard one of the Hands scream in surprise, or possibly pain I didn’t have time to look and check if Vanitas obeyed – Royce had already disappeared

“Fuck,” Iinto the Dark Roohting another teleporter before our first encounter in the Prism, and I still had no idea how to handle hi touched at all That was his deal: if he ain control of my mind

I ran through the Dark Roo back in reality But what choice did I have? I wasn’t going to leave Carver and the others to fend for themselves I reappeared in a far corner of the office, s

A fist sla, and my vision spun

“Fuck,” I groaned, stu away from Royce The bastard had Sneaky Dustin Specialed uy who invented the riainst the buzzing in my ears

“You’re a piece of work, you know that?” I said, rin

“Funny” He shrugged “You know, that’s what irlfriends said”