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I briefly considered the idea of staying to check on Teah to tell me what I needed to know Prudence and Bastion were supervising cleanup Royce was sitting on his haunches, his head in his hands Ro circles in his

back

“They’ve got their work cut out for them,” I said “Yeah, Herald and I will hitch a ride, I think”

Without another word, Carver flicked his wrist, sending the grass beneath us burning in a blaze of aic was so welco of ordeals It was faht have once used to describe the act of shadowstepping, a part of me that was lost forever

Chapter 35

Back at the Boneyard, Sterling and Gil escorted Asher to his rooood friend that he was, had personally stripped Asher down to nothing and scrubbed hi hiht to bed See, now that? That was friendship

Carver tookwords it was as if he knehat I had done within the confines of the Dark Roo with energy as it looked through my skin, past

“The shard re the star-metal from your heart would likely kill you at this point Quite like a bullet But it seeer haunt your bones, Dustin I don’t sense the menace of the Dark Room about you”

“I had to let it go,” I said, thinking back to what ht have meant the Dark Room as well “I don’t feel it anymore When I call, it doesn’t answer”

Carver placed a hand on the side of h ave me a small, sad smile “Perhaps it is for the best, Dustin You still have the gift of fire, after all”

“I do?” I looked down ata pleasantly surprised noise when a small pluuess I still have that”

“Yes Neat indeed Now, if you will excuse me, I think it’s time for some well-deserved rest”

“What does that mean in your terms, really? Do you just sit in a chair and stare at the walls?”

Carver walked towards the corridor to his office, scoffing “How thoroughly a the Dark Rooiven you a better sense of humor” He flipped his hair as he reached the end of the hallway “But alas”

“Rude,” I said, shaking my head as he disappeared around the corner I shoved my hands in my pockets and walked in the opposite direction