ALSO BY LAUREN KATE

FALLEN TORMENT PASSION

This is a work of fiction. Nam s! charact rs! "#ac s! an$ inci$ nts ith r ar th "ro$%ct of th a%thor&s ima'ination or ar %s $ fictitio%s#(. An( r s m)#anc to act%a# " rsons! #i*in' or $ a$! * nts! or #oca# s is ntir #( coinci$ nta#. T +t co"(ri'ht , -./- )( Tin$ r)o+ Books! LL0 an$ La%r n Kat

1ack t i##%strations , -./- )( F rnan$a Br%ssi 2on3a#* s with Am) r L(nn 1ackson of B (on$ Th S a Arts A## ri'hts r s r* $. P%)#ish $ in th Unit $ Stat s )( 4 #acort Pr ss! an im"rint of Ran$om 5o%s 0hi#$r n&s Books! a $i*ision of Ran$om 5o%s ! Inc.! N w York. 4 #acort Pr ss is a r 'ist r $ tra$ mark an$ th co#o"hon is a tra$ mark of Ran$om 5o%s ! Inc. RAN4OM5OUSE.0OM6TEENS FALLENBOOKS.0OM Li)rar( of 0on'r ss 0ata#o'in'7in7P%)#ication 4ata is a*ai#a)# %"on r 8% st. ISBN9 :;<7.7=.;7:;>-:7/ Ran$om 5o%s 0hi#$r n&s Books s%""orts th First Am n$m nt an$ c # )rat s th ri'ht to r a$. *=./

FOR MY REA4ERS! ?5O 5A@E S5O?N ME SO MANY KIN4S OF LO@E

Th #if so )ri f! th art so #on' in th # arnin'! th att m"t so har$! th con8% st so shar"! th f arf%# Ao( that * r s#i"s awa( so 8%ick#(B)( a## this I m an #o* ! which so sor #( asto%n$s m( f #in' with its won$ro%s o" ration! that wh n I think %"on it I scarc know wh th r I wak or s# ".

B2EOFFREY 05AU0ER! Th Par#iam nt of Fow#s Trans#at $ )( 2 rar$ N 0astro

0ont nts
0o* r Oth r Books )( This A%thor Tit# Pa' 0o"(ri'ht 4 $ication E"i'ra"h

Lo* ?h r Yo% L ast E+" ct It9 Th @a# ntin of Sh #)( an$ Mi# s
0ha"t 0ha"t 0ha"t 0ha"t r On 9 Two for th Roa$ r Two9 BiCarr BaCaar r Thr 9 5is Swor$! 5is ?or$ r Fo%r9 5an$ In 2#o*

Lo* L ssons9 Th @a# ntin of Ro#an$

0ha"t 0ha"t 0ha"t 0ha"t r On 9 Th Lon' an$ B#in$in' Roa$ r Two9 0r%m)#in' ?a##s r Thr 9 0o%nci# ?ith 4arkn ss r Fo%r9 Lo* &s P%"i#

B%rnin' Lo* 9 Th @a# ntin of Arrian

0ha"t 0ha"t 0ha"t 0ha"t r On 9 Th S cr t r Two9 Inf rna# 4 sir s r Two9 Th First 0%t Is th 4 " st r Thr 9 Lo* Tak s ?in'

En$# ss Lo* 9 Th @a# ntin of 4ani # an$ L%cin$a

0ha"t r On 9 Lo* Lon' A'o 0ha"t r Two9 A So%# at O$$s

0ha"t r Thr 9 4 #i'ht In 4isor$ r 0ha"t r Fo%r9 Som 0ons 8% nc Y t 5an'in' In th Stars E"i#o'% 9 Th 2%ar$ians
E+c r"t from Ra"t%r A)o%t th A%thor

LO@E ?5ERE YOU LEAST EDPE0T IT

T5E @ALENTINE OF S5ELBY AN4 MILES

ONE

T?O FOR T5E ROA4

Sh

#)( an$ Mi# s w r #a%'hin' wh n th ( st "" $ o%t of th Anno%nc r. Its $ark t n$ri#s c#%n' to th )rim of Mi# s&s )#% 4o$' rs )as )a## ca" an$ Sh #)(&s tan'# $ "on(tai# as th two of th m m r' $. E* n tho%'h Sh #)(&s )o$( f #t as w ar( as if sh &$ $on fo%r )ack7to7)ack s ssions of @in(asa (o'a! at # ast sh an$ Mi# s w r )ack on so#i$B"r s nt7t ns B'ro%n$. 5om . Fina##(. Th air was co#$! th sk( 'ra( )%t )ri'ht. Mi# s&s sho%#$ rs tow r $ in front of h r! shi #$in' h r )o$( from th )risk win$ that s nt ri""# s across th whit T7shirt h &$ ) n w arin' sinc th (&$ # ft L%c &s "ar nts& )ack(ar$ on Thanks'i*in'. Eons a'o. EI&m s rio%sFG Sh #)( was sa(in'. E?h( is it so har$ for (o% to ) #i * that m( first "riorit( is #i" )a#mHG Sh ran a fin' r across h r #i" an$ r coi# $ +a'' rat $#(. ETh (&r #ik san$"a" rFG EYo%&r craC(.G Mi# s snort $! )%t his ( s fo##ow $ Sh #)(&s fin' r as sh 'in' r#( trac $ h r #ow r #i". ELi" )a#m is what (o% miss $ insi$ th Anno%nc rsHG EAn$ m( "o$casts!G Sh #)( sai$! cr%nchin' o* r a "i# of $ a$ 'ra( # a* s. EAn$ m( s%n sa#%tations on th ) achBG Th ( ha$ ) n # a"fro''in' thro%'h th Anno%nc rs for

so #on'9 from th c ## in th Basti## wh r th (&$ m t a wraith#ik "rison r who wo%#$n&t 'i* his nam I into an$ ri'ht )ack o%t of a )#oo$( 0hin s )att# fi #$ wh r th ( $i$n&t r co'niC a so%#I an$! most r c nt#(! from 1 r%sa# m! wh r th (&$ fo%n$ 4ani # at #ast! #ookin' for L%c . On#( 4ani # wasn&t ntir #( hims #f. 5 was Aoin $B#it ra##(B with som 'host#( "ast * rsion of hims #f. An$ h ha$n&t ) n a)# to s t hims #f fr . Sh #)( co%#$n&t sto" thinkin' a)o%t Mi# s an$ 4ani # f ncin' with th starshots! a)o%t th wa( 4ani #&s two )o$i sB"ast an$ "r s ntBha$ ) n wr nch $ a"art aft r Mi# s $r w th arrow $own th an' #&s ch st. 0r "( thin's ha"" n $ insi$ Anno%nc rsI Sh #)( was '#a$ to ) $on with th m. Now if th ( co%#$ A%st not ' t #ost in th s woo$s on th ir wa( )ack to th ir $orm. Sh #)( #ook $ towar$ what sh ho" $ was w st an$ start $ to # a$ Mi# s thro%'h th $r ar( %nfami#iar s ction of th for st. EShor #in sho%#$ ) this wa(.G Th r t%rn hom was )itt rsw t. Sh an$ Mi# s ha$ nt r $ th Anno%nc r with a missionI th (&$ A%m" $ thro%'h in L%c &s "ar nts& )ack(ar$ aft r L%c h rs #f ha$ $isa"" ar $. Th (&$ 'on aft r h r to )rin' h r hom Bas Mi# s sai$! Anno%nc rs w r n&t to ) "ranc $ into #i'ht#(B)%t a#so A%st to mak s%r sh was a## ri'ht. ?hat * r L%c was to th an' #s an$ $ mons fi'htin' o* r h r! Sh #)( an$ Mi# s $i$n&t car . To th m! sh was a fri n$. B%t on th ir h%nt! th ( k "t A%st missin' h r. It ha$ $ri* n Sh #)( n%ts. Th (&$ 'on from on )iCarr sto" to th n +t an$ sti## ha$ s n no si'n of L%c . Sh an$ Mi# s ha$ )ick r $ s * ra# tim s o* r which wa( to 'o an$ how to ' t th r Ban$ Sh #)( hat $ fi'htin' with Mi# s. It was #ik ar'%in' with a "%""(. Th tr%th was! n ith r of th m r a##( kn w what th ( w r $oin'. B%t in 1 r%sa# m! th r ha$ ) n on 'oo$ thin'9 Th thr of th mBSh #)(! Mi# s! an$ 4ani #Bha$ act%a##(! for

onc ! 'ott n a#on'. Now! with 4ani #&s )# ssin' Jsom mi'ht ca## it a comman$K! Sh #)( an$ Mi# s w r fina##( h a$ $ )ack hom . Part of Sh #)( worri $ a)o%t a)an$onin' L%c ! )%t anoth r "artBth "art that tr%st $ 4ani #Bwas a' r to ' t )ack to wh r sh was s%""os $ to ) . 5 r "ro" r ra an$ "#ac . It f #t #ik th ( ha$ ) n tra* #in' for a * r( #on' tim ! )%t who kn w how tim work $ insi$ th Anno%nc rsH ?o%#$ th ( com )ack an$ fin$ th (&$ ) n 'on A%st s con$s! Sh #)( ha$ won$ r $! a )it n r*o%s#(! or wo%#$ ( ars ha* "ass $H EAs soon as w ' t )ack to Shor #in !G Mi# s sai$! EI&m r%nnin' strai'ht into a #on'! hot show r.G EY ah! 'oo$ ca##.G Sh #)( 'ra)) $ a ch%nk of h r thick )#on$ "on(tai# an$ sniff $. E?ash this Anno%nc r f%nk o%t of m( hair. If that&s * n "ossi)# .G EYo% know whatHG Mi# s # an $ in! #ow rin' his *oic ! * n tho%'h th r was no on #s aro%n$. ? ir$ that th Anno%nc r ha$ "#ant $ th m so far off th 'ro%n$s of th schoo#. EMa() toni'ht w sho%#$ sn ak into th m ss ha## an$ sna' som of thos f#ak( )isc%itsBG ETh )%tt r( on sH From th t%) HG Sh #)(&s ( s wi$ n $. Anoth r ' ni%s i$ a from Mi# s. Th '%( was 'oo$ to ha* aro%n$. EMan! I&* miss $ Shor #in . It&s 'oo$ to ) BG Th ( cross $ ) (on$ th #in of tr s. A m a$ow o" n $ %" ) for th m. An$ th n it hit Sh #)(9 Sh wasn&t s in' an( of th fami#iar Shor #in )%i#$in's! ) ca%s th ( w r n&t th r . Sh an$ Mi# s w r L som wh r #s . Sh "a%s $ an$ '#anc $ at th hi##si$ s%rro%n$in' th m. Snow sat on th )o%'hs of tr s that Sh #)( s%$$ n#( r a#iC $ w r $ finit #( not 0a#ifornia r $woo$s. An$ th s#%sh( m%$ roa$ ah a$ of th m was no Pacific 0oast 5i'hwa(. It wo%n$ $ownwar$ o* r th hi##si$ for s * ra# mi# s towar$ a st%nnin'#( o#$7#ookin' cit( "rot ct $ )( a

massi* )#ack ston wa##. It r min$ $ h r of on of thos fa$ $ o#$ ta" stri s wh r %nicorns fro#ick $ in front of m $i *a# towns! which som +7)o(fri n$ of h r mom ha$ onc $ra'' $ h r to s at th 2 tt(. EI tho%'ht w w r hom FG Sh #)( cri $! h r *oic #an$in' som wh r ) tw n a )ark an$ a whin . ?h r w r th (H Sh sto"" $ A%st short of th cr%$ roa$ an$ #ook $ aro%n$ at th m%$$( $ so#ation ) for h r. Th r was no on aro%n$. Scar(. EI tho%'ht w w r ! too.G Mi# s scratch $ his ca" '#%m#(. EI '% ss w &r not 8%it )ack at Shor #in .G ENot 8%it H Look at this +c%s for a roa$. Look at that fortr ss thin' $own th r .G Sh 'as" $. EAn$ ar thos #itt# mo*in' $ots kni'htsH Un# ss w &r in som kin$ of th m "ark! w &r st%ck in th fr akin' Mi$$# A' sFG Sh co* r $ h r mo%th. E? &$ ) tt r not ' t th "#a'% . ?hos Anno%nc r $i$ (o% o" n %" in 1 r%sa# m! an(wa(HG EI $on&t know! I A%stBG E? &r n * r 'oin' to ' t hom FG EY s! w ar ! Sh #. I r a$ a)o%t this L I think. ? 'ot )ackwar$s in tim )( # a"fro''in' thro%'h oth r an' #s& Anno%nc rs! so ma() w ha* to ' t hom that wa(! too.G E? ##! what ar (o% waitin' forH O" n anoth r on FG EIt&s not #ik that.G Mi# s A rk $ his )as )a## ca" #ow r o* r his ( s. Sh #)( co%#$ )ar #( s his fac . EI think w ha* to fin$ on of th an' #s! an$ A%st sort of )orrow anoth r sha$owBG EYo% mak it so%n$ #ik )orrowin' a s# "in' )a' for a cam"in' tri".G EList n9 If w fin$ a sha$ow that casts across th c nt%r( wh r w act%a##( +ist! w can mak it hom .G E5ow $o w $o thatHG Mi# s shook his h a$. EI tho%'ht I&$ $on it wh n w w r with 4ani # in 1 r%sa# m.G

EI&m scar $.G Sh #)( cross $ h r arms o* r h r ch st an$ shi* r $ in th win$. E1%st $o som thin'FG EI can&t A%stB s" cia##( not with (o% scr amin' at m BG EMi# sFG Sh #)(&s )o$( s iC $ %". ?hat was that r%m)#in' so%n$ ) hin$ th mH Som thin' was comin' %" th roa$.

E?hatHG
A hors 7$rawn cart cr ak $ towar$ th m. Th c#o" of hors s& hoo* s was 'rowin' #o%$ r. In a s con$! who * r was $ri*in' that cart wo%#$ cr st th hi## an$ s th m. E5i$ FG Sh #)( scr am $. Th si#ho% tt of a sto%t man ho#$in' th r ins of two )rown7an$7whit 7s"ott $ hors s ros into *i w on th s#o"in' roa$. Sh #)( 'ra)) $ Mi# s )( his co##ar. 5 &$ ) n f%ssin' n r*o%s#( with his hat! an$ as sh (ank $ him ) hin$ th wi$ tr%nk of an oak tr ! th )ri'ht )#% ca" f# w off his h a$. Sh #)( watch $ th ca"Bth ca" that ha$ ) n "art of Mi# s&s $ai#( war$ro) for ( arsBsai# thro%'h th air #ik a )#% Aa(. Th n it "#%mm t $ $ownwar$! into a wi$ "a# 7 )rown "%$$# of m%$ in th roa$. EM( hat!G Mi# s whis" r $. Th ( w r h%$$# $ * r( c#os to' th r! th ir )acks a'ainst th ro%'h )ark of th oak. Sh #)( '#anc $ o* r at him an$ was amaC $ to s his fac in its ntir t(. 5is ( s s m $ ma'nifi $. 5is hair m ss(. 5 #ook $ L han$som ! #ik a '%( sh &$ n * r m t ) for . Mi# s t%'' $ on his hat7hair! s #f7conscio%s. Sh #)( c# ar $ h r throat an$ h r tho%'hts. E? &## ' t it as soon as th cart 'o s )(. 1%st sta( o%t of si'ht %nti# this $%$ is o%t of th wa(.G Sh co%#$ f # Mi# s&s warm )r ath on h r n ck an$ th A%t of his hi")on "%shin' a'ainst h r si$ . 5ow was Mi# s so skinn(H Th '%( at #ik a hors ! )%t h was a## m at an$ no "otato s. At # ast! that was what Sh #)(&s moth r wo%#$ sa( if sh * r m t himBwhich sh n * r wo%#$ if Mi# s co%#$n&t fin$ an Anno%nc r that wo%#$ tak th m )ack

to th "r s nt. Mi# s fi$' t $! strainin' to s his ca". ESta( sti##!G Sh #)( sai$. EThis '%( co%#$ ) som sort of )ar)arian.G Mi# s h #$ %" a fin' r an$ ti#t $ his h a$. EList n. 5 &s sin'in'.G A "atch of snow cr%nch $ %n$ r Sh #)(&s f t as sh cran $ h r n ck aro%n$ th tr to watch th cart a""roach. Th $ri* r was a r%$$(7ch k $ man with a $irt( shirt co##ar! $a''( tro%s rs that w r o)*io%s#( han$ma$ ! an$ a co#ossa# f%r * st h wor cinch $ at th waist with a # ath r ) #t. 5is sma## )#% f #t ca" #ook $ #ik a ri$ic%#o%s #itt# "o#ka $ot in th c nt r of his )roa$! )a#$ for h a$. 5is son' ha$ th Ao##(! ra%co%s rin' of a "%) t%n Ban$ )o(! was h ) #tin' it o%t. Th c#o""in' of his hors s& hoo* s so%n$ $ a#most #ik a $r%mmin' accom"anim nt to his #o%$! )rass( *oic 9

ERi$in' to town t& f tch a mai$! a )%st( mai$! a #%st( mai$. Ri$in' to town to tak a )ri$ ! in * nti$ ! a @a# ntin FG
E0#ass(.G Sh #)( ro## $ h r ( s. B%t at # ast sh r co'niC $ th man&s acc nt! a c#% . ESo! I '% ss w &r in Ao##( o#$ En'#an$.G EAn$ I '% ss it&s @a# ntin &s 4a(!G Mi# s sai$. EThri##in'. Tw nt(7fo%r ho%rs of f #in' s" cia##( sin'# an$ "ath tic L m $i *a#7st(# .G Sh &$ $on AaCC han$s on that #ast )it for ff ct! )%t Mi# s was too )%s( watchin' th cr%$ )oar$ cart $ri* )( to notic . Th hors s w r tack $ in %nmatch $ )#% an$ whit )ri$# s an$ harn ss s. Th ir ri)s w r showin'. Th man ro$ a#on ! sittin' ato" a rottin' woo$ n ) nch at th h a$ of th cart! which was a)o%t th siC of a tr%ck ) $ an$ co* r $ with a st%r$( whit tar". Sh #)( co%#$n&t s what th man was ha%#in' to town! )%t what * r it was! it was h a*(. Th hors s w r sw atin' $ s"it th fri'i$

w ath r! an$ th "#anks of woo$ at th cart&s )as strain $ an$ sh%$$ r $ as it $ro* towar$ th wa## $ cit(. E? sho%#$ fo##ow him!G Mi# s sai$. E?hat forHG Sh #)(&s mo%th twitch $. E?ant to f tch (o%rs #f a )%st(! #%st( mai$HG EI&$ #ik to Mf tch& som on w know! whos Anno%nc r w can %s to ' t %s hom . R m m) rH Yo%r #i" )a#mHG 5 "art $ h r #i"s with his th%m). 5is to%ch # ft Sh #)( mom ntari#( s" ch# ss. E? &## ha* a ) tt r shot comin' across on of th an' #s in town.G Th cart&s wh #s 'roan $ in an$ o%t of r%ts in th m%$$( roa$! rockin' th $ri* r from si$ to si$ . Soon h was c#os no%'h that Sh #)( co%#$ s th coars n ss of his ) ar$! which was as thick an$ )#ack as his ) arskin * st. 5is "itch fa#t r $ on th +t n$ $ #ast s(##a)# of @a# ntin ! an$ h took a 'r at '%#" of air ) for ) 'innin' a'ain. Th n his son' )rok off a)r%"t#(. E?hat&s thisHG h 'r%nt $. Sh #)( co%#$ s that his han$s w r cha"" $ an$ r $ from th co#$ as th ( t%'' $ ro%'h#( on th hors s& r ins to s#ow th m. Th rai#7thin anima#s n i'h $! comin' to a sto" A%st short of Mi# s&s )ri'ht )#% )as )a## ca". ENo! no! no!G Sh #)( m%tt r $ %n$ r h r )r ath. Mi# s&s fac ha$ 'on "a# . Th man shimmi $ fat#( off th ) nch! his )oots #an$in' in th thick m%$. 5 wa#k $ towar$ Mi# s&s hat! ) nt $own with anoth r 'r%nt! an$ swoo" $ it %" in th )#ink of an ( . Sh #)( h ar$ Mi# s swa##ow har$. A 8%ick swi" a'ainst th man&s a#r a$( fi#th( tro%s rs an$ th ca" was ha#fwa( c# an. ?itho%t a wor$! h t%rn $ an$ mo%nt $ th cart&s ) nch a'ain! t%ckin' th hat insi$ th tar" ) hin$ him. Sh #)( #ook $ $own at h rs #f an$ h r 'r n hoo$i . Sh tri $ to ima'in this man&s r action if sh w r to "o" o%t from ) hin$ a tr w arin' w ir$ c#oth s from th f%t%r an$ tr( to tak )ack his "riC . It was not a ca#min' i$ a.

In th tim it ha$ tak n Sh #)( to chick n o%t! th man ha$ t%'' $ on th r insI th cart start $ ro##in' to town a'ain! an$ his son' nt r $ its tw #fth off7k ( ro%n$. Anoth r thin' Sh #)( ha$ scr w $ %". EOh! Mi# s. I&m sorr(.G ENow w $ finit #( ha* to fo##ow him!G Mi# s sai$! a #itt# $ s" rat . ER a##(HG Sh #)( ask $. EIt&s A%st a hat.G B%t th n sh #ook $ at Mi# s. Sh sti## wasn&t %s $ to s in' his fac . Th ch ks Sh #)( %s $ to think of as )a)(ish s m $ stron' r! mor an'%#ar! an$ his iris s w r s" ck# $ with a n w int nsit(. Sh co%#$ t ## )( his cr stfa## n +"r ssion that it $ finit #( wasn&t EA%st a hatG to him. ?h th r it h #$ s" cia# m mori s or was sim"#( a 'oo$7#%ck ta#isman! sh $i$n&t know. B%t sh wo%#$ $o an(thin' to ' t that #ook off his fac . EOka(!G sh )#%rt $ o%t. EL t&s 'o ' t it.G B for Sh #)( kn w what was ha"" nin'! Mi# s ha$ s#i"" $ his han$ thro%'h h rs. It f #t stron' an$ ass%r $ an$ a #itt# im"%#si* Ban$ th n h t%'' $ h r towar$ th roa$. E0om onFG Sh r sist $ for an instant! )%t th n h r ( s acci$ nta##( #ock $ with Mi# s&s! an$ th ( w r s%" r7craC( )#% ! an$ Sh #)( f #t a wa* of +hi#aration kick in. Th n th ( w r r%nnin' $own a snow7$ott $ m $i *a# roa$! mo*in' "ast cro" fi #$s that w r $ a$ for th wint r! co* r $ in a s# k sh t of whit that $ra" $ th tr s an$ s"ott $ th $irt roa$. Th ( w r h a$in' towar$ a wa## $ cit( with tow rin' )#ack s"ir s an$ a narrow! moat $ ntr(. 5an$ in han$! "ink7ch k $! cha"" $7#i"" $! #a%'hin' for no r ason Sh #)( co%#$ * r ha* "%t into wor$sB#a%'hin' so har$ sh n ar#( for'ot what th ( w r a)o%t to $o. B%t th n! wh n Mi# s ca## $ o%t! E1%m"FGBsom thin' sna"" $ into "#ac an$ sh $i$. For a mom nt! it a#most f #t #ik sh was f#(in'. A knott( #o' form $ th )ack # $' of th cart! )ar #( wi$ no%'h to )a#anc on. Th ir f t skimm $ it! #an$in'

th r )( sh r! 'rac # ss #%ckB For a mom nt. Th n th cart hit a r%t an$ ratt# $ fi rc #(! an$ Mi# s&s foot s#i"" $ an$ Sh #)( #ost h r 'ri" on th can*as tar". 5 r fin' rs s#i"" $ an$ h r )o$( f#ai# $ an$ sh an$ Mi# s w r f#%n' )ackwar$! sai#in' $ownwar$! into th m%$. S"#ash. Sh #)( 'r%nt $. 5 r ri) ca' thro)) $. Sh wi" $ th co#$ m%$ from h r ( s an$ s"at o%t a mo%thf%# of th $in'( st%ff. Sh #ook $ %" at th cart 'rowin' sma## r in th $istanc . Mi# s&s hat was 'on . EAr (o% oka(HG sh ask $ him. 5 wi" $ his fac with th h m of his T7shirt. EY ah. Yo%HG ?h n sh no$$ $! h 'rinn $. E4o Franc sca&s fac if sh fo%n$ o%t wh r w w r ri'ht now.G Mi# s&s comman$ so%n$ $ ch rf%#! )%t Sh #)( kn w that insi$ h was '%tt $. Sti##! sh wo%#$ "#a( a#on'. Sh #)( #o* $ to im" rsonat th ir stat #( Shor #in t ach r. Sh ro## $ o%t of th "%$$# ! "ro"" $ h rs #f on h r #)ows! st%ck o%t h r ch st! an$ "inch $ %" h r nos . EAn$ I s%""os (o%&r 'oin' to $ n( that (o% w r "%r"os #( att m"tin' to $is'rac Shor #in &s # 'ac(H I&m a)so#%t #( #oath to ima'in what th faaanc("ants )oar$ of $ir ctors wi## sa(. An$ ha* I m ntion $ that I )rok a nai# on an Anno%nc r&s $' tr(in' to track (o% two $ownBG ENow! now! Franki .G Mi# s h #" $ Sh #)( %" from th m%$ as h $ " n $ his *oic to $o his ) st im" rsonation of St * n! Franc sca&s s#i'ht#( mor r #a+ $ $ mon h%s)an$. EL t&s not ) too har$ on th N "hi#im. A sin'# s m st r of scr%))in' toi# ts r a##( sho%#$ t ach th m th ir # sson. Aft r a##! th ir mistak ) 'an with no)# int ntions.G No)# int ntions. Fin$in' L%c . Sh #)( swa##ow $! f #in' a som) rn ss s tt# o* r h r. Th (&$ ) n a t am! th thr of th m. T ams st%ck

to' th r. E? $i$n&t 'i* %" on h r!G Mi# s sai$ soft#(. EYo% h ar$ what 4ani # sai$. 5 is th on#( on who can fin$ h r.G EYo% think h &s fo%n$ h r ( tHG EI ho" so. 5 sai$ h wo%#$. B%tBG EB%t whatHG Sh #)( ask $. Mi# s "a%s $. EL%c was "r tt( ma$ wh n sh # ft * r(on in th )ack(ar$. I ho" that wh n * r 4ani # fin$s h r! sh for'i* s him.G Sh #)( star $ at m%$7s#ick $ Mi# s! knowin' how m%ch h ha$Bat on "ointBtr%#( car $ a)o%t L%c . A$mitt $#(! Sh #)( ha$n&t * r f #t that wa( a)o%t an(on . In fact! sh was # ' n$ar( for choosin' th a)so#%t worst '%(s to $at . Phi#H 0om onF If sh ha$n&t fa## n for him! th O%tcasts wo%#$n&t ha* track $ L%c $own an$ sh wo%#$n&t ha* ha$ to A%m" thro%'h th Anno%nc r! an$ Mi# s an$ Sh #)( wo%#$n&t ) st%ck h r ri'ht now. 0o* r $ in m%$. B%t that wasn&t th "oint. Th "oint was9 Sh #)( was amaC $ that Mi# s wasn&t mor )itt r a)o%t s in' L%c in m 'a7#o* with som on #s . B%t h wasn&t. That was Mi# s. ESh &## for'i* him!G Sh #)( fina##( sai$. EIf som on #o* $ m no%'h to $i* thro%'h m%#ti"# mi## nnia A%st to fin$ m ! I&$ ' t o* r m(s #f.G EOh! that&s a## it wo%#$ tak HG Mi# s #)ow $ h r. On im"%#s ! sh swatt $ his stomach with th )ack of h r han$. It was th wa( sh an$ h r mom t as $ ach oth r! #ik ) st fri n$s or som thin'. B%t Sh #)( was %s%a##( a #ot mor r s r* $ with " o"# o%tsi$ h r n%c# ar fami#(. ? ir$. E5 (.G Mi# s int rr%"t $ h r tho%'hts. ERi'ht now (o% an$ I n $ to foc%s on ' ttin' to town! fin$in' an an' # who can h #" %s! an$ makin' o%r wa( hom .G An$ ' ttin' that hat in th m antim ! Sh #)( a$$ $ insi$ h r h a$ as sh an$ Mi# s )rok into a Ao'! fo##owin'

th cart towar$ th cit(.

