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"I tried to nod but ainst a rim of porcelain I said, 'Yes ¡¯

" 'She'll test you,' he said He went on bathingit flow over me 'If you fail her tests, she'll kill you That's always her ith those who fail her There is nothing to be gained fro her Remember what I say ¡¯

" 'Help et away from here,' I said

" 'I can't help you ¡¯

" 'Do you believe led to articulate it 'When I say that I can reward you? I have plenty of money ¡¯

"His eyes widened and he shook his head 'Doesn't matter if I believe you,' he said 'She would find ave me She's too powerful for ht that she saaiting tables in a caf¨¦ in Venezia ' He h 'I wish to God that I had never brought her that little glass of wine, that useless little glass of wine ¡¯

" 'There has to be a way,' I said 'She's not God, this woht it I remembered the cold air and the stars around me What was she? What kind of monster?

" 'No, not God,' he said s bitterly 'Just powerful and very cruel ¡¯

" 'What does she ith me?' I asked

" 'Try to stand up to her tests,' he said 'Try to please her Otherwise you die She never does anything else with those who fail her She gives them to us, and we rid the world of the bodies, and for that we are allowed to continue to live That's our existence Can you iine the place the Devil has for us in his inferno? Now, if you believe in God, use this time to say your prayers ¡¯

"I couldn't speak anymore

"I felt him raise my arms, one at a tie ritual, and I couldn't understand the desire of anyone for such a thing to be done

"He seemed to sense my discomfort

" 'I don't k

nohat it means,' he said to reat care ' He shook his head sadly 'Maybe itOnly in time e know ¡¯