Th ta* rn stoo$ a)o%t a mi# o%tsi$ th cit( wa##s! th #on sta)#ishm nt in a #ar' fi #$. It was a sma## woo$ n str%ct%r with a swin'in' si'n of w ath r $ woo$! an$ )i' )arr #s of a# #in $ %" a'ainst its wa##s. Sh #)( an$ Mi# s ha$ Ao'' $ "ast h%n$r $s of tr s stri"" $ of th ir # a* s )( th co#$! an$ m #tin' "atch s of m%$$( snow on th "ock $! win$in' roa$ to th cit(. Th r r a##( wasn&t a## that m%ch to s . In fact! th ( ha$ * n #ost si'ht of th cart aft r Sh #)( 'ot a stitch in h r si$ an$ ha$ to s#ow $own! )%t now! s r n$i"ito%s#(! th ( s"ott $ it "ark $ o%tsi$ th ta* rn. EThat&s o%r '%(!G Sh #)( sai$ %n$ r h r )r ath. E5 "ro)a)#( sto"" $ in for a $rink. S%ck r. ? &## A%st snatch th hat )ack an$ ) on o%r wa(.G Mi# s no$$ $! )%t as th ( s#i"" $ aro%n$ th )ack of th cart! Sh #)( s"ott $ th man in th f%r * st insi$ th $oorwa(! an$ h r h art sank. Sh co%#$n&t h ar what h was sa(in'! )%t h h #$ Mi# s&s hat in his han$s an$ was showin' it off to th innk " r as "ro%$#( as if it w r a rar ' m. EOh!G Mi# s sai$! $isa""oint $. Th n h strai'ht n $ his sho%#$ rs. EYo% know what! I&## ' t anoth r on . Yo% can )%( th m * r(wh r in 0a#ifornia.G EMmmm! ri'ht.G Sh #)( swatt $ th can*as tar" of th man&s wa'on in fr%stration. Th forc of h r )#ow s nt a corn r )i##owin' %". For A%st a s con$! sh ca%'ht a '#im"s of a h a" of )o+ s insi$ . E5mm.G Sh snak $ h r h a$ %n$ r th tar". Un$ rn ath! it was co#$ an$ a #itt# f ti$! cramm $ with o$$s an$ n$s. Th r w r woo$ n ca' s fi## $ with s# "in' s" ck# $ h ns! h a*( sacks of f $! a )%r#a" )a' of mismatch $ iron too#s! an$ #oa$s of woo$ n )o+ s. Sh

tri $ th #i$ of on of th )o+ s! )%t it wo%#$n&t )%$' . E?hat ar (o% $oin'HG Mi# s ask $. Sh #)( 'a* a crook $ smi# . E5a*in' an i$ a.G R achin' for som thin' that #ook $ #ik a sma## crow)ar in th sack of too#s! sh "ri $ o" n th #i$ of th c#os st )o+. EThat&s a )in'o.G ESh #)(HG EIf w &r 'oin' into town! th s c#oth s mi'ht mak th wron' stat m nt.G Sh f#ick $ th "ock t of h r 'r n hoo$i for ff ct. E4on&t (o% thinkHG Back %n$ r th tar" sh fo%n$ som sim"# 'arm nts! which #ook $ fa$ $ an$ worn! "ro)a)#( o%t'rown )( th $ri* r&s fami#( )ack hom . Sh toss $ #itt# ' ms o%t at Mi# s! who scram)# $ to catch * r(thin'. Soon! h h #$ a #on'! "a# 7'r n #in n 'own with ) ## s# * s an$ an m)roi$ r $ 'o#$ n stri" r%nnin' $own its c nt r! a "air of # mon7( ##ow stockin's! an$ a )onn t that #ook $ sort of #ik a n%n&s wim"# ! ma$ of ta%" #in n. EB%t what ar (o% 'oin' to w arHG Mi# s Aok $. Sh #)( ha$ to r%mma' thro%'h a ha#f $oC n mor )o+ s f%## of ra's! ) nt nai#s! an$ smooth ston s ) for sh fo%n$ an(thin' that wo%#$ work for Mi# s. Fina##(! sh "%## $ o%t a sim"# )#% ro) ma$ of stiff! coars woo#. It wo%#$ k " him warm a'ainst this )%ff tin' win$I it was #on' no%'h to co* r his Nik sI an$ for som r ason it occ%rr $ to Sh #)( that th co#or was " rf ct for his ( s. Sh #)( %nCi"" $ h r 'r n hoo$i an$ s#%n' it o* r th )ack of th cart. 2oos )%m"s ros on h r )ar arms as sh t%'' $ th )i##owin' $r ss o* r h r A ans an$ tank to". Mi# s sti## #ook $ r #%ctant. EI f # w ir$ st a#in' st%ff that '%( was "ro)a)#( takin' into town to s ##!G h whis" r $. EKarma! Mi# s. 5 sto# (o%r hat.G ENo! h fo%n$ m( hat. ?hat if h &s 'ot a fami#( to s%""ortHG Sh #)( whist# $ %n$ r h r )r ath. EYo%&$ n * r mak it a $a( on Ski$ Row! ki$GBsh shr%'' $BE%n# ss (o% ha$

m th r to #ook aft r (o%. Look! com"romis ! w &## r "a( som thin' #s to th cosmos. M( sw at r LG Sh ch%ck $ th 'r n hoo$i into th )o+. E?ho knowsH Ma() hoo$i s wi## ) a## th ra' n +t s ason in th anatom( th at rs! or what * r th ( $o for f%n aro%n$ h r .G Mi# s h #$ th ta%" )onn t a)o* Sh #)(&s h a$. B%t it wo%#$n&t fit o* r h r "on(tai#! so h t%'' $ on th #astic )an$. 5 r )#on$ hair t%m)# $ $own h r sho%#$ rs. Now sh f #t s #f7conscio%s. 5 r hair was a com"# t ) ast. Sh n * r wor it $own. B%t Mi# s&s ( s #it %" as h "#ac $ th )onn t on h r h a$. EM&#a$(.G 5 'a##ant#( h #$ o%t his han$. EMi'ht I ha* th "# as%r of accom"an(in' (o% into this fair cit(HG If L%c ha$ ) n h r ! )ack wh n a## thr of th m w r sti## A%st 'oo$ fri n$s an$ thin's w r a #itt# # ss com"#icat $! Sh #)( wo%#$ ha* known A%st how to Aok )ack. L%c wo%#$ ha* "%t on h r sw t! $ m%r $ams #7 in7$istr ss *oic an$ ca## $ Mi# s h r kni'ht in shinin' armor or som cra" #ik that! to which Sh #)( co%#$ ha* a$$ $ som thin' sarcastic! an$ th n * r(on wo%#$ ha* )%rst o%t #a%'hin'! an$ th w ir$ t nsion Sh #)( f #t across h r sho%#$ rs! th ti'htn ss in h r ch stBit wo%#$ ha* 'on awa(. E* r(thin' wo%#$ ha* f #t norma#! who# . B%t it was A%st Sh #)( an$ Mi# s. To' th r. A#on . Th ( t%rn $ to fac th )#ack ston wa##s aro%n$ th cit(! which s%rro%n$ $ a hi'h c ntra# k ". Mari'o#$7co#or $ f#a's h%n' from iron "o# s in th ta## ston tow r. Th air sm ## $ #ik coa# an$ mo#$( ha(. M%sic cam from insi$ th wa##sBa #(r ma() ! som soft7skinn $ $r%ms. An$ som wh r in th r ! Sh #)( ho" $! was an an' # whos Anno%nc r co%#$ tak th two of th m )ack to th "r s nt! wh r th ( ) #on' $. Mi# s was sti## ho#$in' o%t his han$! 'aCin' at h r #ik h ha$ no i$ a how $ " )#% his ( s w r . Sh took a $ " )r ath an$ s#i"" $ h r "a#m insi$ his. 5 'a* h r

han$ a #itt# s8% C an$ th two of th m stro## $ into town.

T?O

BINARRE BANAAR

2on

was th " ac f%# co%ntr(si$ . Inst a$! A%st o%tsi$ th cit( 'at s! th r was a 'r at )%st#in'! with mak shift t nts s t %" a#on' th 'r nBwhich was mor a 'ra(ish )rown now! in wint rBon )oth si$ s of th roa$ # a$in' to th ta## )#ack cit( wa##s. Th t nts w r c# ar#( "art of a t m"orar( s t%"! #ik a w k n$7#on' f sti*a# or som thin'. Th ha""( chaos of th " o"# mi##in' aro%n$ r min$ $ Sh #)( a #itt# of Bonnaroo! which sh ha$ s n "ict%r s of on th Int rn t. Sh st%$i $ what " o"# w r w arin'B a""ar nt#( th wim"# #ook was in. Sh $i$n&t think sh an$ Mi# s st%ck o%t too )a$#(. Th ( Aoin $ th crow$ "assin' thro%'h th 'at s an$ fo##ow $ th f#ow of " o"# ! which s m $ to mo* in on#( on $ir ction9 towar$ th mark t in th c ntra# s8%ar . T%rr ts ros ) for th m! "art of a 'ran$ cast# n ar th far #imits of th cit( wa##s. Th s8%ar &s corn rston was a mo$ st )%t attracti* ar#(72othic ch%rch JSh #)( r co'niC $ th s"in$#( tow rsK. A maC of narrow 'ra( str ts an$ a## (s s#ic $ off from th mark t s8%ar ! which was crow$ $! chaotic! stinkin'! an$ *i)rant! th kin$ of "#ac wh r (o% w nt to fin$ an(thin' an$ an(on . ELin nF Two )o#ts for t n" nc FG E0an$# sticksF On of a kin$FG EBar# ( ) rF Fr sh )ar# ( ) rFG

Sh #)( an$ Mi# s ha$ to # a" o%t of th wa( to a*oi$ th stock( friar "%shin' a cart with arth nwar A%'s of )ar# ( ) r. Th ( watch $ his )roa$! 'ra(7ro) $ )ack as h c%t a "ath thro%'h th crow$ $ mark t. Sh #)( start $ to fo##ow him! A%st to ' t a #itt# s"ac ! )%t a mom nt #at r! th sm ##( mass of chatt rin' citiC ns fi## $ th 'a". It was n ar#( im"ossi)# to tak a st " witho%t )%m"in' into som on . Th r w r so man( " o"# in th s8%ar Bha''#in'! 'ossi"in'! swattin' chi#$r n&s thi *in' han$s awa( from th a""# s for sa# Bthat no on "ai$ att ntion to Mi# s an$ Sh #)( at a##. E5ow ar w * r 'oin' to fin$ an(on w know in this c ss"oo#HG Sh #)( h #$ ti'ht to Mi# s&s han$ as th t nth " rson st "" $ on h r foot. This was wors than that 2r n 4a( conc rt in Oak#an$ wh r Sh #)( )r%is $ two ri)s in th mosh "it. Mi# s cran $ his n ck. EI $on&t know. Ma() * r(on knows * r(on #s HG 5 was ta## r than most of th citiC ns! so it wasn&t as )a$ for him. 5 ha$ fr sh air an$ a c# ar si'ht #in ! )%t sh was f #in' a c#a%stro"ho)ic fit comin' on9 Sh f #t th t ##ta# f#%sh cr " across h r ch ks. Frantica##(! sh t%'' $ at th hi'h co##ar of h r $r ss! h arin' a f w stitch s sna". E5ow $o " o"# )r ath in th s thin'sHG EIn thro%'h (o%r nos ! o%t thro%'h (o%r mo%th!G Mi# s instr%ct $! $ monstratin' his own a$*ic for a s con$ ) for th st nch forc $ him to wrink# his nos . EEr. Look! th r &s a w ## o* r th r . 5ow a)o%t a $rinkHG E? &## "ro)a)#( ' t cho# ra!G Sh #)( m%tt r $! )%t h was a#r a$( mo*in' awa(! "%##in' h r ) hin$ him. Th ( $i"" $ %n$ r a sa''in' c#oth s#in $am" with hom s"%n c#oth s! st "" $ o* r a sma## "ara$ of scra''#(! c#%ckin' )#ack roost rs! an$ an'# $ "ast a "air of r $h a$ $ )roth rs " $$#in' " ars ) for th ( n$ $ %" at th w ##. It was an archaic thin'Ba rin' of ston s aro%n$

a ho# ! with a woo$ n tri"o$ s t %" o* r th o" nin'. A moss( )%ck t $an'# $ from a "rimiti* "%## (. Aft r a f w s con$s! Sh #)( co%#$ )r ath a'ain. EP o"# $rink from that thin'HG Now sh co%#$ s that tho%'h th mark t took %" most of th o" n s8%ar ! it wasn&t th on#( show in town. A 'ro%" of m $i *a# mann 8%ins ro) $ in )%r#a" ha$ ) n s t %" on on si$ of th w ##. Yo%n' )o(s "ractic $ wi #$in' woo$ n swor$s! ti#tin' at th anc stors of crash7t st $%mmi s #ik kni'hts in trainin'. ?an$ rin' minstr #s stro## $ th $' s of th mark t! sin'in' stran' #( "r tt( son's. E* n th w ## was its own #itt# $ stination. Sh saw now that th r was a woo$ n crank to rais th )%ck t. A )o( in skinti'ht )%ckskin # ''in's ha$ $i"" $ a #a$# of wat r from th )%ck t an$ was ho#$in' it o%t to a 'ir# with normo%s wi$ 7s t ( s an$ a ho##( )ranch t%ck $ ) hin$ h r ar. Sh $rain $ th #a$# in a f w thirst( '%#"s! 'aCin' #o*in'#( at th )o( th who# tim ! o)#i*io%s to th wat r $ri""in' $own h r chin an$ onto h r ) a%tif%# cr am 'own. ?h n sh was finish $! th )o( "ass $ th #a$# to Mi# s with a wink. Sh #)( wasn&t s%r sh #ik $ what that wink insin%at $! )%t sh was too thirst( to mak a sc n . E5 r for th St. @a# ntin &s Fair ! ar (o%HG th 'ir# ask $ Sh #)( in a *oic as "#aci$ as a #ak . EI! %h! w BG EIn$ $!G Mi# s A%m" $ in! a$o"tin' a horri)# fak British acc nt. E?h n $o th c # )rations comm nc HG 5 so%n$ $ ri$ic%#o%s. B%t Sh #)( swa##ow $ h r #a%'h to a*oi$ 'i*in' him awa(. Sh wasn&t s%r what wo%#$ ha"" n if th ( w r fo%n$ o%t! )%t sh &$ r a$ of im"a#in's! of tort%r $ *ic s #ik th wh # an$ th rack. Li" )a#m!

Sh #)(. Sta( "ositi* . 5ot cocoa an$ s%n sa#%tations an$ r a#it( T@. Foc%s on that. Th ( w r 'oin' to ' t o%t of
h r . Th ( ha$ to. Th )o( $ra" $ an arm a$orin'#( aro%n$ th 'ir#&s waist.

EAnon. Tomorrow is th ho#i$a(.G Th 'ir# sw "t h r han$ across th mark t"#ac . EB%t as (o% can s ! most of th sw th arts ha* a#r a$( arri* $.G Sh to%ch $ Sh #)(&s sho%#$ r "#a(f%##(. E4on&t for' t to $ro" (o%r nam in 0%"i$&s Urn ) for th s%n s tsFG EOh! ri'ht. Yo% too!G Sh #)( m%tt r $ awkwar$#(! #ik sh a#wa(s $i$ wh n th " o"# at th air"ort ch ck7in co%nt r to#$ h r to ha* a 'oo$ tri". Sh )it th insi$ of h r ch k as th 'ir# an$ )o( wa* $ 'oo$)( ! arms sti## #ink $ as th ( sa%nt r $ $own th str t. Mi# s 'ri"" $ h r arm. EIsn&t that 'r atH A @a# ntin &s fairFG This! comin' from a )as )a##7"#a(in' )o(7n +t7$oor whom Sh #)( onc watch $ at nin hot $o's in a sin'# sittin'. Sinc wh n $i$ Mi# s ' t AaCC $ a)o%t a sa""( @a# ntin &s 4a( "art(H Sh was a)o%t to sa( som thin' sarcastic wh n sh saw that Mi# s #ook $Bw ## L ho" f%#. Lik h act%a##( want $ to 'o. ?ith h rH For som r ason! sh $i$n&t want to cr%sh him. ES%r . 2r at.G Sh #)( shr%'' $ noncha#ant#(. ESo%n$s #ik f%n.G ENo.G Mi# s shook his h a$. EI m ant L th fa## n an' #s ar )o%n$ to ) th r ! if th (&r 'oin' to ) an(wh r . That&s wh r w &## fin$ som on who wi## h #" %s ' t hom .G EOh.G Sh #)( c# ar $ h r throat. Of co%rs that was what h m ant. EY ah! 'oo$ "oint.G E?hat&s wron'HG Mi# s $i"" $ th #a$# into th w ## an$ h #$ th coo# c%" of wat r %" to Sh #)(&s #i"s. 5 sto"" $ an$ wi" $ th $' c# an with his s# * ! th n h #$ it o%t a'ain. Sh #)( f #t h rs #f )#%shin' for no r ason! so sh c#os $ h r ( s an$ $rank $ "#(! ho"in' sh wo%#$n&t catch som sort of with rin' sickn ss an$ $i . Aft r sh &$ finish $! sh sai$! ENothin'.G Mi# s $i"" $ th #a$# a'ain an$ $rank a )i' '%#"! his

( s scannin' th crow$. ELookBG h sai$! $ro""in' th #a$# )ack into th )%ck t. 5 "oint $ ) hin$ Sh #)( to a rais $ "#atform at th $' of th mark t sta##s wh r thr 'ir#s w r h%$$# $ to' th r! $o%)# $ o* r in fits of 'i''# s. B tw n th m was a ta## " wt r "ot with a f#%t $ rim. It #ook $ o#$ as $irt an$ "r tt( %'#(! th kin$ of +" nsi* EartworkG Franc sca mi'ht ha* in h r offic at Shor #in . EThat m%st ) 0%"i$&s Urn!G Mi# s sai$. EOh! ( s! o)*io%s#(. 0%"i$&s Urn.G Sh #)( no$$ $ sarcastica##(. E?hat th h ck $o s that m anH ?o%#$n&t 0%"i$ ha* ) tt r tast HG EIt&s a tra$ition carri $ o* r from th c#assica# $a(s of Rom !G Mi# s sai$! 'oin' into scho#ar#( mo$ as %s%a#. Tra* #in' with him was #ik carr(in' aro%n$ an nc(c#o" $ia. EB for @a# ntin &s 4a( was @a# ntin &s 4a(!G h w nt on! his *oic tin' $ with +cit m nt! Eit was ca## $ L%" rca#iaBG ELoo" rBG Sh wa* $ a han$! workin' o%t a )a$ "%n. Th n sh saw Mi# s&s +"r ssion. So arn st an$ sinc r . R 'ist rin' h r ( s on his fac ! h r ach $ %" instincti* #( to t%' his )as )a## ca" $own o* r his ( s. 5is n r*o%s ha)it. B%t his han$s m t on#( air. 5 f#inch $ as if m)arrass $ an$ tri $ to st%ff his han$ in his A ans "ock t! )%t th coars )#% c#oak co* r $ his "ants! so a## h co%#$ $o was cross his arms o* r his ch st. EYo% miss it! $on&t (o%HG Sh #)( ask $. E?hatHG EYo%r hat.G EThat o#$ thin'HG 5 shr%'' $ too 8%ick#(. ENah. 5a* n&t * n tho%'ht a)o%t it.G 5 #ook $ awa(! castin' his ( s m"ti#( aro%n$ th s8%ar . Sh #)( "%t h r han$ on his arm. E?hat w r (o% sa(in' a)o%t Loo" r L %m! (o% knowHG 5is ( s f#ick $ )ack to h rs! $%)io%s. EYo% r a##( want

to knowHG E4o s th "o" w ar Pra$aHG Now h smi# $. EL%" rca#ia was r a##( A%st a "a'an c # )ration of f rti#it( an$ th comin' of s"rin'. A## th #i'i)# wom n in th town wo%#$ writ th ir nam s on stri"s of "archm nt an$ $ro" th m into th %rnB#ik that on th r . ?h n th )ach #ors $r w from th %rn! who * r&s nam th ( "%## $ o%t wo%#$ ) th ir sw th art for th ( ar.G EThat&s )ar)aricFG Sh #)( cri $. No wa( was som %rn 'oin' to t ## h r who to 'o o%t with. Sh co%#$ mak h r own mistak s! thank (o%. EI think it&s sw t.G Mi# s shr%'' $! #ookin' awa(. EYo% $oHG Sh #)(&s h a$ swi* # $ )ack to him. EI m an! I '% ss it co%#$ ) coo#. B%t this %rn tra$ition com s ) for th f sti*a# ha$ an(thin' to $o with Saint @a# ntin ! ri'htHG ERi'ht!G Mi# s sai$. EE* nt%a##( th ch%rch 'ot in*o#* $. Th ( want $ to )rin' th "a'an c # )ration %n$ r th ir contro#! so th ( attach $ a "atron saint. Th ( $i$ that a #ot with o#$ ho#i$a(s an$ tra$itions. Lik it wasn&t a thr at if th ( own $ it.G ET("ica# ma# s.G ENow! in his #if ! th r a# @a# ntin was known as a $ f n$ r of romanc . P o"# who co%#$n&t # 'a##( ' t marri $Bso#$i rs! for instanc Bcam to him from a## o* r an$ h &$ " rform th c r mon( in s cr t.G Sh #)( shook h r h a$. E5ow $o (o% know a## this st%ffH Or rath r! wh(HG EL%c !G Mi# s sai$! not m tin' Sh #)(&s ( s. EOh.G Sh #)( f #t #ik som on ha$ A%st st%ff $ a stiff fist into h r '%t. EYo% # arn $ a)o%t th histor( of @a# ntin &s 4a( to im"r ss L%c HG Sh kick $ th $irt. EI '% ss som 'ir#s $i' n r$s.G ENo! Sh #)(. I m anGBMi# s 'ri"" $ h r sho%#$ rs an$ "i*ot $ h r to fac th "#atform with th %rn. EIt&s L%c . Ri'ht o* r th r .G

L%c wor a #i'ht )rown $r ss with a wi$ skirt. 5 r #on' )#ack hair was )rai$ $ into thr thick "#aits! h #$ to' th r with narrow whit ri))ons. 5 r skin #ook $ "a# r than %s%a#! with a frost( "ink f#%sh $ottin' h r ch k)on s. Sh was circ#in' th %rn in s#ow! m $itati* st "s! stan$in' a"art from th oth r 'ir#s. In th chaos of th s8%ar ! L%c s m $ to ) th on#( " rson who was a#on . 5 r ( s ha$ that soft! %nfoc%s $ #ook th ( 'ot wh n sh was in th tranc of h r tho%'hts. ESh #)(BwaitFG Sh #)( was a#r a$( ha#fwa( across th s8%ar ! a#most r%nnin' towar$ L%c ! wh n Mi# s c#as" $ a ti'ht han$ aro%n$ h r wrist. 5 "%## $ h r to a sto"! an$ sh t%rn $! r a$( to #a( into him. E+c "t his +"r ssion L '#ow $ with som thin' Sh #)( co%#$n&t $ ci"h r. EYo% know this is th L%cin$a of th "ast. This 'ir# is not o%r fri n$. Sh won&t know (o%BG Sh #)( ha$n&t tho%'ht a)o%t that. Sh "r t n$ $ sh ha$. Sh t%rn $ an$ took anoth r har$ #ook at L%cin$a. 5 r hair was $irt(Bnot 'r as(! )%t som thin' ) (on$ 'r as(! r a##( $irt(Bon thin' L%c Pric wo%#$ n * r a)i$ . 5 r c#oth s fit h r stran' #(! from Sh #)(&s mo$ rn stan$"oint! )%t L%cin$a s m $ comforta)# in th m. Sh s m $ comforta)# in * r(thin'! act%a##(! which was a#so not * r( L%c Pric . Sh #)( tho%'ht of L%c as chronica##(Btho%'h charmin'#(Bma#a$A%st $. It was on of th thin's sh #o* $ a)o%t L%c . B%t this 'ir#H This 'ir# s m $ comforta)# * n in th $ s" rat sa$n ss sat%ratin' * r( mo* m nt sh ma$ . As if sh was as acc%stom $ to f #in' '#%m as sh was to th s%n risin' * r( $a(. 4i$n&t sh ha* fri n$s to ch r h r %"H ?asn&t that what fri n$s w r forH EMi# s!G Sh #)( sai$! 'ras"in' his fr wrist in h r own han$ an$ # anin' c#os . EI know w a'r $ to # t 4ani # fin$ o%r L%cin$a Pric ! )%t this 'ir# is sti## th L%cin$a w car a)o%t L or an ar#i r * rsion of h r. An$ th # ast w can

$o is ch r h r %". Look how )%mm $ sh is. Look.G 5 )it his #i". EB%tB)%tB * r(thin' w &* # arn $ a)o%t Anno%nc rs sa(s (o% sho%#$n&t m ss withBG E5iii th r FG Sh #)( sai$ in a sin'son'! "%##in' Mi# s a#on' %nti# th ( arri* $ at L%cin$a&s si$ . Sh $i$n&t know wh r th So%th rn ) ## acc nt ha$ com from! oth r than h arin' "r s nt7$a( L%c &s mom&s $raw# at Thanks'i*in' )ack in 2 or'ia. An$ sh ha$ no i$ a what " o"# h r in this m $i *a# British wor#$ wo%#$ mak of h r so%n$in' #ik a 2 or'ia $ )! )%t it was too #at now. A f w f t ) hin$ h r! Mi# s shook his h a$ in horror. It was an acci$ ntF Sh #)( to#$ him with h r ( s. L%cin$a ha$n&t * n notic $Bthat was how #ost in sa$n ss sh was. Sh #)( ha$ to st " %" ri'ht in front of h r an$ wa* a han$ in h r fac . EOh!G L%cin$a sai$! )#inkin' at Sh #)( with no hint of r co'nition. E2oo$ $a(.G It sho%#$n&t ha* h%rt Sh #)(&s f #in's! )%t it $i$. E57ha* n&t w m t ) for HG Sh #)( stamm r $. EI think m( co%sin from! r! ?in$sor knows an %nc# on (o%r fath r&s si$ of th fami#( L or ma() it was th oth r wa( aro%n$.G EI&m sorr(! I $on&t ) #i * so! tho%'h " rha"sBG EYo%&r L%cin$a! ri'htHG L%cin$a start $! an$ for a mom nt th r was a fami#iar s"ark in h r ( s. EY s.G Sh #)( "r ss $ a han$ to h r h art. EI&m Sh #)(. This is Mi# s.G ES%ch %ni8% nam s. Yo% m%st ha* tra* # $ from th NorthHG ES%r .G Sh #)( shr%'' $. E@ r(! * r( far north. So! w &* n * r ) n to L ( o#$ @a# ntin &s Fair h r ) for . Ar (o% $ro""in' (o%r nam in th %rnHG EM HG L%cin$a swa##ow $! to%chin' th ho##ow of h r throat. ETh i$ a that a strok of chanc co%#$ $ ci$ m( h art&s $ stin( $o s not a"" a# to m .G

ES"ok n #ik a 'ir# who&s 'ot h rs #f a st%$#( )o(fri n$FG Sh #)( n%$' $ L%cin$a! for' ttin' th ( w r stran' rs! for' ttin' that h r wor$s mi'ht ) coars an$ h r sarcasm for i'n to L%cin$a&s m $i *a# s nsi)i#iti s. EI m an L is th r a kni'ht (o% fanc(! #a$(HG EI was in #o* !G L%cin$a sai$ som) r#(. E?asHG Sh #)( r " at $. EYo% m an ar in #o* .G EI was. B%t h &s 'on .G E4ani # # ft (o%HG Mi# s was r $ in th fac . EI m anB what was his nam HG B%t L%cin$a $i$n&t s m to ha* h ar$. E? m t in th ros 'ar$ n of his #or$&s cast# . I m%st a$mit that I was tr s"assin'! )%t I ha$ s n so man( fin #a$i s com an$ 'o! an$ th 'at was o" n! an$ th f#ow rs so! so com #( BG Sh c#as" $ h r han$s to h r h art an$ si'h $ with $ " r 'r t. EThat first $a(! h mistook m for a 'ir# of hi'h r stat%r . Of c#ass. I ha$ m( ) st kirt# on! m( hair wo* n with hawthorn f#ow rs! as som #a$i s $o. It $i$ #ook fin ! )%t I f ar it was $ishon st.G EOh! L%cin$a!G Sh #)( sai$. EI&m s%r (o%&r a #a$( in his ( sFG E4ani # is a kni'ht. 5 m%st marr( a fittin' #a$(. M( fami#(! w ar common. M( fath r is a fr man! )%t h 'rows 'rain! A%st as his fath r $i$.G Sh )#ink $ an$ a t ar s#i$ $own h r ch k. EI n * r * n to#$ m( #o* m( nam .G EIf h #o* $ (o%Ban$ I&m s%r h $o sBh &## know (o%r tr% nam !G Mi# s sai$. L%cin$a sh%$$ r $ as sh took a )r ath. ETh n! #ast w k! as "art of his kni'ht#( $%t( to th #or$! h Bh cam )( m( fath r&s $oor to 'ath r ''s for th #or$&s @a# ntin f ast. It was th anni* rsar( of m( christ nin'. ? w r c # )ratin'. To s m( #o* &s fac wh n h saw m in o%r m a' r hom L I tri $ to sto" him 'oin'! )%t h took his # a* witho%t a wor$. I&* #ook $ for him in a## o%r s cr t

"#ac sBth ho##ow $ oak tr in th for st! th north rn frin' of th ros 'ar$ n at $%skB)%t I ha* not s n him sinc .G Sh #)( an$ Mi# s shar $ a #ook. O)*io%s#(! 4ani # $i$n&t car a)o%t what kin$ of fami#( L%cin$a cam from. It was th anni* rsar(Bth fact that sh was ' ttin' c#os r to th #imits of h r c%rs Bthat ha$ s"ook $ him. B( now Sh #)( was fami#iar with th wa( 4ani # som tim s tri $ to "%## awa( from L%c wh n h kn w h r $ ath was n ar. 5 )rok h r h art to sa* h r #if . 5 was "ro)a)#( mo"in' aro%n$ som wh r ! )rok nh art $! too. It ha$ to ) that wa(. This 'ir# stan$in' ) for Sh #)( ha$ to $i ! ma() a h%n$r $ tim s ) for th #if tim wh n Sh #)( kn w L%c Bth #if tim wh n L%c 'ot h r first chanc to )r ak h r c%rs . It wasn&t fair. It wasn&t fair that sh ha$ to $i a'ain an$ a'ain! an$ ha$ to 'o thro%'h "ain #ik this at so man( mom nts in ) tw n. Mor than an(on ! L%cin$a $ s r* $ to ) ha""(. Sh #)( want $ to $o som thin' for L%cin$a! * n if it was som thin' sma##. Sh '#anc $ at Mi# s a'ain. 5 rais $ on ( )row in a wa( Sh #)( ho" $ m ant Ar (o% thinkin' what I&m thinkin'H Sh no$$ $. EThis is on#( a )i' mis%n$ rstan$in'!G Sh #)( sai$. E? know 4ani #.G EYo% $oHG L%cin$a #ook $ s%r"ris $. ET ## (o% what9 Yo% 'o to th fair tomorrow! an$ I&m s%r 4ani # wi## ) th r ! too! an$ (o% '%(s can A%stBG L%cin$a&s #i" 8%i* r $! an$ sh )%ri $ h r fac in Sh #)(&s sho%#$ r as sh ) 'an to w ". EI co%#$ not ) ar to s him $raw anoth r&s nam from th %rn.G EL%cin$a!G Mi# s sai$ so warm#( that th 'ir#&s ( s c# ar $ an$ sh #ook $ at him in th intimat wa( L%c som tim s #ook $ at him. It ma$ Sh #)( stran' #( A a#o%s. Sh #)( #ook $ awa( as Mi# s ask $! EYo% ) #i * that

4ani # tr%#( #o* s (o%HG L%cin$a no$$ $. EAn$ in (o%r h art!G Mi# s w nt on! E$o (o% r a##( ) #i * that th conn ction (o% ha* with 4ani # is so w ak that (o%r fami#(&s "osition mi'ht s * r th )on$HG E5 Bh $o s not ha* a choic . It is writt n in th Kni'hts& 0o$ . 5 m%st marr( aBG EL%c F 4on&t (o% know that (o%r #o* is stron' r than som $%m) co$ HG Sh #)( )#%rt $ o%t. L%cin$a rais $ an ( )row. E0om a'ainHG sh ask $. Mi# s shot Sh #)( a warnin' '#anc . EI m an! rm L tr% #o* r%ns $ " r an$ stron' r than m r socia# nic ti s. If (o% #o* 4ani #! th n (o% m%st t ## him how (o% f #.G EI f # o$$.G L%cin$a was f#%sh $! ho#$in' a han$ o* r h r )r ast. Sh c#os $ h r ( s! an$ for a mom nt Sh #)( tho%'ht sh was 'oin' to )%rn %" ri'ht th n an$ th r . Sh #)( took a st " )ack. B%t that wasn&t how it work $! was itH L%c &s c%rs ha$ som thin' to $o with th wa( sh an$ 4ani # int ract $! som thin' his "r s nc awak n $ in h r. EI want to ) #i * that what (o% sa( is tr% . I $o f # s%$$ n#( that o%r #o* is * r( stron'.G EStron' no%'h that if w )ro%'ht 4ani # to (o% at th f sti*a# tomorrow!G Sh #)( sai$! E(o% wo%#$ 'o to himHG L%cin$a o" n $ h r ( s. Th ( w r wi#$ an$ wi$ an$ )ri##iant#( haC #. EI wo%#$ 'o. I wo%#$ 'o an(wh r in th wor#$ to ) with him a'ain.G

T5REE

5IS S?OR4! 5IS ?OR4

EThat was )ri##iantFG Sh

#)( cri $ wh n L%cin$a ha$ 'on an$ sh an$ Mi# s w r a#on at th w ##. In th w st rn sk(! th s%n&s ra(s ha$ t%rn $ "a# . Most of th citiC ns w r makin' th ir wa( hom ! carts an$ satch #s h a*( with "ro*isions for th * nin'&s s%"" r. Sh #)( ha$n&t at n in a #on' tim ! )%t sh har$#( notic $ th sc nts of roastin' chick n an$ )oi#in' "otato s in th air. Sh was r%nnin' on th f%m s of h r +cit m nt. EYo% an$ I w r com"# t #( on th sam "a' )ack th r . It was #ik I tho%'ht som thin'! an$ (o% sai$ itB#ik a craC( rh(thm w 'ot intoFG EI know.G Mi# s "#%n' $ th #a$# into th )%ck t an$ took a #on'! s#ow $rink of wat r. 5is fr ck# s ha$ com o%t in th s%n#i'ht. Sh #)( was sti## ' ttin' %s $ to how $iff r nt h #ook $ witho%t his )as )a## ca". EYo% w r ri'htBit f #t 'oo$ to mak L%c f # ) tt r. E* n if sh &s not o%r L%c .G For a s con$! Mi# s&s h a$ A rk $ to th # ft! as if h &$ h ar$ som thin'. 5is )o$( stiff n $. E?hat is itHG Sh #)( ask $. B%t th n his sho%#$ rs s#%m" $ a #itt# #ow r than th ir norma# cas%a# mo$ . ENothin'. I tho%'ht I saw an Anno%nc r! )%t it was nothin'.G Sh #)( $i$n&t want to think a)o%t Anno%nc rsI sh was too +cit $. EYo% know what wo%#$ ) amaCin'HG sh sai$!

sittin' $own on th $' of th w ##. E? co%#$ 'o sho""in' for th m )oth! ' t som #ac( trink t for L%c an$ t ## h r it&s from 4ani #. I co%#$ writ som c%t "o mB&ros s ar r $& or what * rBh (! that&$ "ro)a)#( ) n w to th s m $i *a# r%) s. An$ w co%#$BG ESh #)(HG Mi# s int rr%"t $ h r. E?hat a)o%t ' ttin' hom H ? $on&t ) #on' h r ! r m m) rH ? &* a#r a$( h #" $ L%cin$a )( 'i*in' h r ho" to 'o to th @a# ntin &s Fair ! )%t w can&t r a##( $o m%ch #s to chan' th wa( h r c%rs "#a(s o%t. ? n $ to fin$ an Anno%nc r.G E? ##! (o% know wh r * r L%c is! th r st of th m ar )o%n$ to ) n ar)(!G Sh #)( sai$ 8%ick#(. EIf w co%#$ A%st fin$ 4ani #! it wo%#$ ) ! #ik ! two )ir$s! on ston . 5 &$ 'o to th Fair I w &$ fin$ o%r wa( )ack to Shor #in .G EI $on&t know if it wo%#$ ) that as( to ' t 4ani # to that Fair .G ETh n w can&t 'o hom F Not %nti# w mak 'oo$ on o%r "romis to L%c F I $on&t want to ) on mor " rson who # ts h r $own.G Sh #)( f #t s%$$ n#( $ f#at $. ESh $ s r* s ) tt r.G Mi# s s#ow#( +ha# $. 5 "ac $ aro%n$ th w ##! )row f%rrow $Bhis thinkin' fac . EYo%&r ri'ht!G h sai$ fina##(. E?hat&s on mor $a(HG ER a##(HG Sh #)( s8% a# $. EB%t wh r ar w 'oin' to fin$ 4ani #H 4i$n&t L%cin$a sa( som thin' a)o%t a cast# HG Mi# s sai$. E? co%#$ fin$ it an$BG EKnowin' 4ani #! h co%#$ ) mo"in' aro%n$ an(wh r . An$ I $o m an an(wh r .G Sh #)( h ar$ th so%n$ of hors s& hoo* s an$ t%rn $ h r h a$ towar$ th wi$ c ntra# "athwa( thro%'h th mark t"#ac . Past th m rchants& sta##s! which w r ) in' sh%t $own for th * nin'! sh ca%'ht a '#im"s of a r 'a#! snow7whit hors . ?h n it "ass $ th #ast m rchant&s awnin' an$ cam into o" n *i w! Sh #)( 'as" $.

Th fi'%r in th )#ack # ath r sa$$# #in $ with rmin B whom Sh #)(! Mi# s! an$ most of th towns" o"# watch $ in %na)ash $ aw Bwas tr%#( a kni'ht in shinin' armor. Broa$7sho%#$ r $! his i$ ntit( o)sc%r $ )( his *isor! th kni'ht ro$ thro%'h th s8%ar with a comman$in' air of no)i#it(. Th ri* t $ st # "#at s ) 'an at his f t! which w r st a$i $ in two sto%t stirr%"s. 5is # 's w r ncas $ in "o#ish $ 'r a* s! an$ his mai# coat was c%t so c#os it c#%n' to his m%sc%#ar si$ s. 5is m ta# h #m t ha$ a f#at to"! with two c%r* $ "#at s m tin' in an an'# $ s a# o* r his nos . Th r w r tin( )r athin' ho# s in th front of th *isor an$ a narrow s#it across his ( s. It was a#armin'9 5 co%#$ s th m! )%t th ( co%#$ on#( s th )#in$in' o%twar$ *i$ nc of him. A sh ath fast n $ at his # ft si$ carri $ a swor$! an$ o* r his armor h wor a #on' whit t%nic with a r $ cross across th ch st #ik on Sh #)( tho%'ht sh &$ s n in a Mont( P(thon mo*i . E?h( $on&t w ask himHG Sh #)( sai$. ES rio%s#(HG Sh #)( fa#t r $. S%r ! sh was n r*o%s a)o%t a""roachin' a r a# #i* kni'ht. B%t how #s w r th ( 'oin' to fin$ 4ani #H E4o (o% ha* a ) tt r i$ aHG Sh "oint $ at th #oomin' fi'%r . E5 &s a kni'ht. 4ani #&s a kni'ht. 0hanc s ar th (&r 'onna r%n in th sam chi*a#ric circ# ! ri'htHG EOka(! oka(. An$ Sh #HG Mi# s inha# $ ha#fwa(! som thin' h $i$ wh n h was n r*o%s. Or wh n h tho%'ht h mi'ht ) a)o%t to h%rt Sh #)(&s f #in's. ETr( not to %s th 2 or'ia " ach acc nt! oka(H It mi'ht ha* ro## $ ri'ht o* r #o* 7str%ck L%cin$a&s h a$! )%t w n $ to ) mor car f%# a)o%t )# n$in' in. R m m) r what Ro#an$ sai$ a)o%t m ssin' with th "ast.G EI&m )# n$in'! I&m )# n$in'.G Sh #)( ho"" $ off th $' of th w ##! strai'ht n $ h r sho%#$ rs #ik sh ima'in $ a "ro" r #a$( mi'ht $o! 'a* Mi# s a wink that f #t a #itt#

awkwar$! an$ stro$ towar$ th kni'ht. B%t sh &$ tak n A%st two short stri$ s wh n th kni'ht t%rn $ to fac h r! #ift $ his *isor! an$ narrow $ his $ark ( s into a '#ar Ba '#ar that Sh #)( ha$ arn $ s * ra# tim s ) for . S" ak of th $ *i#. 5a$n&t Mi# s A%st m ntion $ Ro#an$ S"arksH Ro#an$ '#anc $ )ack an$ forth ) tw n Sh #)( an$ Mi# s. 5 c# ar#( r co'niC $ th m! which m ant this was th Ro#an$ of th ir "r s nt7$a( ra! th ir Ro#an$! th on th (&$ #ast s n in L%cin$a Pric &s )att# 7)#ast $ )ack(ar$. ?hich m ant th ( w r in tro%)# . E?hat ar (o% two $oin' h r HG Mi# s was at Sh #)(&s si$ instant#(! his han$s "rot cti* #( aro%n$ h r sho%#$ rs. It was r a##( $ c nt of him! #ik h wasn&t 'oin' to # t h r ' t )%st $ a#on . E? &r #ookin' for 4ani #!G h sai$. E0an (o% h #" %sH 4o (o% know wh r h isHG E5 #" (o%H Fin$ 4ani #HG Ro#an$ 'a* th m a )aff# $ 8%irk of his $ark ( )rows. E4on&t (o% m an L%c ! th morta# 'ir# #ost in h r own Anno%nc rsH Yo% ki$s ar in wa( o* r (o%r h a$.G E? know! w know! w $on&t ) #on' h r .G Sh #)( "%t on h r most r " ntant ton . E? 'ot h r )( acci$ nt!G sh a$$ $! starin' %" at Ro#an$ on his incr $i)# whit hors . Sh &$ ha$ no i$ a hors s w r so h%' . E? &r tr(in' to ' t hom ! )%t w &r ha*in' tro%)# fin$in' an Anno%nc rBG EOf co%rs (o% ar .G Ro#an$ h%ff $. ELik I $on&t ha* no%'h o)#i'ations! now I&* 'ot to )a)(sit! too.G 5 rais $ a '#o* $ han$ cas%a##(. EI&## s%mmon on for (o%.G E?ait.G Mi# s st "" $ forwar$! int rr%"tin' Ro#an$. E? tho%'ht! whi# w w r h r ! w co%#$ ma() ! %m! $o on nic thin' for L%cin$a. Yo% know! th L%cin$a of this ra. Nothin' maAor! A%st mak h r #if a #itt# )ri'ht r. 4ani # $itch $ h rBG EYo% know how h ' ts som tim sBG Sh #)( c%t in.

E5o#$ %". Yo% saw L%cin$aHG Ro#an$ ask $. ESh was $ *astat $!G Mi# s sai$. EAn$ tomorrow is @a# ntin &s 4a(!G Sh #)( a$$ $. Th st $ n i'h $! an$ Ro#an$ st a$i $ it with th r ins. E?as sh c#o* nHG Sh #)( wrink# $ h r nos . E?as sh whatHG E?as sh a %nion of h r "ast an$ "r s nt s #* sHG EYo% m an #ik BG Sh #)( was thinkin' of th wa( 4ani # ha$ #ook $ in 1 r%sa# m! #ost an$ o%t of foc%s! #ik a =74 mo*i with th '#ass s off. B%t ) for sh co%#$ answ r! Mi# s&s sho cr%nch $ $own on h r to s. If Ro#an$ $i$n&t #ik th m ) in' h r ! h s%r wasn&t 'oin' to #ik th fact that th (&$ ) n tra* #in' aro%n$ *ia th Anno%nc rs sort of * r(wh r . EShhh!G Mi# s whis" r $ thro%'h th si$ of his mo%th. ELook! it&s "r tt( sim"# 9 4i$ sh r co'niC (o%HG Ro#an$ "r ss $. Sh #)( si'h $. ENo.G ENo!G Mi# s sai$. ETh n sh &s th L%c of this tim an$ w sho%#$n&t int rf r .G Ro#an$ ( $ th m with frank s%s"icion )%t sai$ no mor . On of his #on' 'o#$ n7)#ack $r a$#ocks cam #oos from its #astic an$ t%m)# $ from th r c ss s of his h #m t. 5 t%ck $ it awa( an$ #ook $ aro%n$ th cit( s8%ar ! at th $o's attackin' a snak of cow int stin ! at th chi#$r n kickin' a #o"si$ $ # ath r )a## thro%'h th m%$$( str ts. 5 was c# ar#( wishin' h ha$n&t r%n into th m. EP# as ! Ro#an$!G Sh #)( sai$! r achin' )o#$#( for his chain7mai# '#o* . 2a%nt# t! sh tho%'ht. Th (&r ca## $ 'a%nt# ts. E4on&t (o% ) #i * in #o* H 4on&t (o% ha* a h artHG Sh #)( f #t th wor$s han'in' in th frost( air an$ wish $ sh co%#$ tak th m )ack. S%r #( sh &$ 'on too far. Sh $i$n&t know what Ro#an$&s stor( was. 5 &$ si$ $ with L%cif r wh n th an' #s f ##! )%t h &$ n * r s m $ a## that

)a$. 1%st cr("tic an$ inscr%ta)# . 5 o" n $ his mo%th to sa( som thin'! an$ Sh #)( wait $ to h ar ( t anoth r # ct%r a)o%t th $an' rs of Anno%nc r tra* #! or to ) thr at n $ with ) in' t%rn $ in to Franc sca an$ St * n at Ro#an$&s whim. Sh winc $ an$ #ook $ awa(. Th n sh h ar$ th soft c#ank of a *isor ) in' sh%t. ?h n sh #ook $ %"! Ro#an$&s fac was hi$$ n a'ain. Th *isor&s $ark ( s#it was %nr a$a)# . ?a( to r%in thin's! Sh #)(. EI wi## fin$ 4ani # for (o%.G Ro#an$&s *oic )oom $ from ) hin$ th *isor! makin' Sh #)( A%m". EI wi## s that h arri* s in tim for tomorrow&s Fair . I ha* on fina# rran$ to att n$ to! an$ th n I wi## ) )ack h r to "ro*i$ (o% )oth with an Anno%nc r that wi## s"irit (o% )ack to Shor #in ! wh r (o% sho%#$ ) now. I want no ar'%m nts. Tak m( off r or # a* it.G Sh #)( c# nch $ h r Aaw to k " it from $ro""in' o" n. 5 was 'oin' to h #" th m. ENoBno ar'%m nts!G Mi# s stamm r $. EThat wi## ) fin ! Ro#an$. Thank (o%.G Th n cam a s#i'ht $i" of Ro#an$&s h #m t! which Sh #)( took to ) a no$! )%t h sai$ nothin' #s . 5 on#( n%$' $ his whit hors aro%n$ to fac th "ath that # $ )ack o%t of th cit(. M rchants scatt r $ as th anima# trott $! th n )rok into a 'a##o"! its whit tai# str amin' ) hin$ it #ik a $isa"" arin' "%ff of smok . Sh #)( notic $ som thin' stran' 9 Inst a$ of ri$in' "ro%$#( o%t of town! Ro#an$ sat with h a$ #ow r $! his sho%#$ rs a )it s#%m" $. As if som thin' in +"#ica)# ha$ chan' $ his moo$. ?as it som thin' sh &$ sai$H EThat was int ns !G Mi# s sai$! stan$in' n +t to h r. Sh #)( inch $ c#os r to him! so that th ir arms w r to%chin'! an$ it ma$ h r f # ) tt r. Ro#an$ was 'oin' to fin$ 4ani #. 5 was 'oin' to h #" th m.

Sh #)( fo%n$ h rs #f smi#in' a * r( %n7Sh #)(7#ik smi# . Som wh r %n$ r a## that armor! ma() th r was a h art that ) #i * $ in th "ow r of tr% #o* . For a## h r o%twar$ c(nicism! Sh #)( ha$ to a$mit that sh too ) #i * $ in #o* . An$ sh co%#$ t ## )( th wa( Mi# s ha$ conso# $ L%cin$a this aft rnoon that h was a ) #i * r! too. To' th r th ( watch $ th '#ow of twi#i'ht&s s%n on Ro#an$&s armor an$ #ist n $ to th c#att r of hoo* s on co))# ston ta" rin' into si# nc .

FOUR

5AN4 IN 2LO@E

On

thin' a)o%t th Mi$$# A' s9 Th stars w r %n) #i *a)# . Un)oth r $ )( cit( #i'hts! th sk( was a '#itt rin' #an$sca" of 'a#a+i s! th kin$ of sk( that ma$ Sh #)( want to #i awak a #on' tim an$ star . 1%st ) for $%sk! th s%n ha$ fina##( )%rn $ thro%'h th 'ra( wint r c#o%$s! an$ now th $ark can*as a)o* was awash with stars. EThat&s th Bi' 4i"" r! isn&t itHG Mi# s ask $! "ointin' %" at a )ri'ht arc in th sk(. EB ats m .G Sh #)( shr%'' $! tho%'h sh # an $ in to fo##ow his fin' r with h r ( s. Sh co%#$ sm ## his skin! fami#iar an$ a #itt# citr%s(. EI $i$n&t know (o% w r into astronom(.G EI $i$n&t! ith r. N * r ha* ) n. B%t th r &s som thin' a)o%t th stars toni'ht L or som thin' a)o%t toni'ht in ' n ra#. E* r(thin' f #s kin$ of not worth(. Yo% knowHG EY ah!G Sh #)( )r ath $! #ost in th h a* ns sh &$ n * r tho%'ht too m%ch a)o%t. Sh f #t c#os to th m in a w ir$ wa(. 0#os to Mi# s! too. EI know.G Onc th (&$ a'r $ to sta( on anoth r ni'ht! scra""( Sh #)( ha$ "roc%r $ a )#ank t an$ som ro" an$B%sin' ski##s # arn $ $%rin' h r $a(s on Ski$ RowBfashion $ th m into an a#most # 'ant t nt. Lik so man( of th *isitin' r * # rs! sh an$ Mi# s ha$ s t %" cam" on a hi'h

s#o" of th 'r n o%tsi$ th cit( wa##s. Mi# s ha$ * n fo%n$ fir woo$! tho%'h n ith r on of th m kn w how to start a fir witho%t a match. It was kin$a nic h r ! act%a##(. Y ah! th r w r craC( co(ot nois s comin' from th woo$s! )%t Sh #)( r min$ $ h rs #f that som tim s ni'hts at Shor #in carri $ th sam shri## cri s. Sh an$ Mi# s wo%#$ A%st stick to' th rBan$ hi$ ) hin$ som m at( m $i *a# " o"# if an( wi#$ cr at%r s cam "okin' o%t of th for st. A s" cia# ho#i$a( ni'ht mark t was s ttin' %" n ar th roa$! so aft r "itchin' th t nt! th (&$ s"#it %"! with a "#an for Mi# s to fin$ som foo$ an$ Sh #)( to h%nt for @a# ntin &s 4a( 'ifts to 'i* to L%c an$ 4ani # th n +t $a(. Th n th ( wo%#$ m t )ack at cam" to $in %n$ r th stars. In th ho%r ) for s%ns t! th * n$ors in th cit( ha$ mo* $ th "art( o%tsi$ . Th ni'ht mark t was $iff r nt from th $a(tim mark t insi$ th wa##s! which ha$ so#$ * r($a( it ms #ik c#oth an$ 'rain. Th ni'ht mark t! Sh #)( r a#iC $! was a s" cia#7occasion affair! A%st for th @a# ntin &s ho#i$a( wh n th cit( o* rf#ow $ with far7 tra* #in' m rchants an$ oth r *isitors. Th 'r n was crow$ $ with n w#( "itch $ t nts! man( of which $o%)# $ as )art rin' c nt rs. Sh #)( $i$n&t ha* m%ch to off r! )%t sh mana' $ to +chan' h r hot7"ink #astic hair )an$ for a #ac $oi#( in th sha" of a h art! which sh "#ann $ to 'i* to L%c Efrom 4ani #.G Sh &$ a#so ha""i#( swa"" $ a h m" ank# )rac # t Phi# ha$ 'i* n h r on som $at )ack at Shor #in for a # ath r $a'' r sh ath sh fi'%r $ 4ani # mi'ht #ik . 2%(s w r har$ to sho" for. Th hair )an$ an$ th ank# t w r # ss than worth# ss to Sh #)(! )%t th ( w r +otic to th m rchants. E?hat is this a#ch mica# s%)stanc that str tch s an$ r tains its sha" HG th ( ask $ h r! +aminin' th )an$ as if it w r a "ric # ss ' m. Sh #)( ha$ stif# $ h r #a%'ht r! thos m $i *a# tort%r

$ *ic s n * r too far from h r tho%'hts. Lik a#wa(s aft r sho""in'! Sh #)( was ra* no%s. Sh ho" $ Mi# s ha$ $%' %" som 'oo$ 'r%). Sh was h%rr(in' across th crow$ $ 'r n to m t him wh n a )#%rr( tho%'ht cam into foc%s9 ?hat was sh for' ttin'H EOh! what a #o* #( )onn tFG A fair7hair $ woman with a )roa$ smi# a"" ar $ ) for h r. Sh strok $ th #ac * i# of th wim"# that Sh #)( ha$ swi" $ from th cart that mornin'. EIs it on of Mast r Tai#or&sHG EUh! whoHG Sh #)(&s '%i#t( )#%sh cr "t %" to th ti"s of h r sto# n hat. E5is sta##&s A%st o* r (on$ r.G Th woman "oint $ at a t nt ma$ of stiff whit can*as a)o%t t n f t awa(. E5 nr(&s 'ot thr sist rs! a## 'or' o%s s amstr ss s. Most of th ( ar! th ir n $# s f#( on#( for th * stm nts of th ch%rch&s m(st r( "#a(s! )%t th 'ir#s a#wa(s mana' som thin' sma## an$ s" cia# for th Fair . Th ir work tak s m( )r ath awa(.G Th t nt&s f#a"s w r o" n! an$ th r ! %n$ r an awnin'! stoo$ th sto%t man whos cart sh an$ Mi# s ha$ tri $ to ho" #ik a fr i'ht train that mornin'. Th man who ha$ swi" $ Mi# s&s hat. A sma## crow$ ha$ 'ath r $ an$ was 'i*in' off oohs an$ aahs! a$mirin' som thin' a""ar nt#( * r( "r cio%s. Sh #)( ha$ to "r ss %" a'ainst th oth r fair'o rs ) for sh r co'niC $ th it m $rawin' so man( h%n'r( ( s9 A )ri'ht )#% 4o$' rs ca". EA$mir th +8%isit $( of this )%ckram *isorFG 5 nr( Tai#or was $ " in th thro s of his sa# s "itch! as if th hat ha$ a#wa(s ) n a "art of his co## ction! as if h ha$ s wn it hims #f. E5a* (o% * r s n s%ch stitch sH Im" cca)#( r '%#ar! to th "oint of L in*isi)i#it(FG EAn$ wh n a swor$ s#ic s thro%'h that f #t! 5 nr(! what th nHG a man A r $. Th crow$ ) 'an to )%CC that " rha"s th *isor was not th most in*inci)# it m in 5 nr(&s co## ction.

EFoo#s!G 5 nr( sai$. EThis *isor is not armor! )%t a thin' of ) a%t(. Is it not "ossi)# that a thin' can ) ma$ sim"#( to "# as th ( an$ th h artHG As th fair'o rs hoot $! Sh #)(&s h art hamm r $ in h r ch st! ) ca%s sh kn w what sh ha$ to $o. EI&## )%( th hatFG sh sho%t $ s%$$ n#(. EIt&s not for sa# FG 5 nr( sai$. EOf co%rs it&s for sa# !G Sh #)( sai$! "%shin' asi$ h r n r* s a)o%t h r awf%# En'#ish acc nt! "%shin' asi$ a f w start# $ " o"# ! "%shin' asi$ * r(thin' )%t h r n $ to ' t th hat. It was im"ortant to Mi# s! an$ Mi# s was im"ortant to h r. E5 r !G sh cri $! Etak m( )onn t in +chan' F M(! %m! fath r )o%'ht it for m this mornin' an$ it $o sn&t! %m! fit.G 5 nr( #ook $ %"! an$ Sh #)( ha$ a mom nt of "anicB c rtain#( h wo%#$ know sh &$ sto# n th )onn t. On#(! wh n h ti#t $ his h a$ at Sh #)(! h $i$n&t * n s m to r 'ist r that th hat ha$ onc ) #on' $ to him. EY s! that )onn t $o s mak (o%r ars stick o%t. B%t that&s not no%'h.G ?hatH Sh $i$n&t ha* )i' arsF Sh #)( was a)o%t to 'i* 5 nr( a "i c of h r min$ wh n sh r m m) r $ what was im"ortant h r . E0om nowF That hat is o#$! its mat ria# fa$ $FG Sh "oint $ an acc%sin' fin' r. EAn$ what mann r of wick $n ss $o thos # tt rs m)#aCon $ on th front si'nif(HG EAr th ( # tt rsHG som on in th crow$ ask $. EI $on&t know how to r a$!G sai$ anoth r. An$ it was c# ar 5 nr( $i$n&t r a$! ith r. E?hat $o th ( sa(HG h ask $. EI tho%'ht th ( w r m r ornam ntation.G An$ th n! r m m) rin' that h &$ c#aim $ to ha* ma$ th hat! h a$$ $! ETh $ si'n was 'i* n to m )( a "assin' ' nt# man.G ETh ( ar th mark of th $ *i#FG Sh #)( im"ro*is $! h r *oic ' ttin' #o%$ r as sh 'ain $ confi$ nc . ETh s"ik( arms ar his mark an$ his )ran$.G

Th crow$ 'as" $ an$ "%sh $ c#os r. Th sm ## of th m ma$ Sh #)( f # #ik sh co%#$n&t ' t a )r ath. 5 nr( h #$ th ca" awa( from him. EIs that soH Th n wh( $o (o% want itHG E?h( $o (o% thinkH I aim to $ stro( it in th nam of a## that is ho#( an$ ri'ht in th wor#$.G Th r was a m%rm%r of a""ro*a# from th crow$. EI wi## )%rn it an$ ri$ this wor#$ of its *i# markFG Sh was r a##( ' ttin' into this. A f w in th crow$ 'a* f )# ch rs. EI wi## "rot ct %s a## from th )an of th ca"FG 5 nr( scratch $ his h a$. EIt&s A%st a ca"! tho%'h! innitHG Aro%n$ Sh #)(! " o"# t%rn $ to #ook at h r. E? ##! ( s! )%t L m( "oint is that I&## tak it off (o%r han$s.G Tai#or #ook $ at th )onn t in h r han$! his # ft ( )row risin'. EThat han$iwork #ooks fami#iar!G h m%tt r $. Th n h #ook $ a'ain at Mi# s&s ca". EAn * n tra$ ! th nHG Sh #)( h #$ o%t th #ac( wim"# . EAn * n tra$ .G Th man no$$ $ an$ th +chan' was ma$ . Mi# s&s tr as%r $ 4o$' rs ca" f #t #ik so#i$ 'o#$ in Sh #)(&s han$s! an$ sh co%#$n&t ' t )ack to th t nt fast no%'h. 5 was 'oin' to ) so ha""(F Sh )o%n$ $ %" th 'r n! "ast minstr #s sin'in' sa$ an$ #on #( son's! "ast chi#$r n in th t rna# 'am of ta'! an$ soon sh saw th o%t#in of Mi# s&s sho%#$ rs in th $ark. On#(! it wasn&t $ark. Mi# s ha$ fi'%r $ o%t how to mak a fir F An$ h was roastin' a forkf%# of sa%sa' s o* r th o" n f#am . ?h n h #ook $ %" at h r an$ smi# $! a tin( $im"# sh &$ n * r notic $ ) for a"" ar $ in his # ft ch k. Sh #)( f #t $iCC(. It mi'ht ha* ) n from r%nnin' a## that wa(. Or th s%$$ n h at of th fir . E5%n'r(HG Mi# s ask $. Sh no$$ $! too n r*o%s a)o%t h r n ws of ha*in' r c#aim $ his ca" to fin$ wor$s. Sh h #$ th hat ) hin$ h r )ack! s #f7conscio%s a)o%t * r(thin'. 5 r "ost%r ! th

'ift! h r )a''( m $i *a# c#oth s. B%t this was Mi# sI h wo%#$n&t A%$' h r. Th n wh( $i$ sh s%$$ n#( f # so Aitt r(H ETho%'ht (o% mi'ht ) . 5 (! wh r &s (o%r )onn tHG ?as th r a hint of r 'r t in his *oic H 4i$ h r hair #ook ri$ic%#o%sH Now sh $i$n&t * n ha* th #astic )an$ to "%## it )ack. Sh f#%sh $. EI tra$ $ it.G EOh. For som thin' to 'i* to L%c an$ 4ani #HG Th wa( th #i'ht "#a( $ off his fac ! Mi# s #ook $ #ik h r ) st fri n$ an$ a#so #ik an ntir #( n w " rson. Som on ! sh r a#iC $! sh wo%#$ * r( m%ch #ik to ' t to know. EY ah.G Sh #)( f #t w ir$! stan$in' o* r him with h r craC( #ion&s man . ?h( $i$n&t sh ha* hair #ik L%c ! hair that was smooth an$ shin( an$ s +( an$ st%ffH 5air that )o(s #ik $. Mi# s ha$ #ik $ L%c &s hair. 5 was sti## starin' at Sh #)(. E?hatHG ENo )i' $ a#. Sit $own. Th r &s ci$ r! an$ som )r a$.G Sh #)( $ro"" $ onto th 'rass n +t to Mi# s! car f%# to hi$ his ca" in th fo#$s of h r $r ss. Sh want $ to 'i* it to him at th ri'ht mom nt! #ik aft r h r stomach sto"" $ 'row#in'. 5 s#i$ a siCC#in' sa%sa' onto a thick! cr%st( s#ic of )r a$ an$ han$ $ h r a $ nt $ tin c%" of ci$ r. Th ( c#ink $ c%"s! #ock $ ( s. E?h r &$ (o% ' t a## this st%ffHG EYo% think (o%&r th on#( on who can )art rH I ha$ to sa( 'oo$)( to two 'oo$ sho #ac s for that san$wich! #a$(! so at %".G As Sh #)( took a )it an$ si"" $ h r $rink! sh was '#a$ to s that Mi# s wasn&t starin' at h r hair. 5 was 'aCin' at th +"ans of t nts # a$in' %" to th cit(! at th smok of a h%n$r $ cam"fir s commin'#in' in th air. Sh f #t warm r an$ ha""i r than sh ha$ in a * r( #on' tim . Finishin' his san$wich ) for Sh #)( ha$ * n tak n a s con$ )it ! Mi# s swa##ow $. EYo% know! this L%c 7an$7

4ani # sa'a! th ir im"ossi)# #o* ! th %n)r aka)# c%rs ! fat an$ $ stin( an$ a## that L wh n w first start $ # arnin' a)o%t it in c#ass s! an$ * n wh n I m t L%c ! it so%n$ $ #ik BG EA )%nch of hoo (HG Sh #)( c%t in. EThat&s what I tho%'ht! an(wa(.G E? ##! ( ah!G Mi# s a$mitt $. EB%t r c nt#(! 'oin' thro%'h th Anno%nc rs with (o%! r a##( s in' how m%ch mor th r is to this wor#$! m tin' 4ani # in 1 r%sa# m! watchin' how $iff r nt 0am was wh n h was n'a' $ L Ma() th r is s%ch a thin' as tr% #o* .G EY ah.G Sh #)( m%## $ that o* r! ch win'. EY ah.G O%t of nowh r ! sh want $ * r( )a$#( to ask Mi# s som thin'. B%t sh was scar $. An$ not th scar $ of ha*in' to s# " o%tsi$ in an anima#7fi## $ for st! or th scar $ of ) in' far! far awa( from hom witho%t an( c rtaint( (o%&$ fin$ (o%r wa( )ack a'ain. This was a raw an$ *%#n ra)# kin$ of scar $! whos int nsit( ma$ h r tr m)# . B%t if sh $i$n&t ask! sh &$ n * r know. An$ that&$ ) wors . EMi# sHG EY ahHG E5a* (o% * r ) n in #o* HG Mi# s "#%ck $ a )rown )#a$ of 'rass an$ twir# $ it ) tw n his "a#ms. 5 f#ash $ h r a 'rin! th n 'a* an m)arrass $ #a%'h. EI $on&t know. I m an L "ro)a)#( not.G 5 co%'h $. E5a* (o%HG ENo!G sh sai$. ENot * n c#os .G N ith r on s m $ to know what to sa( aft r that. For a whi# ! th ( A%st sat in n r*o%s si# nc . Som tim s Sh #)( for'ot that it was n r*o%s si# nc ! an$ it f #t #ik comforta)# si# nc with h r fri n$ Mi# s. B%t th n sh &$ sn ak a #ook at him! an$ catch him #ookin' at h r! an$ his ( s wo%#$ ) a## ma'ica# )#% ! an$ * r(thin' f #t r a##( $iff r nt! an$ sh &$ ' t n r*o%s a'ain.

EE* r wish (o%&$ #i* $ in anoth r raHG Mi# s fina##( chan' $ th s%)A ct! an$ it f #t #ik som on ha$ "o"" $ a h%' )a##oon of t nsion. EI co%#$ ' t into w arin' armor! ) in' chi*a#ro%s! a## that.G EYo% wo%#$ mak a 'r at kni'htF Not m ! tho%'h! I stick o%t #ik a sor th%m) h r . I #ik m( nois in 0a#ifornia.G EM too. 5 (! Sh #HG 5is ( s "or $ o* r h r. Sh f #t hot * n as a '%st of F )r%ar( win$ )it thro%'h h r ro%'h woo# $r ss. E4o (o% think it&s 'oin' to ) $iff r nt wh n w ' t )ack to Shor #in HG EOf co%rs it&s 'oin' to ) $iff r nt.G Sh #)( #ook $ $own an$ "#%ck $ at th 'rass. EI m an! w &## ) sittin' in th m ss ha## r a$in' th Tri)%n an$ "#ottin' "ranks to "#a( on th non7N "hi#im. ? won&t ) ! #ik ! $rinkin' from m $i *a# w ##s an$ st%ff.G EThat&s not what I m an.G Mi# s t%rn $ to fac h r. 5 $r w h r chin %" with his fin' r. EI m an (o% an$ m . ? &r $iff r nt h r . I #ik th wa( w ar h r .G A "a%s . A $ " )#% 'aC . E4o (o%HG Sh #)( ha$ known that wasn&t what h m ant. B%t sh was scar $ to ta#k a)o%t what #s h mi'ht m an. B ca%s what if sh 'ot it wron'H 5ow * r sh an$ Mi# s Ew r G h r ! sh #ik $ it! a #ot. A## $a( sh &$ ) n f #in' this )%CC aro%n$ him. B%t sh co%#$n&t +"r ss it. It ma$ h r ton'% 7ti $. ?h( co%#$n&t h A%st r a$ h r min$H JNot that it was an( # ss conf%sin' in th r .K B%t no! Mi# s was han'in' on h r answ r! which was o* r$% ! an$ sim"# ! an$ a#so r a##(! r a##( com"#icat $. ES%r .G Sh #)( was )#%shin'. Sh n $ $ a $istraction. Sh r ach $ for th )as )a## ca". That wa( h &$ star at it inst a$ of h r r $ ch ks. ETh r ason I ask $ a)o%t (o%r )onn t!G Mi# s sai$ ) for sh co%#$ 'i* him th ca"! Eis ) ca%s I fo%n$ th s in th mark t toni'ht.G 5 h #$ %" a "air of )%ff # ath r '#o* s with whit ta)) $ c%ffs. Th ( w r ) a%tif%#.

EYo% )o%'ht thos H For m HG ETra$ $ for th m! act%a##(. Yo% sho%#$ ha* s n how m%ch th '#o* mak r f#i"" $ o* r a #itt# "ack of '%m.G 5 smi# $. EAn(wa(! (o%r han$s w r so co#$ a## $a(! an$ I tho%'ht th (&$ match (o%r )onn t.G Sh #)( co%#$n&t h #" it. Sh start $ crackin' %". Sh $o%)# $ o* r an$ )an' $ on th 'ro%n$ an$ hoot $. It f #t so 'oo$ to # t 'o of a## that " nt7%" n r*o%s n r'(! to r # as it into th @a# ntin &s E* air an$ A%st #a%'h. EYo% hat th m.G Mi# s so%n$ $ cr stfa## n. EI know th (&r not (o%r norma# st(# ! )%t th ( w r th sam co#or as that )onn t an$BG ENo! Mi# s! that&s not it.G Sh #)( sat )ack %" an$ so) r $ wh n sh saw his fac . Th n sh start $ #a%'hin' a'ain. EI tra$ $ th )onn t to ' t (o% this.G Sh h #$ %" th 4o$' rs ca". ENo wa(.G 5 r ach $ for it with th air of a ki$ who co%#$n&t ) #i * that th "r s nts %n$ r th 0hristmas tr w r r a##( his. Si# nt#(! Sh #)( h #$ th '#o* s in h r han$s. Mi# s 'ri"" $ th ca" in his. Aft r a #on' mom nt! th ( tri $ th ir 'ifts on. ?ith th ca" t%'' $ ti'ht#( o* r his )#% ( s! Mi# s #ook $ #ik his o#$ s #f a'ain! th )o( Sh #)( r co'niC $ from a h%n$r $ # ct%r s at Shor #in ! th )o( sh &$ first st "" $ thro%'h th Anno%nc rs with! th )o( who was! sh r a#iC $! h r c#os st fri n$. An$ th '#o* sBth '#o* s w r amaCin'. Th soft st # ath r! th most $ #icat $ si'n. Th ( fit h r " rf ct#(! a#most #ik Mi# s kn w th +act sha" of h r han$s. Sh #ook $ %" to thank him! )%t his +"r ssion ma$ h r "a%s . E?hat&s wron'HG Mi# s scratch $ his for h a$. EI $%nno. ?o%#$ (o% min$! act%a##(! if I took th ca" offH I r a#iC $ to$a( I co%#$ s (o% ) tt r witho%t it! an$ I #ik $ it that wa(.G

ES

m HG Sh #)( $i$n&t know wh(! of a## tim s! h r *oic

chos that mom nt to crack. EY ah. Yo%.G 5 took h r han$s. 5 r "%#s "ick $ %". E* r(thin' a)o%t that mom nt f #t r a##( im"ortant. Th r was A%st on thin' that was wron'. EMi# sHG EY ahHG E4o (o% min$ if I tak th '#o* s offH I #o* th m! an$ I wi## w ar th m! I "romis ! )%t ri'ht now! IBI can&t f # (o%r han$s.G E* r so ' nt#(! Mi# s t%'' $ off th # ath r '#o* s! on fin' r at a tim . ?h n h was finish $! h #ai$ th m on th 'ro%n$ an$ took )oth of h r han$s in his a'ain. Stron' an$ r ass%rin' an$ som how tota##( s%r"risin'! Mi# s&s 'ri" ma$ h r 'rin from th insi$ o%t. In th )o%'h of th #a%r # tr ) hin$ th m! a ni'htin'a# tri## $ sw t#(. Sh #)( swa##ow $. Mi# s took a s#ow )r ath. E4o (o% know what I tho%'ht wh n Ro#an$ sai$ h was 'oin' to s n$ %s hom tomorrowHG Sh #)( shook h r h a$. EI tho%'ht9 Now I ' t to s" n$ @a# ntin &s 4a( in this incr $i)#( romantic "#ac with this 'ir# I r a##( #ik .G Sh #)( $i$n&t know what to sa(. EYo%&r not ta#kin' a)o%t L%c ! ar (o%HG ENo.G 5 watch $ h r ( s! waitin' for som thin'. Sh #)( f #t that $iCCin ss a'ain. EI&m ta#kin' a)o%t (o%.G In h r s * nt n ( ars! Sh #)( ha$ ) n kiss $ )( a #ot of fro's an$ a f w toa$s. An$ * r( tim it 'ot to this mom nt! th )o( wo%#$ a#wa(s mak th %#timat #os r ' st%r ! sa(in'! E0an I kiss (o% nowHG Sh kn w som 'ir#s tho%'ht that was "o#it ! )%t to Sh #)(! it was A%st a h%' "ain in th )%tt. Sh a#wa(s n$ $ %" sa(in' som thin' sarcastic )ack! an$ it a#wa(s A%st annihi#at $ th moo$. Sh was t rrifi $ that Mi# s was 'oin' to ask if h co%#$ kiss h r. Sh was t rrifi $ h wasn&t 'oin' to ask if h co%#$ kiss h r.

L%cki#(! Mi# s $i$n&t # a* h r too m%ch tim for t rror. 5 # an $ in * r( s#ow#( an$ c%"" $ h r ch k in th "a#m of his han$. 5is ( s w r th co#or of th starr( sk( a)o* th m. ?h n h '%i$ $ h r chin c#os r to his! ti#tin' h r fac * r so s#i'ht#(! Sh #)( c#os $ h r ( s. Th ir #i"s conn ct $ in th sw t st kiss. Sim"# ! a f w soft " cks. Nothin' too com"#icat $I th ( w r A%st startin' o%t! aft r a##. ?h n Sh #)( o" n $ h r ( s an$ saw th #ook in hisBth smi# sh kn w as w ## as h r ownBsh kn w sh &$ ) n 'i* n th ) st @a# ntin &s 4a( 'ift th r was. Sh wo%#$n&t ha* tra$ $ it for th wor#$.

LO@E LESSONS

T5E @ALENTINE OF ROLAN4

ONE

T5E LON2 AN4 BLIN4IN2 ROA4

Ro#an$ ro$

har$ for th cit(&s north rn 'at s. Tho%'h his ro%t wo%#$ tak him "ast th sc n of th worst mom nt of his #if ! h $i$ not $ to%r. 5 was on a mission. 5is hors ! a stran' r to him %nti# a f w ho%rs a'oBwh n h &$ #ift $ h r from th #or$&s sta)# sBa$a"t $ int%iti* #( to his n $s. Sh was a snow7whit Ara)ian who #ook $ fin in h r )#ack # ath r kni'ht&s tack. B for Ro#an$ ha$ fo%n$ h r! h &$ ha$ his ( on a $a""# $ "#owman&s hors with am"# f#anksBa workin' hors co%#$ tra* # #on' r than a no)# man&s hors ! an$ on # ss f $B)%t Ro#an$ $i$n&t f # ri'ht st a#in' from th " asant c#ass. This on Bh was ca##in' h r B#acki aft r th sin'# $ark s"#ash on h r nos Bha$ whinni $ an$ r ar $ wh n h first mo%nt $ h r! )%t aft r a f w $iscr t t%rns aro%n$ th m%$$( "ath n ar th sh "fo#$s! th ( w r fri n$s. 5 ha$ a#wa(s ha$ a knack with anima#s! s" cia##( hors s. Anima#s co%#$ h ar th m%sic in his *oic mor c# ar#( than h%mans. Ro#an$ co%#$ whis" r a f w wor$s to a start# $ fi##( an$ ca#m h r #ik s%nshin aft r a torna$o. B( th tim Ro#an$ "ass $ thro%'h th ma(h m of th mark t"#ac ! hors an$ ri$ r w r a s am# ss "artn rshi"! which was mor than h co%#$ sa( for his armor. Th s t h &$ nick $ from th #or$&s son&s armam nts cham) r in th cast# $i$ not fit him. It was #on' in th # ' an$ narrow in

th ch st an$ it stank of so%r " rs"iration. Non of th s 8%a#iti s a'r $ with Ro#an$! whos )o$( was acc%stom $ to an ha%t r co%t%r . As h c#i"" $ "ast th 'at s! car f%# to skirt th #or$&s #in of si'ht! Ro#an$ ha$ sim"#( i'nor $ th citiC ns& a#arm $ #ooks an$ th ir conA ct%rin' m%rm%rs a)o%t what )att# h was ri$in' into. This forma# armorBwith its $amn $ mai# * st! 'ir$ $ with a tw nt(7"o%n$ m) ##ish $ ) #t! an$ th stif#in' st # h #m t that wo%#$n&t sit strai'ht ) ca%s of his $r a$#ocksBwas worn so# #( for fi'htin'I it was too cons"ic%o%s an$ c%m) rsom for cas%a# tra* #. 5 kn w that. 5 f #t it a)so#%t #( with * r( sh%$$ rin' stri$ of his hors . B%t this s%it was th on#( thin' Ro#an$ co%#$ fin$ that wo%#$ o)sc%r his i$ ntit( to th +t nt that h r 8%ir $. 5 ha$n&t com a## this wa( to ) )oth r $ with morta#s att m"tin' to s iC an$ im"rison a $ mon th ( mistook for a Moor. 5 n $ $ a $is'%is that wo%#$ not hin$ r his attainm nt of on 'oa#9 k "in' 4ani #&s m $i *a# "ast s #f o%t of tro%)# . Not L%cin$a. 4ani #. L%cin$a Pric ! Ro#an$ ) #i * $! kn w what sh was $oin'. An$ * n wh n sh ha$ no i$ a what sh was $oin'! sh a#wa(s $i$ th ri'ht thin'. It was im"r ssi* . Th an' #s who fo##ow $ L%c into th Anno%nc rsB2a)) ! 0am! * n Arrian B$i$ not 'i* L%c no%'h cr $it. B%t Ro#an$ ha$ first notic $ a chan' in h r at Swor$ O 0ross Ba stran' h $# ss c rtaint( that sh &$ n * r "oss ss $ in an( of h r ar#i r #i* s! as if sh ha$ fina##( '#im"s $ th $ "ths of h r o#$ so%#. L%c mi'ht not ha* known what sh was $oin' wh n sh st "" $ thro%'h on h r own! )%t Ro#an$ kn w sh wo%#$ fi'%r * r(thin' o%t. This was th n$'am ! an$ sh n $ $ to "#a( h r "art. That was wh( it was 4ani # who worri $ Ro#an$. It wo%#$ ) A%st #ik 4ani # to )#%n$ r into L%c an$ r%in

* r(thin'. Som on n $ $ to mak s%r h $i$n&t $o an(thin' st%"i$! which was wh( Ro#an$ ha$ fo##ow $ him thro%'h th Anno%nc rs in L%c &s )ack(ar$. B%t fin$in' 4ani # ha$ ) n har$ r than h +" ct $. Ro#an$ ha$ ) n too #at in 5 #ston! A%st miss $ him at th Basti## ! an$ #ik #( wo%#$n&t catch him h r ! ith r. If h w r ) in' smart! Ro#an$ wo%#$ A%st ski" o%t an$ tr( to int rc "t 4ani # in on of th ir ar#i r #i* s. If h w r ) in' smart. B%t th n h &$ s"ott $ th two %ncha" ron $ Anachronisms )a#$#( sch min' at th w ##Bin )roa$ $a(#i'ht! in th c nt r of th cit(! in th ir )a$ c#oth s an$ wors acc nts. 4i$ th ( know nothin'H Ro#an$ #ik $ th N "hi#im w ## no%'h. Sh #)( was a so#i$! $ c nt kin$ of " rson! an$ not )a$ to #ook at. An$ Mi# sBh ha$ a r "%tation for ' ttin' too c#os to L%c at Shor #in ! )%t L wo%#$n&t an( '%( in Mi# s&s sho s ha* tri $H 2i* th ki$ a )r ak! was Ro#an$&s '#oss. Mi# s was a## 'o#$ n h art an$ * r( #itt# )a$ass. Ro#an$ %n$ rstoo$ that th N "hi#im ki$s w r h r o%t of "%r 'oo$wi##. Th ( ha$ a soft s"ot for th ir fri n$ L%c . An$ it was c# ar that Sh #)( an$ Mi# s ha$ hi'h ho" s for romanc at th @a# ntin &s 4a( Fair Bfor L%c an$ 4ani #! an$ ma() * n for th ms #* s. Th ( "ro)a)#( $on&t know that ( t! Ro#an$ tho%'ht! an$ 'rinn $. Morta#s co%#$ rar #( r co'niC th ir tr% f #in's ) for thos tr% f #in's hit th m in th fac . It ha"" n $ this wa( for man( co%"# s who s" nt tim )askin' in th '#ow of 4ani # an$ L%cin$a. Ro#an$ ha$ witn ss $ it ) for . 4ani # an$ L%cin$a w r m)# ms of romanc ! i$ a#s that * r( morta# an$ som immorta#s n $ $ to ) #i * in! wh th r or not th ( th ms #* s w r ca"a)# of makin' a conn ction so tr% . 4ani # an$ L%cin$a w r an i$ a that inform $ th wa( th r st of th

wor#$ f ## in #o* . It was a "ow rf%# s" ## %n$ r which to fin$ on s #f. Of co%rs ! Ro#an$ ha$ to raCC th N "hi#im for st ""in' thro%'h into on of L%cin$a&s m $i *a# #i* s. Th ( sho%#$ ) wh r th ( ) #on' $! in th ir own tim ! wh r th ir actions wo%#$n&t ca%s an( historic catastro"h s. So h &$ ch w $ th m o%t a #itt# . It wo%#$ k " th m in #in %nti# h r t%rn $ to scort th m saf #( hom . Tra* #in' with th m was th on#( wa( h co%#$ ns%r that th ( wo%#$n&t win$ %" som wh r * n farth r awa( from Shor #in . B%t firstH 5 co%#$ in$%#' th m. Track $own 4ani # an$ mak s%r h 'ot his s%## n s #f to th @a# ntin &s Fair . 2i*in' 4ani # an$ L%c a mom nt of ha""in ss was no sw at off Ro#an$&s )ack! an$ ) si$ s! it 'a* him som thin' to $o. An$ in this "artic%#ar ra! Ro#an$ n $ $ som thin' to $o. To k " his min$ off oth r thin's. In th co#$ F )r%ar( '#oom! Ro#an$ ro$ "ast a '# ) ! wh r s rf7t n$ $ cro"s "a$$ $ th "ock ts of th #oca# c# r'(m n. 5 ro$ "ast a 2othic ch%rch! with its "oint $ arch s an$ thorn( s"ir s. 2o$&s ho%s . 5 co%#$n&t sto" th tho%'ht from nt rin' his min$. It ha$ ) n a #on' tim sinc h &$ ) n in on of thos . 5 cross $ a hi'h )ri$' o* r th swo## n! m%$$( ri* r! an$ t%rn $ his hors towar$ th kni'hts& stron'ho#$ h kn w was a)o%t a ha#f $a(&s ri$ to th north. It was not a "# asant Ao%rn (9 ro%'h roa$ an$ %'#( w ath r. B#acki kick $ %" hi'h s"#ash s of m%$! "aintin' h r f#anks a $in'( 'ra(7)rown. An$ th co#$ ca%s $ th hin' s of Ro#an$&s armor to stiff n into n ar7immo)i#it(. Sti##! in most wa(s! th r was som thin' sw t in r t%rnin' to this "ast. A romantic #ik 4ani # mi'ht sa( chi*a#r( ha$ n * r r a##( $i $! )%t th n! 4ani # ha$ a com"#icat $ r #ationshi" with )oth #o* an$ $ ath. Ro#an$

ha$ #i* $ amon' this ar#( )ran$ of chi*a#r( for ( ars. It was n ar#( o* r now in th Mi$$# A' s! an$ it was c rtain#( $ a$ in th "r s nt t ns Ro#an$ ha$ A%st tra* # $ from. Th r was no 8% stion in his min$. B%t onc %"on a tim L For th )ri f st mom nt h r m m) r $ a '#imm r of 'o#$ n hair str amin' in th win$. 5 f#i"" $ %" th *isor of his h #m t an$ 'as" $ for air. 5 wo%#$ not think of h r. That was not wh( h was h r . 5 n%$' $ B#acki forwar$ an$ shook his h a$! tr(in' to c# ar his min$. Ro#an$ was # ss than a mi# from th )an$ of kni'hts h was s kin'. 5 scann $ th horiCon9 th sw "in' $i" of *a# s to th ast! a rainstorm ) hin$ him an$ to th w st. Ah a$! th roa$ wo%n$ %" an$ aro%n$ thro%'h twists of hi##s that form $ a "rot cti* )arri r for th cit(. A#so ah a$ stoo$ a cast# that h int n$ $ to a*oi$. 5 wo%#$ ri$ a wi$ ) rth aro%n$ it. An$ on th oth r si$ of that cast# was th roa$Bif it was sti## in "assa)# con$itionBthat wo%#$ # a$ him strai'ht to th 4ani # of this ra. An$ to his own m $i *a# s #f. In his #on'7a'o m mor( of this ra! h r m m) r $ how th stran' #( c#a$ kni'ht ha$ a"" ar $ ) for th m! ) arin' or$ rs from th kin'. Th kni'ht ha$ s#ow $ his hors at th thr sho#$ of th ir t nts an$ ha$ "ass $ aro%n$ a $ cr comman$in' th m n to a)an$on th ir "ost for two ni'hts to c # )rat th n w St. @a# ntin &s ho#( $a(! as was 2o$&s wi##. On#( a f w of th m co%#$ r a$! so most of th m n took th 'oo$ n ws on faith. Ro#an$ sti## r m m) r $ th whoo"s an$ ho## rs that cam from his f ##ow kni'hts. Th kni'ht ha$ not s"ok n a wor$Bha$ sim"#( $ #i* r $ th $ cr an$ 'a##o" $ awa( L on his coa#7)#ack hors . Stran' . Ro#an$ #ook $ $own at B#acki ! strok $ h r si#* r7whit man . If this was Ro#an$&s $ stin(Bto ) th an' # ) hin$ th

*isor who 'a* 4ani # a @a# ntin &s 4a( 'ift! $ir ctin' him )ack to th arms of th 'ir# h #o* $Bth n som * nt wo%#$ ha* to trans"ir that wo%#$ a##ow him to swa" his whit hors for a )#ack on . An$ som on wo%#$ ha* to "#ac a kin'&s $ cr in his han$. Stran' r thin's ha"" n $! h kn w! n ar#( * r( $a(. 5 "%t his h #s to B#acki &s f#anks an$ ro$ on! sw atin' on mom nt! shi* rin' th n +t.

E* nt%a##(! Ro#an$ ro$ ri'ht %" to th cast# . It '%ar$ $ th north rnmost fi f in th co%nt(! th #ast o%t"ost on th wa( to th kni'hts& cam". 5 sat astri$ his mo%nt for a mom nt! takin' in th fami#iar ston work. Th cast# tow r $ ) for him #ik a co#oss%s. Th r w r cha#k7whit chimn (s o* r ach cham) r! narrow s#its to affor$ a *i w from ach fa3a$ . 0or) #s an$ cornic s $ corat $ th $ark7'ra( )#ocks of ston ! whos ma'nit%$ ma$ Ro#an$ f # sma##. Th cast# &s siC )o''# $ his min$. It a#wa(s ha$! * n for that )ri f str tch of tim wh n h ha$ "ass $ thro%'h its 'at s n ar#( * r( $a(Ban$ c#im) $ its 'roo* $ ston s to r ach a sin'# )a#con( * r( ni'ht. 5is kn s shook a'ainst his hors &s f#anks. 5is h art f #t as if it ha$ sw ## $ to t n tim s its nat%ra# siC . It ) at as if * r( "a#"itation mi'ht ) its #ast. Th )acks of his sho%#$ rs )%rn $! an$ h want $ to f#( far awa(! )%t his win's w r ncas $ in th f%## m ta# Aack t on his )ack an$ h wo%#$ not tak it off. B si$ s! no matt r how far Ro#an$ f# w! h co%#$ not sca" th t rror s"r a$in' thro%'h his so%#. Insi$ this cast# #i* $ a 'ir# nam $ Rosa#in . Sh was th on#( ) in' in th %ni* rs Ro#an$ ha$ * r tr%#( #o* $.

T?O

0RUMBLIN2 ?ALLS

B#acki

n i'h $ soft#( as Ro#an$ s#i"" $ off h r )ack. 5 # $ h r to a )%$# ss a""# tr at th so%th rn #imits of Rosa#in &s fath r&s "ro" rt( an$ ti $ h r )ri$# aro%n$ th tr%nk. 5ow man( tim s ha$ Ro#an$ circ# $ th tr s in this orchar$! carr(in' his #o* &s wi$ wo* n )ask t on his arm! trai#in' ) hin$ h r! a$orin' h r s#ow mo* m nts as sh "#%ck $ r $ fr%it from th )ranch sH 5 r fath r was an ar# or a $%k or a )aron or som oth r *ari t( of 'r $( #an$ ma'nat . Ro#an$ ha$ sto"" $ carin' a)o%t s%ch morta# tit# s aft r a tho%san$ ( ars of ha*in' to watch th ir kin$ "#a( at war 'am s. This morta#&s so# "assion in #if s m $ to ) +act#( that9 wa'in' war an$ st a#in' th rich s of n ar)( fi f$oms an$ makin' #if a #i*in' h ## for a## his n i'h)ors. Th )an$ of kni'hts 4ani # an$ Ro#an$ s r* $ with f ## %n$ r his swa(! so Ro#an$ an$ his f ##ows ha$ s" nt man( ho%rs o%tsi$ an$ within th s cast# wa##s. 5 $%' into B#acki &s sa$$# )a's an$ fo%n$ a $ri $ a""# ! th n f $ it to th hors whi# h took th m as%r of th sit%ation. 5 r m m) r $ this @a# ntin &s 4a( Fair . 5 kn w that it took "#ac aft r his affair with Rosa#in ha$ n$ $. Th ir #o* wo%#$ ha* ) n o* r for L fi* ( ars )( now.

5 sho%#$n&t ha* sto"" $ h r . 5 sho%#$ ha* known this wo%#$ ha"" nBthat th m mori s wo%#$ f#oo$ his min$ an$ cri""# him. Not a $a( w nt )(! th s tho%san$ ( ars! that Ro#an$ $i$ not r 'r t th wa( h ha$ n$ $ thin's with Rosa#in . 5 ha$ $ si'n $ his #if aro%n$ that r 'r t9 wa##s an$ wa##s an$ wa##s! ach on with its own im" n tra)# fa3a$ . Th r 'r t form $ a cast# insi$ him man( %ni* rs s *ast r than th on that stoo$ ) for him now. P rha"s that was wh( this En'#ish cast# &s siC mo* $ him so $ramatica##(B it r min$ $ Ro#an$ of th fortr ss within him. 5 was far too #at to r $ m hims #f with h r. An$ ( t L 5 'a* B#acki an nco%ra'in' scratch an$ ma$ for th cast# . Th r was a ston 7f#a'' $ wa#kwa( #in $ with hi) rnatin' "rimros )%sh s! which n$ $ at a h a*( m ta# 'at . Ro#an$ a*oi$ $ this an$ took a si$ "ath. 5 wa#k $ %n$ r th tr #in of th )or$ rin' woo$s %nti# h co%#$ s#ink a#on' o%t of si'ht in th sha$ow of th cast# &s w st rn wa##. It tow r $ o* r him! risin' fift( f t in th air ) for th first win$ow off r $ a '#im"s o%t. Or in. Rosa#in %s $ to wait for him th r ! h r )#on$ hair trai#in' o* r th win$ow&s $' . It was th si'na# that sh was a#on Ban$ awaitin' Ro#an$&s #i"s. Th win$ow was m"t( now! an$ to 'aC %"on it from th 'ro%n$ ) #ow 'a* Ro#an$ a r%st( f #in' of hom sickn ss! as if h w r * r(! * r( far from th "#ac wh r h ) #on' $. No '%ar$s #ook $ $own from th )att# m nts h r ! h kn w. Th wa## was too hi'h. 5 # ft th sha$ows an$ wa#k $ o* r to stan$ $ir ct#( ) n ath th win$ow. 5 ran his han$s a#on' th wa##! r m m) rin' th 'roo* s his f t ha$ fo%n$ so man( tim s ) for . 5 &$ n * r $ar $ th n to %n# ash his win's in front of Rosa#in . It was no%'h to ask a morta# #ik h r to #o* him $ s"it th co#or sh " rc i* $ in his skin. 5 r fath r n * r saw

Ro#an$ witho%t his *isor! an$ wo%#$ not ha* " rmitt $ a Moor to fi'ht for him. Ro#an$ co%#$ ha* chan' $ th wa( h #ook $I an' #s $i$ it a## th tim . 5ow oft n ha$ 4ani # chan' $ his morta# '%is for L%c H Th (&$ a## sto"" $ co%ntin'. B%t it wasn&t Ro#an$&s st(# to fo##ow tr n$s. 5 was a c#assicist. 5is so%# f #t comforta)# Bas comforta)# as was "ossi)# Bin this "artic%#ar skin. Th r w r occasions! #ik to$a(! wh n his #ooks ca%s $ som $%## hass# ! )%t it was n * r an(thin' Ro#an$ co%#$n&t withstan$. Rosa#in sai$ sh #o* $ him for who h was insi$ . An$ h #o* $ h r for that o" nn ss L )%t sh $i$n&t r a##( know. Th r w r sti## som thin's a)o%t hims #f Ro#an$ kn w h co%#$ n * r +"os . 5 wo%#$ not +"os hims #f now! not )( sh $$in' his armor or )arin' his win's. 5a)it wo%#$ h #" him sca# th wa## th o#$7fashion $ wa(. Th "ath within th wa##s cam )ack to him! as if it w r i##%minat $ )( th sam 'o#$ n sh n his +"os $ win's cast %"on th wor#$. Ro#an$ ) 'an to c#im). At first! h was ca%tio%s in his asc nt! )%t * n in th cr ak( m ta# armor! h soon f #t nim)# a'ain with #i'ht m mori s of #o* . A f w short min%t s #at r! h r ach $ th to" of th o%t r wa## an$ h a* $ his # 's onto th narrow # $' of th "ara" t. Ri'htin' hims #f! h s#%nk a#on' to th far t%rr t an$ 'aC $ %" at its conica# si nna s"ir . From th r ! it was a tr ach ro%s c#im) %" to th rin' of arch $ win$ows circ#in' th tow r. B%t h kn w that th r was a narrow t rrac o%tsi$ on of th win$ows! an$ a fin #i" of ston ncirc#in' th tow r. 5 co%#$ stan$ %"on it an$ " r insi$ . Soon no%'h! h arri* $ at th # $' an$ c#%n' firm#( to th ston work a#on'si$ th win$ow. That was wh n h notic $ th o" n )a#con( $oor. A r $ si#k c%rtain )i##ow $ in

th win$. An$ th r ! ) (on$ it! a )r%sh of morta# mo* m nt. Ro#an$ h #$ his )r ath. B#on$ wa* s of hair! #on' an$ #oos ! h%n' $own th )ack of a '#orio%s 'r n $r ss. ?as it h rH It ha$ to ) . 5 #on' $ to r ach in an$ "%## h r from th win$ow! to mak th wor#$ th wa( it %s $ to ) . 5is fin' rs 'r w n%m) from his har$ 'ri" on th # $' ! an$ in th "i*ota# mom nt wh n th 'o#$ n7hair $ 'o$$ ss s"%n aro%n$! Ro#an$ froC so 8%ick#(! so com"# t #(! h tho%'ht h wo%#$ t%m)# #ik an icic# to th 'ro%n$. 5 "%## $ hims #f awa( an$ )ack onto th # $' ! his ch st f#at a'ainst th wa##! )%t h co%#$ not "%## his ( s awa( from th 'ir#. It was not h r. This was 0 #ia! th #or$&s (o%n' r $a%'ht r. Sh m%st ha* ) n si+t n nowBRosa#in &s a' wh n Ro#an$ ha$ )rok n h r h art. Sh r s m)# $ h r sist r9 fair skin! )#% ( s! ros 7" ta# #i"s! an$ a## that st%nnin' f#a+ n hair. B%t th fir within h rBthat mi'ht( conf#a'ration that Ro#an$ ha$ a$or $ in Rosa#in Bwas a $(in' m) r in 0 #ia. Sti##! Ro#an$ was ri* t $! %na)# to mak th s#i'ht st mo* . If 0 #ia sw "t o%t thro%'h th win$ow an$ onto th )a#con(! as sh #ook $ #ik sh was a)o%t to $o! Ro#an$ wo%#$ ) ca%'ht. ESist rHG That *oic B#ik a strin' $ instr%m nt! on#( rich r. Rosa#in F For a fraction of a s con$! Ro#an$ saw a sha$ow in th $oorwa(! an$ th n9 th c# an! 'rac f%# "rofi# of th on#( 'ir# h &$ * r #o* $. 5is h art sto"" $. 5 co%#$ not )r ath . 5 want $ to cr( o%t h r nam ! to r ach for h rB B%t his sw atin' "a#ms ) tra( $ him an$ his 'ri" fa#t r $. For s * ra# t rna# s con$s! Ro#an$ f #t #ik h was ho* rin' in th airBan$ th n h "#%mm t $ si+ #on' stori s to th m%$$( 'ro%n$.

A m mor(9 Th o" n $oors of a $i#a"i$at $ )arn. Ro#an$ r co'niC $ it as th rick t( str%ct%r on th north ast corn r of th cast# 'ro%n$s. Th s%n sw "t "ast th $oorwa( at a)o%t si+ o&c#ock on s%mm r * nin's! so Ro#an$ '% ss $ )( th 'o#$ n #i'ht on th ha( that it was n ar#( s * n. N ar#( s%"" rtim Bor th * r7too7)ri f str tch wh n Ro#an$ co%#$ " rs%a$ Rosa#in to st a# a f w mom nts a#on with him. Thro%'h th wi$ woo$ n $oors h saw two si#ho% tt s h%$$# $ in a $ark )ack corn r. Th r ! ) tw n th chick n f $ an$ a r%st( "i# of sick# s! Ro#an$ saw his ar#i r s #f. 5 )ar #( r co'niC $ th )o( h &$ ) n. Th ( w r on an$ th sam ! an$ ( t som thin' ma$ this )o( act%a##( #ook (o%n'. 5o" f%#. Uns"oi# $. 5is woo# n t%nic h%'' $ his )o$(! an$ his ( s w r as )ri'ht as a n w)orn fi##(&s. Sh $i$ that to himBstri"" $ awa( mi## nnia s" nt toi#in' on Earth! his ntir +ist nc in 5 a* n! an$ th w i'ht( Fa## aft rwar$. 5 mi'ht ha* ) n +" ri nc $ at war! at r ) ##ion a'ainst th $i*in ! )%t wh n it cam to romanc ! Ro#an$&s h art ha$ ) n th h art of a chi#$. 5 sat on a thr 7# '' $ woo$ n stoo# an$ 'aC $Bso arn st#( it m)arrass $ him to r ca## itBat th 'or' o%s )#on$7hair $ 'ir# ) for him. Rosa#in r c#in $ on h r si$ in th ha(! o)#i*io%s to th thist# s that c#%n' to h r satin 'own. 5 r hair ha$ a #%st r that was #o* #i r * n than h r m m) r $! an$ h r skin was as smooth an$ )ri'ht as fr sh7skimm $ cr am. 5 r $ownwar$ 'aC m ant that a## Ro#an$ co%#$ s of h r fair )#% ( s was th soft c%rtain of #ash s $riftin' o* r th m. In thos $a(s! h r f%## #i"s ha$ two +"r ssions9 th "o%t th ( c#%n' to now an$ th )ri f 'ift of a smi# sh som tim s ) stow $ on Ro#an$. Both w r $ sira)# .

Both $i$ stran' thin's to him. Sh shift $ in th ha(! f i'nin' )or $om )%t f i'nin' it "oor#(. Sh was transfi+ $ )( his * r( mo* m nt! h co%#$ s that now. EI $o ha* on mor trif# . Sho%#$ m( #a$( #ik to h ar itHG his "ast s #f sai$. Ro#an$ r ca## $ th a' r ti#tin' of his "ast s #f&s chin an$ )%rn $ with sham . Now h r m m) r $ wh( sh ha$ tak n so m%ch con*incin' to a'r to m t him in th )arn. A## h $i$ was assa%#t h r with )a$ "o tr(. Th )o( on th stoo# $i$ not waitBh c# ar#( co%#$ not waitBfor Rosa#in &s #a$(#ik 'roan. An$ wh n Ro#an$ #a%nch $ into his 'r% som * rs ! no on wo%#$ * r ha* '% ss $ that this fai# $ sonn t r ha$ onc ) n th An' # of M%sic.

ESnow( " aks ar s%)7s%)#im ! 0om"ar $ to $aCC#in' Rosa#in . Soft7 ( $ kitt ns ar %nkin$! In th #a" of Rosa#in . As a "o m&s ma$ of #in s! So am I of Rosa#in . Th ( that toi# to sh af an$ )in$! Th n to cart with Rosa#in . As th n%t transc n$s th rin$! S%ch a n%t is Rosa#in . 5 that m(st ri s wo%#$ fin$! First m%st ( )a## Rosa#in .G

At th n$! Ro#an$ #ook $ %" to s Rosa#in &s fac "inch $ into a frown. 5 r m m) r $ it now! str%''# $ to n$%r it a s con$ tim ! an$ f #t th sam h a*in ss in his stomach! #ik an an*i# fa##in' off a c#iff.

Sh sai$9 E?h( $o (o% inf ct m with s%ch c#%ms( * rs HG This tim ! in his m mor(! Ro#an$ h ar$ it in h r *oic 9 Of co%rs F Sh was t asin' him. 5 sho%#$ ha* known it wh n sh r ach $ for his han$ an$ $r w him $own onto th ha( with h r. 5is h art ha$ ) n hamm rin' too #o%$#( for him to h ar h r im"#ication! which now! c# ar#(! was Sh%t %" an$ kiss m . An$ how h ha$ kiss $ h rF That first tim th ir #i"s conn ct $! som thin' i'nit $ within Ro#an$! as if his so%# ha$ ) n # ctrifi $. 5is )o$( ha$ 'on ri'i$ with th ffort of tr(in' not to m ss a sin'# thin' %". 5is #i"s w r w #$ $ to h rs! )%t #im"#(. 5is han$s w r two c#aws '#% $ to h r sho%#$ rs. Rosa#in writh $ a'ainst his 'ri"! )%t for th #if of him h co%#$ not mo* . At #ast sh # t o%t a sw t 'i''# an$ snak $ fr from his arms. Sh # an $ )ackwar$ in th ha(! h r "ink #i"s "%rs $ an$ off7#imits onc a'ain. Sh ( $ him th wa( a chi#$ ( s an o%t7of7fa*or to(. EThat #ack $ 'rac .G Ro#an$ #%rch $ forwar$ on his kn s! his han$s "#ant $ in th ro%'h ha(. ESha## I tr( a'ainH I am c rtain I can $o ) tt rBG E? ##! I sho%#$ ho" so.G 5 r #a%'h was co( an$ # 'ant. Sh # an $ awa( A%st #on' no%'h to t as him! th n #a( )ack in th ha( an$ c#os $ h r ( s. EYo% ma( tr( a'ain.G Ro#an$ inha# $ $ "#(! $rinkin' in th sw tn ss of * r( "art of h r. B%t A%st as h was a)o%t to ) stow anoth r awkwar$ kiss! Rosa#in "r ss $ a han$ a'ainst his ch st. Sh m%st ha* f #t his h art rac ! )%t sh $i$n&t # t on. EThis tim !G sh instr%ct $! Enot so sti#t $. Mor L f#%i$it(. Think of th f#ow of a "o m. ? ##! " rha"s not (o%r "o ms. P rha"s (o%r fa*orit "o m )( anoth r. Throw (o%rs #f into m( kiss.G ELik thisHG Ro#an$ a## )%t f ## on to" of h r! ro##in' to th si$ an$ fin$in' hims #f fac first in th ha(. 5 t%rn $

towar$ h r! f#%sh $. Si$ )( si$ th ( #a(! facin' on anoth r. Sh took his han$s. Th ir hi"s w r to%chin' thro%'h th ir c#oth s. Th ti"s of th ir f t kiss $ witho%t m)arrassm nt. 5 r fac was inch s awa( from his. EYo% miss $ m( mo%th.G 5 r #i"s "art $ in an a##%rin' smi# . ERo#an$! #o* m ans not ) in' afrai$ to # t (o%rs #f 'o! tr%stin' that I wi## $ sir * r(thin' (o% ha* to off r. 4o (o% %n$ rstan$HG EY s! ( s! I %n$ rstan$FG Ro#an$ )r ath $! shimm(in' c#os r for his n +t att m"t. 5is #i"s an$ his han$s an$ his h art w r n ar#( )%rstin' with +" ctation. T ntati* #(! h r ach $ for h rB ERo#an$HG

?hat is it nowH
E5o#$ m ti'ht! sir! (o% won&t )r ak m .G As h kiss $ h r! it s m $ to Ro#an$ that not * n th ca## of L%cif r hims #f co%#$ ha* forc $ him to # t that fair mai$ n 'o. 5 wo%#$ fo##ow h r a$*ic a tho%san$ tim s with oth r #a$i s in th f%t%r ! an$ som tim s h wo%#$ f # som thin'! )%t n * r for #on'! an$ n * r! n * r #ik this.

T5REE

0OUN0IL ?IT5 4ARKNESS

Ro#an$ cam

awak f #in' 8% as( an$ #ost. Th sw t m mor( of #o*in' Rosa#in was s#i""in' awa(. 5 to%ch $ his thro))in' h a$ an$ r a#iC $ that h was #(in' on th 'ro%n$. S#ow#(! h ro## $ to his f t. 5 ach $ som thin' %'#(! )%t nothin' that wo%#$n&t r "air its #f 'i* n tim . 5 '#anc $ )ack %" at th )a#con(. 5 &$ n * r ha* fa## n from it in th o#$ $a(s. Pro)a)#( sho%#$n&t ha* worn f%## armor. 5 was ' ttin' r%st(. 5ow man( tim s ha$ h c#im) $ this * r( wa## in antici"ation of m tin' h rH 5ow man( tim s ha$ Rosa#in &s #on' )#on$ hair ) ckon $ him #ik Ra"%nC #&s #ocksH Us%a##(! wh n Ro#an$ r ach $ th )a#con(! sh wo%#$ ) waitin'! "%r #( #at $ to s him. Sh wo%#$ cr( o%t his nam in a h%sh $ whis" r! th n )o%n$ into his arms. Sh wo%#$ f # so #i'ht! so $ #icat a'ainst him! h r skin sc nt $ with ros wat r from h r )ath! h r )o$( a#most h%mmin' with th "ow r of th ir s cr t #o* B Ro#an$ shook his h a$. No! th ir co%rtshi" ha$ not ) n a## Ao( "%r an$ )ri'ht. On $ark m mor( taint $ th r st. It was th #ast m mor( h ha$ of h r. It cam in th thir$ s ason of th ir s cr t co%rtshi"! as th wor#$ aro%n$ th m t%rn $ towar$ fa## an$ th 'r ns of s%mm r )%rn $ awa( in a riot of f#amin' oran' s an$ r $s.

To' th r th ( "#ann $ to r%n awa(! to sca" h r fath r&s r%# ! as w ## as th "r A%$ic s of a soci t( that wo%#$n&t a##ow a no)# man&s $a%'ht r to ) marri $ to a Moor. Ro#an$ ha$ 'on awa( from his #o* for on w k! %n$ r th '%is of makin' "#ans for th ir n w #if . B%t it ha$ ) n a #i . 5 &$ 'on to s k co%ns # on th r a# "ro)# ms that #a( ) for th m9 ?o%#$ sh sti## #o* him if sh kn wH An$9 0o%#$ h k " his nat%r s cr t from h r an$ sti## 'i* h r a ha""( #if H R a##(! th r ha$ on#( ) n on " rson to t%rn to.

5 fo%n$ 0am at th so%th rn ti" of th is#an$s that wo%#$ on $a( ) ca## $ N w N a#an$. Back th n! )oth is#an$s w r com"# t #( %nto%ch $ )( man. Th Maori wo%#$n&t r ach th #an$ for anoth r ha#f a c nt%r(! so 0am ha$ th who# "#ac to hims #f. As Ro#an$ f# w! th c#iffs thr at n $! as shar" as $a'' rs! %n#ik an( h ha$ s n ) for . Th win$s )or tr ach ro%s#( $own on his win's! tossin' him amon' th c#o%$s. 5 was shi* rin' an$ soak $ )( th tim h r ach $ th *ast! "ristin so%n$ wh r 0am was hi$in' from th %ni* rs . Th wat r was a mirror for th mo%ntains! which w r 'r n with ) ch woo$s. 4i""in' a win' ti" in th wat r as h "ass $ o* r its s%rfac ! Ro#an$ fo%n$ it ic( co#$. 5 shi* r $ an$ k "t on. At th far n$ of th so%n$! h #an$ $ on a s#at 7'ra( )o%#$ r that fac $ an %nfathoma)#( ta## wat rfa##! whos h i'hts w r hi$$ n in mists. At its )as #a( Ro#an$&s fa## n an' # )roth r! # ttin' his win's ) "%mm # $ )( th fa##in' wat r. ?hat was 0am $oin'H An$ how #on' ha$ h ) n #(in'

th r ! in this wat r7tort%r cham) r of his own makin'H E0amFG Ro#an$ sho%t $ his nam thr tim s ) for h 'a* %" an$ wa$ $ in to "%## his )roth r o%t. F #in' som on #s &s to%ch! 0am f#ai# $ an$ c#%n' to th rocks wh r h &$ #ain. B%t th n h r co'niC $ Ro#an$ an$ # t hims #f ) $ra'' $ o%t! s%s"icion shar" on his fac . Ro#an$ ha%# $ th m )oth onto a rock( # $' ) hin$ th fa##s. It was har$ work! an$ it # ft him "antin'! soakin' w t! an$ froC n to his cor . Th # $' was sha##ow! )%t th r was no%'h room for )oth of th m to stan$ on th $am" ston . It was ri#( 8%i t th r A%st ) hin$ th roar of th wat r. E+ha%st $! Ro#an$ sta'' r $ )ackwar$ %nti# his win's m t rock! th n s#i$ $own an$ sat. E2o hom ! Ro#an$.G 0am&s 'r n ( s #ook $ $aC $ an$ $isori nt $ as h "ro"" $ hims #f %" on on #)ow. 5is nak $ )o$( was on sick#( "%r"# )r%is from th wat rfa##&s c as # ss ) atin'. B%t worst of a##! his win'sB Th ( w r shot thro%'h with n w 'o#$ fi) rs. Ro#an$ co%#$n&t h #" a$mirin' how )ri##iant#( th ( shimm r $ %n$ r th moon#i'ht. ESo it&s tr% .G Ro#an$ ha$ h ar$ th r%mors that 0am ha$ cross $ o* r to L%cif r&s si$ . N ith r $ mon s m $ ca"a)# of m%st rin' th rit%a# r s r* $ for 'r tin' n w m m) rs of th fo#$. Th ( w r m ant to m)rac ! thr a$ th ir win' ti"s to' th r as an +"r ssion of ach on &s acc "tanc of th oth r! th acknow# $'m nt that th ( w r saf an$ amon' fri n$s. 0am stoo$! wa#k $ o* r! an$ s"at in Ro#an$&s fac . EYo% #ack th str n'th to ha%# m )ack into s r*ic . 5a* L%cif r com h r hims #f if h f #s I&* ) n n '# ctf%#.G Ro#an$ wi" $ his fac an$ "%## $ hims #f to his f t. 5 r ach $ for 0am! )%t th $ mon f#inch $ awa(. E0am! I $i$n&t com h r toBG

EI cam h r to ) a#on .G 0am mo* $ to a $im corn r of th # $' ! wh r Ro#an$ co%#$ now s a sma## "i# of 'arm nts an$ )a'sB0am&s f w "oss ssions. Ro#an$ tho%'ht h r co'niC $ th "archm nt scro## that co%#$ ha* ) n his marria' a'r m nt! )%t 0am 8%ick#( f#%n' a sha''( sh "skin c#oak aro%n$ his )o$( an$ t%ck $ th "archm nt into a $ " "ock t insi$ . EOh! (o%&r sti## h r HG EI n $ a$*ic ! 0am.G EOn whatH Li*in' th 'oo$ #if HG 0am&s s"ark ha$ com )ack! )%t it s m $ 'arish in this "a# ! sha$ow( s" ct r stan$in' ) for Ro#an$. EStart )( fin$in' (o%rs #f a $ s rt $ is#an$. This on &s tak n! )%t th r m%st ) mor o%t th r som wh r .G 5 f#%n' his han$ o%t at th wor#$! at Ro#an$. EI #o* a morta# woman!G Ro#an$ sai$ * r( s#ow#(. EI want to sha" m( #if aro%n$ h r.G EYo% $on&t ha* a #if . Yo%&r a fa## n an' # on th oth r si$ . Yo%&r a $ mon.G EYo% know what I m an.G ETak it from m . Lo* is im"ossi)# . 2 t o%t an$ sa* (o%rs #f th h artach .G In that mom nt! Ro#an$ r a#iC $ h &$ ) n foo#ish to 'o to 0am for a$*ic . An$ ( t h &$ ha$ to com . 0am&s #o* stor( ha$n&t work $ o%tB)%t h sti## %n$ rstoo$ what Ro#an$ was 'oin' thro%'h. EP rha"s (o% co%#$ t ## m what L not to $oHG EA## ri'ht!G 0am sai$! takin' a $ "! sh%$$ rin' )r ath. EFin . 4o not $ m an (o%rs #f )( #i*in' a #i . 4o not ask m if sh wi## #o* (o% if sh fin$s o%t what (o% ar B * n th most #o* sick foo# knows th answ r to that. Sh wi## not. Sh cannot. 4o not $r am that (o% can k " s%ch a s cr t from h r! ith r. An$ a)o* a##! for L%cif r&s sak ! $o not for' t that no t m"# on arth wi## ha* (o% sho%#$ (o% choos to w $ this "oor cr at%r .G EI ) #i * I can mak this work! 0am.G

EYo% ) #i * (o% an$ (o%r #o* s ( to ( ! th nHG EY s. ? ar $ *ot $ to on anoth r.G EAn$ what is h r *i w on t rnit(HG Ro#an$ "a%s $. E4on&t t ## m (o% $on&t knowH Fin th n! I&## t ## (o%. 5 r ! Ro#an$! is th %n8% stiona)# tr%th a)o%t o%r immorta#it(9 Morta#s cannot fathom it. It fri'ht ns th m. Th know# $' wi## $ *o%r h rBthat sh wi## 'row o#$ an$ $i an$ (o% wi## r main th (o%n' an$ stra""in' $ *i# that (o% ar .G EI co%#$ chan' for h rBI co%#$ mak m(s #f 'row o#$! a"" ar to wrink# an$ with r an$BG ERo#an$.G 0am&s fac so%r $. EThat isn&t (o%r st(# . ?ho * r sh is! it wi## ) asi r on h r now! wh n sh is no $o%)t (o%n' an$ sha" #( an$ can fin$ anoth r mat . 4on&t wast h r ) st ( ars.G EB%t som how! #o* m%st ) "ossi)# . 1%st ) ca%s (o% an$ Li#ith co%#$n&tBG

E? &r not ta#kin' a)o%t m .G

Th ( stoo$ si# nt#( an$ #ist n $ to th choin' of th fa##in' wat r aro%n$ th m. EFin !G Ro#an$ sai$ at #ast! Eth n what a)o%t 4ani # an$ L%BG E?hat a)o%t th mHG 0am roar $ into th wat rfa##. 5is fac t%rn $ r $ with s%$$ n f%r(. EIf th (&r (o%r mo$ #s! 'o ask th m for a$*ic .G 5 shook his h a$! $is'%st $. E? a## know what wi## ) com of th m an(wa(.G E?hat $o (o% m anHG Now 0am t%rn $ c# ar 'r n ( s on Ro#an$. An$ Ro#an$ f#%sh $ to fin$ hims #f ) in' "iti $. EIn th n$!G 0am sai$! Eh wi## a)an$on h r. 5 has no choic . 5 is no match for this c%rs . It wi## o%t#ast him an$ %n$o him.G Ro#an$&s win's )rist# $. EYo%&r wron'. Yo% ha* 'rown too c#os to L%cif rBG EThat co%#$n&t ) f%rth r from th tr%th!G 0am hoot $! )%t wh n h s"%n aro%n$! Ro#an$ notic $ th )ran$in' on th

)ack of his n ck. Th tattoo r ach $ A%st ) (on$ th hi'h co##ar of his c#oak. Unmistaka)# . EYo% w ar his mark nowHG Ro#an$&s *oic tr m)# $. 5 $i$n&t ha* on . ?o%#$ n * r ho" to ) off r $ on . L%cif r on#( )ran$ $ c rtain $ mons! $ mons with whom h want $ a s" cia# r #ationshi". E0am! (o% can&tBG 0am ca%'ht Ro#an$&s fac in his han$ an$ h #$ ti'ht. Th ( stoo$ c#os ! #ock $ in an intimat 'ri". Ro#an$ $i$n&t know if th ( w r n mi s or fri n$s. E?ho cam to whom to ask for a$*ic ! Ro#an$H ? ar not ta#kin' a)o%t m an$ th wa( I con$%ct m(s #f. ? ar ta#kin' a)o%t (o% an$ th "itif%# #o* stor( that (o% ar 'oin' to ha* to n$.G ETh r m%st ) a wa( toBG EFac it9 Yo% wo%#$n&t ha* com to m if (o% $i$n&t a#r a$( know th answ r.G

Of a## th thin's that 0am ha$ to#$ him that $a( at th wat rfa##! his "artin' wor$s w r th har$ st on s9 Y s! Ro#an$ ha$ a#r a$( known th answ r h so%'ht. 5 &$ A%st ho" $ that som on wo%#$ t ## him oth rwis an$ sa* him from ha*in' to $o what ha$ to ) $on . ?h n h cam )ack to t ## h r! Rosa#in s m $ a#r a$( to know. 5 c#im) $ to h r )a#con(! )%t sh $i$ not r%sh to kiss him. 5 r fac stiff n $ in s%s"icion as soon as h cam into h r cham) rs. EI s ns a chan' in (o%.G 5 r *oic was co#$ with f ar. E?hat is itHG Ro#an$&s )o$( ach $ wh n h saw h r #ook so sa$. 5 $i$ not want to #i to h r! )%t h co%#$ not fin$ th wor$s. EOh! Rosa#in ! th r is so m%ch I co%#$ t ## (o%BG Th n! as if Rosa#in r m m) r $ his #o8%acio%s "o ms! sh $ man$ $9 EAnsw r m in on wor$. ?hat $o s o%r

f%t%r ho#$HG That ha$ ) n mor than a tho%san$ ( ars a'o. An$ sti##! Ro#an$ crin' $ now! thinkin' )ack on what h &$ to#$ h r. 5 wish $ h co%#$ smash this m mor( an$ th mom nt with it. B%t it ha$ ha"" n $. An$ (o% co%#$n&t chan' th "ast. 5 ha$ 'i* n Rosa#in h r on wor$9 EFar w ##.G 5 &$ want $ to sa(! EFor * r.G B%t 0am ha$ s"ok n tr%#(9 For * r wasn&t "ossi)# ) tw n a woman an$ a fa## n an' #. 5 &$ f# $ ) for sh co%#$ ) ' him not to 'o. 5 tho%'ht h was ) in' *a#iant. B%t #if ha$ ta%'ht him that h wasn&t. 5 was $ *astat $ an$ scar $. Aft r that! Ro#an$ ha$ on#( s n h r onc mor 9 two w ks #at r! wh n h &$ ho* r $ o%t of si'ht of h r cast# win$ow an$ watch $ his #o* w " for on f%## ho%r. Aft r that! h *ow $ n * r to ca%s an(on "ain in #o* . 5 $isa"" ar $. It ) cam his wa(. Ro#an$ )r%sh $ som thin' from his ch k an$ was st%nn $ to fin$ it was a t ar. Tho%'h h &$ wi" $ a mi##ion )rin( $ro"s from oth r ch ks! h co%#$ not r ca## a tim wh n h hims #f ha$ cri $. 5 tho%'ht of L%cin$a an$ 4ani #! of th ir t rna# $ *otion to ach oth r. Th ( $i$ not wa#k awa( from th ir mistak sBan$ o* r th c nt%ri s! th ( ha$ ma$ man( of th m. Th ( r t%rn $ to thos mistak s! r *isit $ th m! work $ thro%'h th m! %nti# som thin' ha$ at #ast c#ick $ in this fina# #if ! wh n sh was r incarnat $ as L%cin$a Pric . It was what ha$ $ri* n h r to f# into h r "astBto fin$ th so#%tion to th c%rs . So that sh an$ 4ani # co%#$ ) to' th r. Th ( wo%#$ a#wa(s ) to' th r. A#wa(s ha* ach oth r! no matt r what. Ro#an$ ha$ no on .

Si# nt#(! h ros to his f t an$ ma$ his own @a# ntin &s "# $' . 5 wo%#$ sca# th wa## to Rosa#in a'ainBan$ r $ m hims #f th on#( wa( h kn w how.

FOUR

LO@E&S PUPIL

Back%" th

o%t r wa##! a s con$ s#ink a#on' th ston "ara" t! an$ th n th fina# sh r asc nt to th t%rr t an$ its )a#con( an$ Rosa#in onc mor . B( th tim Ro#an$ a'ain r ach $ th )a#con(! th s%n was #ow in th sk(! castin' #on' sha$ows o* r his sho%#$ r. Anno%nc rs shift $ an$ coi# $ within th sha$ows! a wa( of whis" rin' ? ar h r ! )%t th ( # ft Ro#an$ a#on . Th t m" rat%r ha$ $ro"" $! an$ now th air carri $ hints of smok an$ a comin' frost. 5 ima'in $ nt rin' th t%rr t *ia th )a#con(! st a#in' thro%'h th twi#i'ht7$ark ha##s %nti# h fo%n$ h r in h r room. An$ th n h "ict%r $ h r +"r ssion9 Ima' s of h r sta'' rin' )ackwar$ in amaC m nt! Ao( "#ain on h r fac ! han$s c# nch $ to h r +8%isit )r ast L B%t what if sh was an'r(H Sti## an'r(! fi* ( ars #at r. It was "ossi)# . 5 sho%#$n&t r%# it o%t. Th (&$ shar $ som thin' rar an$ ) a%tif%#! an$ h &$ # arn $ that wom n f #t $ "#( wh n it cam to #o* . Th ( f #t #o* in wa(s Ro#an$ co%#$ n * r %n$ rstan$! as if th ir h arts ha$ +tra cham) rs! *ast infinit s wh r #o* co%#$ sta( an$ n * r # a* . ?hat was h $oin' h r H Th win$ wo* its wa( ) n ath his st # armor. 5 sho%#$n&t ) h r . This "art of

his #if was o* r. 0am mi'ht ha* ) n wron' a)o%t #o* ! )%t h wasn&t wron' a)o%t how tim ha$ chan' $ Ro#an$. 5 sho%#$ c#im) )ack $own! ' t on his hors ! an$ fin$ 4ani #. On#( L h co%#$n&t. ?hat co%#$ h $oH 5 co%#$ 'ro* #. 5 co%#$ $ro" to his kn s an$ )ow ) for h r! ) ' for for'i* n ss. 5 co%#$ an$ h wo%#$B Unti# this mom nt! h ha$ not * n r a#iC $ h want $ h r for'i* n ss. 5 was n ar th )a#con( now! tr m)#in'. ?as h n r*o%s or +cit $H 5 &$ com this far! an$ sti## h $i$n&t know what h wo%#$ sa(. A f w #in s of a "o m form $ in th ha)it&s corn r of his h art L

L t no fac r si$ in min$ B%t th fac of Rosa#in .

NoBthis was wh r h &$ 'ott n into tro%)# with h r ) for 9 Sh $i$n&t n $ )a$ "o tr(. Sh n $ $ )o$i#(! r ci"roca# #o* . 0o%#$ Ro#an$ 'i* that to h r nowH Th r $ c%rtain r%st# $ in th win$! th n "art $ at th )o#$ to%ch of his fin' rs. 5 conc a# $ hims #f ) hin$ th ston wa## )%t cran $ his n ck %nti# his 'aC nt r $ th ) $room wh r h %s $ to sit with h r. Rosa#in . Sh was '#orio%s! sittin' in a woo$ n chair in th corn r! sin'in' %n$ r h r )r ath. 5 r fac was o#$ r! )%t th ( ars ha$ ) n kin$9 Sh ha$ 'rown from Ro#an$&s 'ir# into a ) a%tif%# (o%n' woman. Sh was '#owin'. Sh was s" ctac%#ar. Y s! Ro#an$ kn w h ha$ ma$ a mistak . 5 &$ ) n 'r n at #o* an$ foo#ish! c(nica# an$ %ns%r that what th (

ha$ co%#$ #ast. Too 8%ick to h $ 0am&s )itt r "rono%nc m nts. B%t #ook at L%c an$ 4ani #. Th ( ha$ shown Ro#an$ that #o* co%#$ s%r*i* * n th harsh st of "%nishm nts. An$ ma() * r(thin' %" %nti# this mom ntBacci$ nta##( comin' )ack to this ra! a'r in' to h #" Sh #)( an$ Mi# s! ri$in' "ast Rosa#in &s o#$ cast# Bha$ ha"" n $ for a r ason. 5 was ) in' 'i* n a s con$ chanc at #o* . This tim ! h &$ fo##ow his h art. 5 was r a$( to )o%n$ in thro%'h th o" n win$ow.L B%t waitB Rosa#in was not sin'in' to h rs #f. Ro#an$ )#ink $! #ookin' a'ain. Sh ha$ an a%$i nc 9 a sma## chi#$! swa$$# $ in a f ath r 8%i#t. Th chi#$ was n%rsin'. Rosa#in was a moth r. Rosa#in was som man&s wif . Ro#an$&s )o$( stiff n $ an$ a sma## 'as" sca" $ his #i"s. 5 sho%#$ ha* ) n r #i * $ to s h r #ookin' so w ##Bth ha""i st sh &$ * r #ook $B)%t a## h f #t was "ow rf%##( #on #(. 5 ro## $ h a*i#( awa( from th )a#con( $oor! s#ammin' his )ack a'ainst th tow r&s c%r* $ wa##. ?hat kin$ of man ha$ tak n th "#ac Ro#an$ n * r sho%#$ ha* # ftH 5 $ar $ anoth r #ook insi$ ! watch $ as Rosa#in 'ot %" from th chair an$ #ai$ th )a)( in its woo$ n cra$# . Ro#an$ c#os $ his ( s an$ #ist n $ to h r footst "s fa$in' #ik a son' as sh "a$$ $ o%t of th room an$ $own th ha##wa(. This co%#$n&t ) th wa( it n$ $! his #ast si'ht of #o* . Foo#. Foo# to com )ack. Foo# not to # a* w ## no%'h a#on . Instincti* #(! h fo##ow $ h r! craw#in' a#on' th t%rr t&s sha##ow # $' to th n +t win$ow. 5 'ri"" $ th wa## with his a)ra$ $ fin' rs. This cham) r! n +t to th room wh r h &$ s n

Rosa#in ! %s $ to ) #on' to h r )roth r! 2 offr (. B%t wh n Ro#an$ # an $ in to " k thro%'h th c%r* $ "an ! th r w r wom n&s c#oth s han'in' )( th win$ow. 5 h ar$ a man&s #ow *oic ! an$ th nBin r "#(B Rosa#in &s. A (o%n' man sat with his )ack to Ro#an$ at th $' of a $amask7co* r $ ) $. ?h n h t%rn $ his h a$! his "rofi# was han$som ! )%t not $ *astatin'#( so. Smooth )rown hair! fr ck# $ skin! an hon st s#o"in' nos . A woman #a( s"raw# $ across him on th ) $! h r )#on$ h a$ n st# $ in his #a" in th cas%a# wa( of two " o"# who w r as comforta)# with ach oth r&s #im)s as th ( w r with th ir own. Sh was w "in'. Sh was Rosa#in . EB%t wh(! A# +an$ rHG ?h n sh rais $ h r t ar7str ak $ fac to #ook at him! Ro#an$&s h art ca%'ht in his throat. A# +an$ rBh r h%s)an$Bstrok $ his wif &s tan'# $ )#on$ hair. EM( #o* .G 5 kiss $ h r nos ! th #ast "#ac Ro#an$ wo%#$ ha* 'on ha$ h ha$ acc ss to thos #i"s. EM( hors is sa$$# $. Th m n await m at th )arracks. Yo% know that I m%st # a* ) for ni'htfa## to Aoin th m.G Rosa#in 'ri"" $ th whit s# * of his %n$ rshirt an$ so)) $. EM( fath r has a tho%san$ kni'hts who can tak (o%r "#ac . I "ra( (o%! $o not # a* m B$o not # a* %sB to 'o an$ fi'ht.G EYo%r fath r has a#r a$( ) n too ' n ro%s. ?h( sho%#$ anoth r man tak m( "#ac wh n I am (o%n' an$ a)# H It is m( $%t(! Rosa#in . I m%st 'o. ?h n o%r cr%sa$ is $on ! I wi## r t%rn to (o%.G Sh shook h r h a$! h r ch ks "ink with f%r(. EI cannot ) ar to #os (o%. I cannot #i* witho%t (o%.G Ro#an$&s h art st%tt r $ at th wor$s. EYo% won&t ha* to!G A# +an$ r sai$. EI 'i* (o% m( wor$9 I sha## r t%rn.G 5 ros from th ) $! h #"in' his wif to h r f t. Ro#an$

notic $ with r n w $ A a#o%s( that sh was "r 'nant with anoth r chi#$. 5 r ) ##( "rotr%$ $ %n$ r th fin r%ch $ 'own. Sh r st $ h r han$s on it! $ s"on$ nt. Ro#an$ wo%#$ n * r ) a)# to # a* h r in a stat #ik that. 5ow co%#$ this man 'o off to warH ?hat war matt r $ in th fac of #o* &s o)#i'ationsH An( h artach sh mi'ht ha* f #t for Ro#an$ fi* ( ars a'o "a# $ in com"arison to this! ) ca%s this man was not on#( h r #o* r an$ h r h%s)an$Bh was a#so th fath r of h r chi#$r n. Ro#an$&s h art sa'' $. 5 co%#$ not a)i$ this. 5 tho%'ht of a## thos ( ars ) tw n this m $i *a# h art)r ak an$ th "r s nt h &$ com )ack fromBth c nt%ri s h &$ s" nt on th moon! wan$ rin' #ost thro%'h its cra's an$ "ocks! a)an$onin' his $%ti s! A%st tr(in' to for' t h ha$ * r s n h r. 5 tho%'ht of th *oi$ of tim h &$ s%rr n$ r $ insi$ th "orta# that conn ct $ 1%#( to S "t m) r! a)an$onin' * r(thin' th wa( h ha$ a)an$on $ Rosa#in . B%t now h kn w that no matt r how #on' his infinit( #ast $! h wo%#$ n * r for' t h r t ars. ?hat a narcissistic foo# h ha$ ) n. Sh $i$n&t n $ his a"o#o'(Bto a"o#o'iC to h r now wo%#$ ) who##( s #fish! A%st Ro#an$ s kin' r #i f for his '%i#t( consci nc . An$ o" nin' h r wo%n$s an w. Th r was nothin' h co%#$ $o or ) for Rosa#in an(mor . Or a#most nothin'.

Th (o%n' man #ook $ #ank( an$ %ncoor$inat $ as h a""roach $ th sta)# wh r Ro#an$ wait $. 5 carri $ his h #m t in his han$! # a*in' his fac +"os $. Ro#an$ st%$i $ it. 5 hat $ an$ r s" ct $ this man! who c# ar#( f #t )oth o)#i'at $ an$ r #%ctant to fi'ht. 0o%#$ honor an$ $%t( m an mor to him than #o* H Or ma() this conf%sion of

honor an$ $%t( was #o* B"ara$o+ s "i# $ hi'h r than th f%rth st r ach s of th stars. ?ho wo%#$ want to 'o to war an$ # a* a #o*in' fami#(H ESo#$i r!G Ro#an$ ca## $ to A# +an$ r wh n h was c#os no%'h to r co'niC th torm nt in his ( s. EYo% ar A# +an$ r! kin of m( #or$ 1ohn! who ho#$s th tit# of this fi fHG EAn$ who ar (o%HG A# +an$ r st "" $ across th thr sho#$ of th sta)# . 5is "a# )rown ( s narrow $ as th ( took in Ro#an$&s forma# armor. E?hat )att# ha* (o% com from! $r ss $ #ik thatHG EI ha* ) n s nt h r to tak (o%r "#ac in th cam"ai'n.G A# +an$ r sto"" $. EM( wif s nt (o%H 5 r fath rHG 5 shook his h a$. ESt " asi$ ! so#$i r. L t m ri$ on.G EIn$ $! I wi## not. Yo%r assi'nm nt has chan' $. Yo% know th t rrain in this *icinit( ) tt r than most. 4an' ro%s tim s ma( ) %"on %s if th )att# $o s not fa*or %s in th North. If w r tr at! (o% wi## ) n $ $ h r to '%ar$ th cit( from intr%$ rs.G A# +an$ r ti#t $ his h a$. EShow (o%r fac ! so#$i r! for I $o not tr%st a man who hi$ s ) hin$ a mask.G EM( fac is no conc rn of (o%rs.G E?ho ar (o%HG EA man who knows that (o%r $%t( is h r amon' (o%r fami#(. A## th s"oi#s of war matt r not in th fac of tr% #o* an$ fami#ia# honor. Now! stan$ $own if (o% wish to #i* .G A# +an$ r # t o%t a soft #a%'h! )%t th n his +"r ssion chan' $ into som thin' har$ r. 5 $r w his swor$. EL t&s ha* it! th n.G Ro#an$ sho%#$ ha* +" ct $ this. An$ ( t it 'a## $ him. 5ow co%#$ this man ) so int nt on # a*in' h rH Ro#an$ wo%#$ n * r # a* h rF An$ ( t! of co%rs ! h a#r a$( ha$. A)an$on $ his on tr% #o* #ik a ca##o%s! st%"i$ foo#. 5 ha$ ) n a#on * r sinc . So#it%$ was on thin'! )%t it war" $ into %'#(!

wr tch $ #on #in ss aft r th so%# ha$ tast $ #o* . No man sho%#$ ) a##ow $ to mak th sam mistak . E* n thro%'h his A a#o%s(! Ro#an$ co%#$ s that. It f ## to him to sto" A# +an$ r. 5 swa##ow $! si'h $ inwar$#(! an$ $r w his swor$. It was a m t r #on' an$ as shar" as th "ain sta))in' his h art at ha*in' to confront this man. ESo#$i r!G Ro#an$ sai$ f#at#(. EI $o not A st.G Th man a$*anc $! wa*in' his swor$ awkwar$#(. Ro#an$ $ f# ct $ it with an ffort# ss f#ick of th wrist. Th )#a$ s c#ash $ $%##(. A# +an$ r&s s#i$ arthwar$ with th #i'ht st '%i$anc from Ro#an$&s )#a$ ! %nti# it '#anc $ off th w t ha( on th f#oor of th sta)# . E?h( wo%#$ (o% so wi##in'#( ri$ to (o%r own $ athHG Ro#an$ ask $. A# +an$ r 'r%nt $ an$ #%rch $ )ack into fi'htin' "osition! raisin' his )#a$ ch st hi'h. EI am not a cowar$.G P rha"s not! )%t h was +c "tiona##( %nski## $. 5 ha$ "ro)a)#( "ick $ %" som swor$smanshi" as a chi#$! Ao%stin' at ha(stacks at s%mm r f sti*a#s with his )o(hoo$ fri n$s. 5 was no so#$i r. 5 &$ ) $ a$ in an ho%r on th front. Or Ro#an$ co%#$ ki## him now.L In that mom nt! h ha$ a *ision of his )#a$ swin'in' $ ft#( $own on this man&s )ar n ck. Th shock of a s * r $ s"in an$ th s#ick r $ )#oo$ $ri""in' from th st # onto th $irt. 5ow as( to n$ this man&s short #if . Tak his "#ac %" in that tow r an$ #o* h r as sh n $ $ to ) #o* $. Ro#an$ kn w how to $o it now. B%t th n h )#ink $ an$ saw Rosa#in . Th )a)(. 4o not s#a%'ht r! h r min$ $ hims #f. On#( " rs%a$ . 5 # a" $ forwar$ #i'ht#(! swin'in' his swor$ towar$ A# +an$ r! who scram)# $ )ackwar$! s"innin' wi#$#( awa(. This tim h a*oi$ $ Ro#an$&s )#a$ )( sh r #%ck.

Ro#an$ #a%'h $ an$ his #a%'ht r tast $ )itt r. EI am off rin' (o% a )oon! so#$i rBan$ I "romis (o%! I fo##ow a hi'h r comman$ than (o%r #i ' . Know that I wi## not $ishonor (o%r int ntions. L t m 'o to war for (o%.G EYo% s" ak in ri$$# s.G A# +an$ r&s f ar ha$ str tch $ th skin aro%n$ his mo%th ti'ht as a # ath r $r%m. EYo% cannot r "#ac m .G EY s!G Ro#an$ sai$! s thin'. EIf nothin' #s ! at # ast I know that.G In a )%rst of *io# nc ! Ro#an$ for'ot his "%r"os . 5 w nt at A# +an$ r with th f%r( of a #o* r scorn $. In th fac of Ro#an$&s )#a$ ! A# +an$ r stoo$ ri'i$! swor$ +t n$ $. To his cr $it! h $i$ not )ack awa(. B%t with anoth r c#ash of th ir swor$s! Ro#an$ ha$ $isarm $ A# +an$ r. 5 h #$ his )#a$ &s ti" at th (o%n' man&s h a*in' throat. EA tr% kni'ht wo%#$ (i #$. 5 wo%#$ acc "t m( off r an$ s r* his " o"# h r ! "rot ctin' his hom an$ his n i'h)ors wh n th ( n $ "rot ction.G Ro#an$ swa##ow $. E4o (o% (i #$! sirHG A# +an$ r 'as" $ for air! %na)# to s" ak. 5 k "t castin' his ( s $ownwar$ to th )#a$ at his n ck. 5 was t rrifi $. 5 no$$ $. 5 wo%#$ (i #$. A ca#m cam o* r Ro#an$! an$ h # t hims #f c#os his ( s. 5 an$ this "a# morta# A# +an$ r #o* $ th sam )ri'ht thin'. Th ( co%#$ not ) n mi s. It was th n that Ro#an$ chos his si$ . 5 wo%#$ not s"ar A# +an$ r&s #if for A# +an$ r&s sak ! )%t for Rosa#in &s. EYo% ar a )ra* r man than I.G An$ it was tr% ! for A# +an$ r ha$ ) n stron' no%'h to #o* Rosa#in wh n Ro#an$ was too afrai$. EEm)rac th #%ck I 'i* (o% this ni'ht an$ r t%rn to (o%r fami#(.G 5 ha$ to work to k " his *oic st a$(. EKiss (o%r wif an$ rais (o%r chi#$r n. That is honor.G Th ( h #$ ach oth r&s 'aC for a #on'! t ns mom nt! %nti# Ro#an$ ) 'an to f # that A# +an$ r co%#$ s thro%'h

th s#it in his *isor. 5ow co%#$ A# +an$ r not f # th ach in th air ) tw n th mH 5ow co%#$ h not s ns how c#os Ro#an$ ha$ com to ki##in' him an$ takin' his "#ac H Ro#an$ with$r w his swor$ from A# +an$ r&s n ck. 5 sh ath $ his w a"on! mo%nt $ his hors ! an$ ro$ o%t of th sta)# into th ni'ht.

Th roa$ was )ar an$ )#% in th moon#i'ht. Ro#an$ h a$ $ north. 5 sti## n $ $ to fin$ 4ani #Bat # ast on #o* sho%#$ ) r $ m $ in this Ao%st with tim . For a 8%art r of an ho%r! Ro#an$ #ost hims #f in tho%'hts of Rosa#in ! )%t th m mor( was too "ainf%# to in$%#' for #on'. 5is ( s r foc%s $ on th roa$ wh n h saw a ri$ r 'a##o"in' towar$ him on a coa#7)#ack hors . E* n in th $arkn ss! th r was som thin' stran' an$ ( t fami#iar a)o%t th kni'ht&s armor. For a mom nt! Ro#an$ won$ r $ wh th r it was his own form r s #f! )%t wh n th kni'ht "%t %" a han$ to s#ow Ro#an$&s ri$ ! his ' st%r s w r mor %r' nt than Ro#an$&s wo%#$ ha* ) n. Th ( sto"" $ ) for on anoth r! th ir hors s whick rin' as th ( circ# $! )r athin' frost. EYo% com from (on$ r stat HG Th kni'ht&s *oic )oom $ across th roa$ as h "oint $ towar$ th cast# in th $istanc . 5 m%st ha* tho%'ht Ro#an$ was A# +an$ r. 5a$ this kni'ht ) n s nt to scort A# +an$ r to th frontH EY7( s!G Ro#an$ stamm r $. EI am a r "#ac m nt forBG ERo#an$HG Th so#$i r&s *oic chan' $ from what Ro#an$ r a#iC $ was a hoars ! aff ct $ )oom into som thin' ff r* sc nt an$ fantastica##( charmin'. Th kni'ht thr w off his h #m t. B#ack hair ro## $ #ik ra"i$s $own th s%it of armor! an$ th n! in th moon#i'ht! Ro#an$ saw th fac h &$ known ) tt r than an( oth r sinc th $awn of tim .

EArrian FG Th ( # a" $ from th ir hors s an$ into ach oth r&s arms. Ro#an$ $i$n&t know how #on' it ha$ ) n sinc his m $i *a# s #f ha$ s n this m $i *a# Arrian ! )%t th motiona# )att# h &$ A%st s%r*i* $ ma$ it f # #ik c nt%ri s ha$ "ass $ sinc h &$ #ast s n a fri n$. 5 s"%n th wir( an' # aro%n$. 5 r win's )#oom $ o%t of s#its in h r armor! an$ Ro#an$ n*i $ h r th ir fr $om. Of co%rs h r c#oth s wo%#$ ) tai#or $ for win'sBa## of th m ha$ ) n )ack th n. Ro#an$ f #t ca' $ in his )orrow $ m ta# s%it! )%t h $i$n&t want to com"#ain to Arrian . Sh $i$ not know ( t that h was an Anachronism! an$ h want $ to k " it that wa(. 5 was so '#a$ to s h r. Th moon#i'ht shon #ik a s"ot#i'ht on his fri n$&s whit skin. ?h n sh t%rn $ h r h a$! Ro#an$ 'as" $. A horrific )%rn '#ist n $ on th # ft si$ of h r n ck. Th skin was mar)# $! knott $! )# $in'! th most 'r% som kin$ of wo%n$. Ro#an$ r coi# $ witho%t m anin' to! makin' Arrian s #f7conscio%s. Sh r ach $ %" to co* r th wo%n$ )%t 'roan $ wh n h r fin' rs 'raC $ it. Ro#an$ ha$ s n this scar a tho%san$ tim s in f%t%r nco%nt rs with Arrian ! )%t its ori'in r main $ a m(st r( to him. On#( on thin' co%#$ h%rt an an' # that wa(! )%t h &$ n * r known how to ask h r a)o%t it. Th wo%n$ was fr sh now! #ik a rash of f#am s across h r n ck. Sh m%st ha* s%stain $ th inA%r( on#( r c nt#(. EArrian ! what ha"" n $ to (o%HG Sh #ook $ awa(! not m anin' to 'i* Ro#an$ an * n c# ar r *i w of h r ra*a' $ skin. Sh sniff $. ELo* is h ##.G EB%tGBRo#an$ c#os $ his ( s! h arin' th #in r " atin' its #f in his min$BEan an' #&s form cannot ) marr $! +c "t )( LG Arrian #ook $ awa( in sham ! an$ Ro#an$ $r w h r to him. EOh! Arrian FG h cri $! c#as"in' his arms aro%n$ h r waist! his ( s $rawn to an$ r " ## $ )( h r

n ck. 5 co%#$ not m)rac h r as h want $ to! co%#$ not s8% C awa( th "ain. EI ach for (o%.G Sh no$$ $. Sh kn w. Sh ha$ n * r #ik $ to cr(. Sh sai$! EI&* A%st com from s in' 4ani #.G EI was on m( wa( to m t him!G Ro#an$ sai$! )r ath# ss with th #%ck of it. E5is "r s nc is r 8%ir $ at Saint @a# ntin &s Fair .G E5 ri$ s to town this * nin'. 5 ma( w ## ) th r a#r a$(. L%cin$a wi## ) ha""(! at # ast.G EY s!G Ro#an$ sai$! r m m) rin' mor c# ar#( now. EYo% w r th kni'ht who cam to $ #i* r that m ssa' to th oth rs in th cam". It wasn&t m . Yo% for' $ th kin'&s $ cr that to#$ th m n to tak th ir @a# ntin &s # a* .G Arrian cross $ h r arms o* r h r ch st. E5ow $i$ (o% know thatHG E0#air*o(ant.G 5 was s%r"ris $ to fin$ hims #f smi#in'. It was no%'h to ha* h r h r ! his $ ar st fri n$. It ma$ this Ao%rn ( into his "ast h art)r ak a #itt# # ss )# ak. Ro#an$ "ick $ %" Arrian &s h #m t! h #" $ h r )ack onto h r hors . 5 mo%nt $ an$ $ro"" $ his *isor onc a'ain. Si$ )( si$ ! th two kni'hts ro$ for th cit(. Som tim s #o* was not a)o%t winnin'! )%t a)o%t wis sacrific an$ th r #ia)i#it( of fri n$s #ik Arrian . Fri n$shi"! Ro#an$ r a#iC $! was its * r( own kin$ of #o* .

BURNIN2 LO@E

T5E @ALENTINE OF ARRIANE

ONE

T5E SE0RET

Arrian

#ook $ o%t at th th(m 7sc nt $ T%scan mornin' an$ si'h $. Sh was s"raw# $ on 'r n7* #* t 'rass! "ro"" $ on h r #)ows with h r chin in h r "a#ms! r #ishin' th %ns asona)# warmth an$ th s nsation of soft fin' rs r%nnin' thro%'h h r #on' $ark hair. This was how Arrian an$ T ss s" nt th ir rar aft rnoons to' th r9 On 'ir# )rai$ $! th oth r s"%n stori s. Th n th ( switch $ ro# s. EOnc th r was an +traor$inar( an' #!G Arrian ) 'an! t%rnin' h r h a$ to th si$ so T ss co%#$ sw " th hair %" from h r n ck. T ss was ) tt r at )rai$in' than Arrian . Sh wo%#$ sit ) si$ Arrian with a )ask t of for st wi#$f#ow rs in h r #a". Sh &$ # an o* r Arrian &s narrow )ack an$ w a* ti'ht "#aits into th an' #&s thick hair. Sh &$ "in th )rai$s so th ( Ci'Ca'' $ across Arrian &s sca#"! %nti# sh #ook $ #ik M $%sa! which was Arrian &s fa*orit st(# . Arrian ! on th oth r han$! was #%ck( to ' t T ss&s wi#$ r $ mo" into a sin'# crook $ )rai$. Sh &$ "%## an$ t%' an$ wr st# th com) thro%'h T ss&s #ocks %nti# T ss ( #" $ in "ain. B%t Arrian was ) tt r at stor(t ##in'. An$ what wo%#$ )rai$in' ) witho%t a 'oo$ stor(H No f%n at a##.

Arrian c#os $ h r ( s an$ moan $ as T ss&s fin' rnai#s swi* # $ %" h r sca#". Nothin' f #t so 'oo$ as a #o* r&s to%ch. EArrian HG EY s.G 5 r ( s o" n $! h r 'aC $riftin' o* r th "ast%r wh r $air( cows #oaf $ on th farm&s two h%n$r $ acr s. Th s w r h r fa*orit mom nts9 8%i t an$ %ncom"#icat $! A%st th two of th m. It was #at in th aft rnoonI most of th mi#kmai$s who work $ on th farm wh r Arrian ha$ tak n h r m"#o(m nt w r a#r a$( )ack at th ir cotta' s. Sh &$ chos n this Ao) ) ca%s it wasn&t far from L%cin$a! who! in this #if tim ! ha$ 'rown %" in an En'#ish fi f$om a f w min%t s& f#( north. 2 n ra##(! 4ani # f #t stif# $ )( th "r s nc of Arrian an$ th oth r an' #s task $ with watchin' o* r him. B%t from th $air(! Arrian co%#$ 'i* him s"ac an$ sti## f#( to him an$ L%cin$a 8%ick#( if n $ $. B si$ s! Arrian nAo( $ $i""in' into a morta# #if st(# * r( onc in a whi# . It f #t 'oo$ to ) 'i* n work on th $air(! to satisf( a )oss. T ss n * r %n$ rstoo$ that %r' ! )%t th n! T ss&s mast r was a #itt# mor $ man$in' than th Thron . It was rar to ha* a sto# n mom nt with T ss. 5 r *isits to th $air(Bto this "art of th wor#$! in ' n ra#Bn * r cam 8%ick#( or #ast $ #on' no%'h. Arrian $i$n&t #ik to ima'in th $arkn ss that await $ T ss as soon as th ( sai$ 'oo$)( ! or th mast r who hat $ to s T ss stra(in' from his r a#m. 4on&t think a)o%t him! Arrian chi$ $ h rs #f. Not wh n

T ss is )( (o%r si$ an$ th r is no n $ to 8% stion (o%r #o* F

Y s. T ss was )( h r si$ . An$ th 'rass ) n ath was so soft! th air of th farm so " rf%m $ with wi#$f#ow rs! that Arrian co%#$ ha* waft $ into th n%rt%rin' )osom of a r ass%rin' $r am. B%t th stor(. T ss #o* $ h r stori s. E?h r was IHG

Arrian ask $. EOhBI $on&t r m m) r.G T ss so%n$ $ $istract $. 5 r fin' rnai# scra" $ Arrian &s n ck as sh scoo" $ %" a s ction of hair. EO%ch.G Arrian r%)) $ h r n ck. T ss $i$n&t r m m) rH B%t Arrian was th on who 'ot #ost in h r tho%'hts! not T ss. EIs som thin' wron'! #o* HG ENo!G T ss sai$ 8%ick#(. EYo% w r startin' som stor(.L An +traor$inar( L %mBG EY sFG Arrian sai$ ha""i#(. EAn +traor$inar( an' #. 5 r nam was L Arrian .G T ss t%'' $ h r hair. EAnoth r on a)o%t (o%HG Sh was #a%'hin'! )%t h r #a%'ht r so%n$ $ $istant! as if sh ha$ a#r a$( f#own far awa(. EYo%&r in it! tooF 1%st wait.G Arrian ro## $ onto h r si$ to fac T ss. Th arm T ss ha$ ) n )rai$in' with s#i$ $own across Arrian &s hi". T ss wor a whit cotton 'own with a narrow )o$ic an$ short! r%ff# $ whit s# * s. Sh ha$ )%rsts of fr ck# s on h r sho%#$ rs! which Arrian tho%'ht #ook $ #ik 'a#a+i s of stars. 5 r ( s w r )ar #( $ark r than Arrian &s start#in' "a# )#% iris s. Sh was th most ) a%tif%# cr at%r Arrian ha$ * r m t. EAn$ what was so +traor$inar( a)o%t this an' #HG T ss ask $ aft r a mom nt! "ickin' %" h r c% . EOh! wh r to ) 'inH Th r w r so man( +traor$inar( thin's a)o%t h rFG Arrian f#ick $ h r h a$! m%sin' on an ins"ir $ $ir ction in which to tak h r ta# . Sh co%#$ f # th %n)o%n$ )rai$ scissorin' #oos on th si$ of h r h a$. EOh! Arrian FG T ss sai$. EYo%&* r%in $ itFG EI can&t h #" it if m( hair has oth r "#ansF An$ ma() (o%rs $o s! tooFG Arrian r ach $ for th ri))on ti $ aro%n$ T ss&s #on' r $ )rai$. B%t th 'ir# was too 8%ick. Sh scram)# $ )ackwar$ in th 'rass #ik a cra)! #a%'hin' as Arrian ros to h r f t

an$ chas $ aft r h r. EThis most +traor$inar( an' #!G sh ca## $ aft r T ss! who $ash $ thro%'h th hi'h 'rass an$ th )racin' F )r%ar( win$! Eha$ th most $is'%stin' n st of tan'# s in h r hair. Sh was famo%s for it! far an$ wi$ . Tan'# #ocks! som ca## $ h r.G Arrian hi'h7st "" $! h r han$s rais $! h r fin' rs wi''#in' to *ok h r hair. E0iti s *anish $ in h r mi'ht( man . ?ho# armi s w r sw "t %" in h r snar#sF 2rown m n w "t an$ w r #ost in th )#ack a)(ss of h r s r" ntin tr ss s.G Th n Arrian tri"" $ o* r th #on' h m of h r sha" # ss mi#kmai$&s 'own an$ w nt $own har$ onto th 'ro%n$. On a## fo%rs! sh #ook $ %" at T ss! who&$ sto"" $ ) tw n Arrian an$ th s%n! a ha#o of #i'ht circ#in' h r r $ hair. T ss # an $ $own to h #" Arrian %"! h r han$s soft aro%n$ Arrian &s wrists. EUnti# on $a(GBArrian w nt to r%) h r m%$$( "a#ms on th front of h r $r ssI T ss s#a"" $ th m awa( an$ "ro$%c $! from h r strin' $ "ock t! a cotton han$k rchi f. EOn $a(! this an' # m t som on who chan' $ h r #if .LG T ss #ift $ h r chin a )it. Sh was #ist nin'. EThis " rson was a #itt# $ *i#!G Arrian sai$. ESh was rath r s rio%s! a#wa(s thwartin' Tan' #ocks&s "ranks! a#wa(s mockin' h r in' n%it(! a#wa(s r min$in' Tan'# #ocks that som thin's w r mor im"ortant than "#ain o#$ hair.G Un +" ct $#(! T ss t%rn $ awa(. Sh sat $own in th 'rass with h r )ack to Arrian . P rha"s sh &$ fo%n$ h r charact r&s intro$%ction %nf#att rin'H B%t th r was mor to com F E* r( stor( r 8%ir $ a t%rnin' "oint! an # m nt of s%r"ris . Arrian s"raw# $ across T ss&s str tch $7o%t # 's an$ "ro"" $ h rs #f %" on on #)ow in th 'rass. ?ith h r oth r han$! sh r ach $ to %ncross th arms T ss ha$ fi+ $ firm#( o* r h r ch st. B%t * n with h r han$s c#as" $ in h r #o* r&s! T ss&s ( s wo%#$ not ) wr st $ from th "a# ( ##ow wi#$f#ow r in th 'rass.

EA)an$on this si##( stor(! Arrian .G Sh s"ok as if in a tranc . EI am not in th moo$ for it to$a(.G EOh! )%t waitF I&m A%st ' ttin' warm $ %"FG Arrian f%rrow $ h r )row. EIn so man( wa(s this s min' a$* rsar( was th $ir o""osit of Tan'# #ocks. 5 r hair was a r $ $an$ #ion "o%f.G Arrian strok $ T ss&s hair. E5 r skin was a "a# can*as that )%rn $ at th s#i'ht st to%ch of th s%n.G Sh ran h r fin' r $own T ss&s smooth! )ar arm. EArrian BG EB%t th cr at%r was a $ mon with a com)! an$ in h r han$s w r tam $ th $ str%cti* #ocks. This " rson&s nat%r ! %n#ik th an' #&s! wasBG EEno%'hFG T ss sna"" $! A rkin' h r 'aC awa( an$ towar$ a sha##ow! " ))# 7#in $ str am at th $' of th "ast%r . EI&m tir $ of fair( ta# s.G Sh stoo$ %" an$ Arrian scram)# $ to Aoin h r. EIt&s not a fair( ta# !G Arrian insist $! i'norin' th 'oos )%m"s sh f #t risin' on h r skin. Sh sat %" strai'ht an$ ti#t $ h r h a$ at T ss. ETh fact that w &r h r to' th r BG EIs on#( a si'n that h wasn&t "a(in' att ntion.G E?asn&tHG A co#$ win$ cr "t o* r th m a$ow. E5 has 'i* n m an %#timat%m.G Th )#oo$ $rain $ from Arrian &s ch ks! an$ with it w nt th )ri##iant co#ors in th m a$ow. Th )#% sk( $imm $! th 'rass #ost its * r* . E* n T ss&s hair s m $ "a# . Arrian ha$ known this mom nt was comin'Bha$ known it * r sinc th startB)%t sti## it took h r )r ath awa(. T ss )or th )#ack star)%rst tattoo on th )ack of h r n ck! th on L%cif r )ran$ $ on his inn rmost circ# of $ mons. E5 knows. An$ now h wants m )ack.G Th r was ic in T ss&s *oic ! ic that s m $ to cr " across Arrian &s so%#.

EB%t (o% A%st 'ot h r FG Arrian f #t #ik r%nnin' to h r #o* ! fa##in' at T ss&s f t an$ w "in'! )%t sh A%st star $ $own at h r han$s. EI $on&t want (o% to # a* . I hat it wh n (o% 'o awa(.G EArrian BG T ss took a st " towar$ h r! )%t Arrian f#inch $! nra' $. EIt&s not his )%sin ss to sa( what w can an$ can&t $oF ?hat kin$ of monst r )oasts so inc ssant#( a)o%t fr wi## an$ ( t won&t # t (o% ) fr to fo##ow (o%r own h artHG EI $on&t ha* a choic a)o%t this.G EY s! (o% $o!G Arrian sai$. EYo% A%st won&t mak it.G ?h n T ss $i$n&t answ r! Arrian &s ch st h a* $ with th initia# wa* of a ts%nami7siC $ so). Sh f #t so asham $. Sh t%rn $ an$ ran across th "ast%r . Sh ran a#on' th str am) $ an$ %" th soft s#o" of 'rass at th w st rn $' of th farm. Sh tram"# $ thro%'h h r mistr ss&s h r) 'ar$ n! %na)# to s th th(m thro%'h h r t ars. Sh co%#$ h ar T ss r%nnin' aft r h r! h r soft footst "s catchin' %". B%t Arrian $i$ not sto" %nti# sh &$ r ach $ th $oor of th o#$ )arn wh r tomorrow mornin' sh wo%#$ ris A%st ) for $awn to $o th mi#kin'. Sh thr w h rs #f a'ainst th ro%'h woo$ wa## of th )arn an$ # t th so)s com . T ss h%'' $ Arrian from ) hin$! h r r $ )rai$ swin'in' o* r Arrian &s sho%#$ r. Sh #ai$ h r h a$ ) tw n Arrian &s sho%#$ r )#a$ s an$ th ( stoo$ #ik that! )oth of th m cr(in'! for a 8%i t mom nt. ?h n Arrian t%rn $ aro%n$! # anin' h r )ack a'ainst th s%n7warm wa## of th )arn! T ss took h r han$. 5 r fin' rs w r #on' an$ "a# an$ s# n$ rI Arrian &s w r tin(! th nai#s ch w $ to th 8%ick. Arrian $r w T ss thro%'h th o" n r%st(7hin' $ $oor insi$ th )arn! wh r th ( wo%#$ ) saf from th ( s of th oth r mi#kmai$s! who wo%#$ ) 'ath rin' for s%"" r soon. Th ( stoo$ amon' ha( an$ hors s! a f w cows #(in' c%r# $ to' th r in a corn r. Th sc nts of th anima#s w r

* r(wh r 9 th hors s& m%sk! th chick ns& $own( sw tn ss! th $ri $ sw at of th cows& hi$ s. ETh r is a wa( for %s to ) to' th r!G T ss sai$ to Arrian in a #ow *oic . E5owH Yo% wo%#$ $ f( himHG ENo! Arrian .G Th $ mon shook h r h a$. EI took m( oath. I am )o%n$ to L%cif r.G ?h n T ss t%rn $ h r h a$ to 'aC o%t th )arn&s $oor an$ across th n$# ss m a$ow! Arrian '#im"s $ th $ark star)%rst tattoo that marr $ h r #o* #( skin. It was th so# )# mish that co%#$ a$h r to an' #s& )o$i s. E+c "t for th ir win' scars! * r( oth r ink mark or wo%n$ or scar in tim wo%#$ fa$ awa(. L%cif r&s mark was th on#( "art of T ss that Arrian co%#$ sa( sh $i$ not #o* . Sh r ach $ %" to to%ch h r own n ck! "a# an$ %n)# mish $. P%r . ETh r is anoth r wa(!G T ss sai$! "r ssin' c#os to Arrian so that th ir f t o* r#a"" $. T ss&s #o* sm ## $ #ik Aasmin ! an$ sh oft n sai$ that Arrian sm ## $ of sw t cr am. EA wa( to sto" #i*in' #ik this! with * r(thin' ) tw n %s a#wa(s a s cr t.G T ss +t n$ $ h r arms towar$ Arrian an$ r ach $ aro%n$ h r sho%#$ rs. Arrian tho%'ht for a mom nt that th ( w r 'oin' to m)rac a'ain. Sh f #t h r )o$( $rawin' in! n $in' to ) h #$B Inst a$! co#$ fin' rs craw# $ %" th )ack of h r n ck. EYo% co%#$ Aoin m .G Arrian #%rch $ awa(. 5 r skin craw# $. E1oin m as m( so%# mat ! Arrian . 1oin m an$ tak (o%r "#ac amon' th ranks of 5 ##.G

T?O

INFERNAL 4ESIRES

r Arrian

coi# $. ENo!G sh whis" r $! c rtain of its im"ossi)i#it(. EI co%#$ n * r.G T ss&s )#% ( s "# a$ $ with a fi rc int nsit(. E? can n$ o%r s cr t affair an$ "roc#aim it to th %ni* rs .G Th wa( h r *oic )oom $! choin' off th raft rs in th )arn! ma$ Arrian n r*o%s. E4on&t (o% want thatHG T ss cri $. E4on&t (o% want to ) to' th r! to sna" th ar)itrar( shack# s that "r * nt %s from ) in' o%r tr% s #* sHG Arrian shook h r h a$. This was %nfair. T ss was o%t of h r min$. Sh ha$ th most s%)#im #( ) a%tif%# so%# Arrian ha$ * r s n! )%t this tim ! sh ha$ 'on too far. If sh car $ for Arrian at a##! T ss wo%#$ a#r a$( know what h r #o* r&s answ r wo%#$ ) . B%t th nB Arrian wa* r $! a##owin' h rs #f for a mom nt to s th sit%ation from T ss&s "oint of *i w. Of co%rs Arrian want $ to #o* T ss o" n#(. Sh a#wa(s wo%#$. ?hat #s $i$ sh ha* to $o to "ro* itH NoF 5ow co%#$ T ss ask this of h rH To si$ with 5 ## o* r 5 a* nF That wasn&t #o* . That was insanit(. EMa() th r%# s ar ri'ht!G Arrian sai$ t ntati* #(. EMa() an' #s an$ $ mons sho%#$n&tBG E?hatHG T ss c%t h r off. ESa( it.G

EL%cif r wo%#$ n * r a##ow it!G Arrian fina##( sai$ *asi* #(! t%rnin' awa( from T ss to "ac th )arn. Sh "ass $ th hors s in th ir sta)# s. Th cows in th ir " n. E* r(thin' ha$ its "#ac . Sh #ook $ across th )arn at T ss an$ ha$ n * r f #t f%rth r awa( from th so%# sh #o* $ th most. EL%cif r mi'ht a##ow itBG T ss start $ to sa(. EYo% know how h f #s a)o%t #o* FG Arrian sna"" $. EE* r sinc LG B%t sh trai# $ off. That o#$ stor( $i$n&t matt r! not ri'ht now. EYo% $on&t %n$ rstan$.G T ss #a%'h $ a fa#s #a%'h! as if Arrian w r fai#in' to %n$ rstan$ som thin' as sim"# as an arithm tic "ro)# m. E5 sai$ that if I )ro%'ht (o% with m BG E?ho sai$HG Arrian &s h a$ sna"" $ %". EL%cif rHG T ss st "" $ awa(! as if afrai$! an$ for a mom nt! Arrian tho%'ht sh saw som thin' in th raft rs of th )arn. A ston stat% L a 'ar'o(# . 5 s m $ to ) watchin' th m. B%t wh n sh )#ink $ h was 'on . Sh fo%n$ T ss&s wi#$ ( s a'ain! an$ sh f #t ) tra( $.

EYo% to#$ himHG

Now Arrian march $ towar$ T ss! sto""in' A%st short of h r #o* r&s )r ast. It h a* $ with s%r"ris at ) in' confront $! )%t T ss $i$ not )ack awa(. E5ow $ar (o%!G Arrian s"at! s"innin' on h r h #. B for Arrian co%#$ r%n o%t of th )arn! T ss 'ra)) $ ho#$ of h r wrists. Arrian wr nch $ awa(! f #in' T ss&s fin' rs $ra' a'ainst h r skin. EL a* m ) FG Arrian sho%t $! not m anin' it! )%t T ss wasn&t #ist nin' an(wa(. Sh cam at Arrian a'ain! (ankin' on th s# * of h r 'own so har$ th fa)ric ri"" $. EY s! I to#$ himFG T ss ) ##ow $! sho%tin' ri'ht into Arrian &s fac . EUn#ik (o%! I $on&t car who knowsFG Arrian "%sh $ h r. Sh "%sh $ h r so har$! T ss f ## )ackwar$ into a tow r of stack $ mi#k "ai#s. Th ( to""# $

o* r! fa##in' on h r with a c#att r! s"#att rin' h r "a# skin with a f w whit $ro"s. T ss kick $ th "ai#s awa( an$ rock t $ to h r f t. An$ th nBArrian ha$ not ) n +" ctin' thisBh r win's )#oom $ o%t ) hin$ h r sho%#$ rs. Th ( n * r +"os $ th ir win's to ach oth rI it was som thin' th (&$ a'r $ on a' s a'o. It was too "#ain a r min$ r that th ir #o* was not m ant to ) . Now T ss&s )roa$ $ mon win's fi## $ th )arn with shimm r( #i'ht. Th ( w r th 'o#$ of th #ast mom nt of a s%ns t! ta## s#o" s that ros hi'h ) hin$ h r sho%#$ rs #ik twin mo%ntain " aks. Th ( ) at #i'ht#( at h r si$ s! f%##( +t n$ $! ri'i$! with th ti"s c%r# $ s#i'ht#( o%twar$ in Arrian &s $ir ction. Th rit%a# fi'htin' stanc . Th hors s whinni $ an$ th cows ) 'an to )# at as if th ( co%#$ s ns th t nsion! th )rink of som thin' )a$. ?hat ha"" n $ n +t! Arrian $i$ not int n$B)%t sh a#so co%#$ not h #" it9 5 r win's r s"on$ $ to th ca##. Th ( )#oom $ o%t from h r sho%#$ rs in a r%sh that f #t so innat #( 'oo$! sh # t o%t a h $# ss cr( of Ao(. B%t in th n +t mom nt sh chok $ with r 'r t to s th m )i##owin' o%t at h r si$ s. T ss ) at h r 'r at 'o#$ n win's! an$ h r )o$( ros . Sh ho* r $ in th air for a fraction of a s con$ ) for sh #%n' $ $own! tack#in' Arrian . Th two of th m ro## $ to th f#oor of th )arn. E?h( ar (o% $oin' thisHG Arrian cri $! 'ri""in' T ss&s sho%#$ rs! strainin' to ho#$ h r )ack as th ( wr st# $. T ss ha$ a fistf%# of Arrian &s #on' hair. Sh A rk $ it )ackwar$ to #ook Arrian in th ( . ETo show (o% I wo%#$ fi'ht for (o%. I wo%#$ $o an(thin' for (o%.G EL t m 'oFG Arrian $i$ not want to fi'ht h r #o* ! )%t h r win's f #t th o#$ ma'n tic "%## towar$ th t rna# fo . Arrian scr am $ o%t in "ain an$ s#a"" $ th fac sh &$ on#( * r want $ to $ot on.

EOnc (o% Aoin m !G T ss f%m $! "innin' Arrian &s han$s to th 'ro%n$! Eh wi## acc "t (o%. 5 wi## acc "t o%r #o* .G Arrian shook h r h a$! cow rin' ) n ath h r #o* r. Sh was afrai$ of what T ss wo%#$ $o n +t! )%t sh ha$ to t ## th tr%th. EIt&s a trick.G ESh%t %".G EA trick to ' t m $own th r . On mor so%# is a## h wants.G Arrian strain $ a'ainst h r #o* r&s 'ras"! a'ainst h r own # a$ n win's! which cast s"arks ach tim th ( )r%sh $ a'ainst T ss&s. EL%cif r is a m rchant!G sh sho%t $ o* r th $in of th ir )raw#! Esta(in' in th mark t aft r s%n$own A%st to mak on #ast sa# . As soon as I Aoin $ (o%BG T ss froC ! h r f#%sh $ fac an inch a)o* Arrian &s. Sh # t 'o of Arrian &s hair! %n# ash $ h r from wh r sh was "inn $ to th 'ro%n$. Sh c%"" $ a han$ to Arrian &s ch k. ESo (o%&## consi$ r itHG Th r was so m%ch h at in T ss&s )#% 'aC that Arrian &s h art m #t $. EI can r m m) r th first tim I sai$ 'oo$)( to (o%!G T ss whis" r $. EI was so afrai$ I&$ n * r s (o% a'ain.G Arrian shi* r $. EOh! T ssri #.G 5ow co%#$ sh r sist on fina# kissH Th fi'ht $isso#* $ as h r h a$ #ift $ towar$ T ss! whos who# fac chan' $. Lo* f#oo$ $ )ack in! fi##in' th s"ac ) tw n th ir )o$i s %nti# th r was no s"ac ) tw n th m. Th ( thr a$ $ th ir fin' rs thro%'h ach oth r&s hair! #im)s ntwin $! an$ h #$ ach oth r c#os . ?h n th ir #i"s m t! Arrian &s who# )o$( i'nit $ with fr%strat $ "assion. Sh $rank h r #o* in! n * r wantin' to )r ak from this m)rac ! knowin' that wh n it was o* r L Th ( wo%#$ ) o* r. 5 r ( s $rift $ o" n an$ sh 'aC $ %"on h r tr% #o* &s " ac f%# fac . Arrian co%#$ n * r r a##( think of T ss as a $ mon. N * r.

Sh wo%#$ r m m) r h r #ik this. ?itho%t h r r a#iCin' it! h r #i"s ha$ "%## $ awa( from T ss&s. 5 r h art was h a*(! c%m) rsom ! an$ sa$. Sh sat %" s#ow#(! th n ros to h r f t. EIBI cannot Aoin (o%.G T ss&s ( s narrow $ an$ h r *oic 'r w shockin'#( co#$! th wa( it $i$ wh n h r "ri$ was wo%n$ $. Sh $i$n&t ' t %" from th 'ro%n$. EYo%&r a fa## n an' #! Arrian . It is tim (o% r a#iC it an$ com $own from (o%r a#tar.G EI am not that kin$ of fa## n an' #.G I am not #ik (o%. EI f ## ) ca%s I ) #i * in #o* .G EThat&s a #i F Yo% f ## ) ca%s 4ani # $ra'' $ (o% an$ m an$ * r(on #s $own with him.G Arrian f#inch $. EAt # ast 4ani #&s )ran$ of #o* $o sn&t r 8%ir that on " rson ) tra( h r nat%r .G EAr (o% so s%r of thatHG Th 8% stion h%n' in th air. Arrian wa#k $ to th tro%'h a'ainst th far wa## an$ a$$ $ f $ an$ a )%ck t of w ## wat r to th hors s& )ins. Sh h ar$ T ss si'h. EI ) #i * in 4ani #&s ca%s !G Arrian sai$. EI ) #i * in L%cin$a.G E?ron' a'ain! (o% w r assi'n $ to th m. Yo% ha* to #ook aft r th m or thos i$iots from th Sca# wi## com for (o%.G EIt $o sn&t m an I $on&t ) #i * F I won&t 'i* %" on L%cin$a an$ 4ani #.G EInst a$ (o% wo%#$ 'i* %" on %sHG T ss was cr(in' nowI sh sat in th c nt r of th )arn an$ wi" $ h r t ars on h r m%$$( han$k rchi f. ETomorrow is @a# ntin &s 4a(! Arrian .G EI know. ? a'r $ to f#( to Saint @a# ntin &s Fair ! wh r L%cin$a an$ 4ani # an$ a## th oth rs wi## ) .G Arrian &s *oic wo))# $. E? w r 'oin' to ) m rr(.G EM rr(H Pr t n$in' I am not (o%r #o* an$ (o% ar not min H Pr t n$in' to s arch for what w a#r a$( shar HG

T ss scow# $. Arrian $i$n&t answ r. T ss was ri'ht. Th ir "r $icam nt was +cr%ciatin'. T ss stoo$ at #ast an$ $r w c#os to Arrian . Sh took th "ai# from h r han$s an$ s t it on th 'ro%n$. Sh c%"" $ a han$ to Arrian &s ch k. EL t L%c an$ 4ani # ha* th ir @a# ntin &s 4a(. L t %s ha* o%rs. 0 # )rat tr% #o* )( makin' a co* nant with m . 1oin m ! Arrian . ? co%#$ ) so ha""( to' th rBif w w r tr%#( to' th r.G Arrian swa##ow $ th f ar risin' in h r throat. EI #o* (o%! )%t I can&t t%rn m( )ack on m( "romis s.G Sh mo* $ from T ss&s 'ri". Arrian &s ( s rac $ to ca"t%r * r( $ tai# a)o%t T ss9 th s#ow swa( of h r r $ hair in th )r C ! h r "a# )ar f t in th ro%'h straw! h r han$ makin' th sha" of Arrian &s han$&s a)s nc ! t ars risin' in h r )ri'ht )#% ( s. E* n th s" ctac%#ar 'o#$ n '# am of h r win's. This wo%#$ ) th #ast tim th ( wo%#$ s ach oth r. This wo%#$ ) th ir #ast 'oo$)( .

T?O

T5E FIRST 0UT IS T5E 4EEPEST

* r. N * r. N * r. Arrian &s so%# was h a*( as sh f# w. Sh sho%#$ ha* known this was comin'F Sh ha$ known. Som thin' in h r so%# ha$ #on' f #t that a $a( #ik this a""roach $! wh n L%cif r wo%#$ ca## T ssri # )ack. B%t sh ha$ n * r +" ct $ T ss to ask h r to 'i* %" h r "#ac in 5 a* nBto tra$ it for th fir s of 5 ##F 5 r t m" r f#ar $ now an$ h r win's f# + $ an$ strain $ in r s"ons . Som tim s wh n Arrian sta( $ too #on' in morta# '%is ! sh for'ot how *ast h r win's w r ! how stron'! how $ " th "# as%r of # ttin' th m o%t from h r sho%#$ rs! th win' $ n r'( of $ #i'ht. Sh sho%#$ ha* ) n f #in' th +a#tation sh a#wa(s f #t wh n soarin' thro%'h th sk(! )%t now h r si#* r win's w r A%st sa$ r min$ rs of what sh was! an$ of what h r #o* was! an$ of how sh an$ T ss co%#$ n * r ) to' th r. N * r. I can r m m) r th first tim I sai$ 'oo$)( to (o%! T ss ha$ to#$ h r in th )arn. I was so afrai$ I&$ n * r s (o% a'ain. Arrian r m m) r $ it! too9 tho%san$s of ( ars a'o. Sh

an$ Anna) ## an$ 2a)) ha$ ) n ho* rin' in a $ark rain c#o%$ on th o%tskirts of a "#ac ca## $ 0anaan! watchin' a morta# c # )ration # $ )( a man nam $ A)raham! wh n th an' # a"" ar $ o%t of nowh r an$ ho* r $ ) for th m in th sk(. E?ho ar (o%HG 2a)) was hosti# ! a$$r ssin' th an' # with th )ri'ht7r $ hair an$ cr(sta#7)#% ( s. To Arrian ! th %nknown an' #&s win's w r #o* #(! an$ h r )o$( #ook $ as soft as a c%m%#%s c#o%$. Li'htnin' f#ash $ across h r ra$iant whit skin. Arrian r m m) r $ wantin' to r ach o%t an$ to%ch h r! as if to mak c rtain th an' # was r a#. EI am T ssri #! (o%r form r sist r in 5 a* n.G Th %nfami#iar an' # ha$ )ow $ h r h a$ in $ f r nc . EAn' # of th th%n$ r that ro##s across E%rasia.G T ssri # was #ookin' at Arrian ! an$ som thin' in a $istant m a$ow of Arrian &s so%# r ca## $ this an' #. 5 r sist r. Y s. Th ( ha$n&t known ach oth r w ## in 5 a* nB th r ha$ ) n a # a'% of oth r an' #s ) tw n th m! )%t th r ha$ a#wa(s ) n a conn ction. That in +"#ica)# m(st r( ca## $ attraction. EI )rin' n ws of (o%r )roth r Ro#an$!G T ssri # sai$ to Arrian ! who ha$ 'as" $ at th so%n$ of his nam . ERo#an$ r si$ s in L%cif r&s $omain!G 2a)) sai$ shar"#(. EYo% )rin' %s n ws from 5 ##HG EI )rin' (o% n wsBG T ssri #&s *oic wa* r $ an$ Arrian &s h art w nt o%t to h r. Sh ha$n&t s n Ro#an$ sinc th Fa## an$ sh miss $ him $ s" rat #(. This an' # ha$ com with a m ssa' . Arrian scram)# $ forwar$! "r ssin' %" a'ainst 2a)) ! who h #$ h r )ack with th whit $' of h r win'. E2o now! # a* %s ) !G 2a)) comman$ $. It was fina#. T ssri # shook h r h a$ sa$#( as sh t%rn $ to 'o. Sh #ook $ )ack onc at Arrian ! )ri f#( an$ with 'r at sorrow. E2oo$)( .G E2oo$)( FG

B%t it wasn&t 'oo$)( . Y ars #at r! on h r own! wa#kin' th shoa#s of a morta# ri* r! sh cam %"on th r $7hair $ an' # a'ain. ET ssri #HG T ssri # #ook $ %" from th ri* r! wh r sh was )athin'. Sh was nak $! h r "%r 7whit win's skimmin' th s%rfac of th wat r! an$ h r #on' r $ hair trai#in' s#ick#( $own h r )ack. EIs it (o%HG T ssri # whis" r $. EI tho%'ht I&$ n * r s (o% a'ain.G ?h n th an' # ros from th ri* r! th si'ht of h r morta# '%is was too m%ch for Arrian ! who #ook $ awa(! thri## $ an$ m)arrass $. Sh h ar$ th ri""# of win's # a*in' wat r! f #t a )r%sh of warm win$! an$ th n! a s con$ #at r! th sw t st #i"s "r ss $ $own on h rs. ? t arms an$ w t win's n'%#f $ h r. E?hat was thatHG Arrian )#ink $ in astonishm nt as T ssri # "%## $ awa(. 5 r #i"s tin'# $ with %n +" ct $ $ sir . EA kiss. I "romis $ m(s #f that if I $i$ s (o% a'ain! that&s what I wo%#$ $o.G EAn$ if I # ft ri'ht now an$ th n cam )ack!G Arrian won$ r $ a#o%$! Ewo%#$ (o% kiss m #ik that a'ainHG T ssri # no$$ $! a *ast smi# on h r fac . E2oo$)( !G Arrian whis" r $! c#osin' h r ( s. ?h n sh o" n $ th m! sh sai$! E5 ##o.G An$ T ssri # kiss $ h r a'ain. An$ a'ain. On a $ark fAor$ north of Norwa( L on a shi" s ttin' sai# for th In$i s L on a $%st( $ s rt "#at a% in P rsia L or in a rainstorm insi$ a rain for stBwh n th wor#$ was %ncom"#icat $ an$ (o%n' an$ n ith r fa## n an' # ha$ ( t t%rn $ in th $ir ction ach wo%#$ %#timat #( t%rn in! Arrian an$ T ssri # w r a#wa(s sa(in' 'oo$)( to sa( h ##o a'ain! a#wa(s mo*in' in or o%t of a kiss.

Now! f #in' as far as sh * r ha$ from th #i"s of th $ mon sh &$ #o* $! Arrian "ass $ a "air of h rons in th sk(. Th ( w r "air $! )%t sh ha$ to ) a#on . B ca%s of o#$ a## 'ianc s n ith r wo%#$ ) tra(. It $ro* h r ma$ with fr%stration. Sh n $ $ to ) som "#ac #on som an$ r mot ! wh r h r h art co%#$ ach in " ac . T ars )#%rr $ h r *ision as sh c#im) $ o* r th #ow7 #(in' m a$ows of th *a## ( ) #ow. Sh $i$n&t want to # a* T ssI sh co%#$n&t # a* 8%ick#( no%'h. Soon! sh ha$ sca" $ th $air( in its #itt# * r$ant *a# ! which sh ha$ 'rown to #o* . Lo* . ?hat was it! an(wa(H 4ani # an$ L%cin$a s m $ to know. Th r ha$ ) n mom nts wh n Arrian tho%'ht sh $anc $ towar$ #o* &s awar n ss9 t n$ r! f# tin' mom nts #ock $ in a kiss with T ss! wh n )oth so%#s #ost th ms #* s com"# t #(. If on#( th ( co%#$ ha* sta( $ #ik that for * r! #(in' to th ms #* s in an +t n$ $ stat of )#iss. Ma() #o* was #(in' to (o%rs #f. No. Th wor#$ )or $own on th m! an$ in th )roa$! c# ar #i'ht of $a(! Arrian kn w that what sh f #t for T ss )oth was an$ was not #o* . It was * r(thin'Ban$ it was im"ossi)# . It was wh( th ( ha$ a#r a$( ) n thro%'h this kin$ of 'oo$)( ! th %'#( kin$! onc ) for . It was a f w h%n$r $ ( ars aft r th Fa##. Arrian ha$ fina##( ma$ h r choic . Sh ha$ ) n )ack to th "#ains of 5 a* n an$! aft r som tim ! ha$ ma$ h r " ac with th Thron . 5 r win's shon a t rrific iri$ sc nt si#* rBth mark that sh was acc "t $ onc a'ainBan$ Arrian was a' r to show th m off to h r #o* . Sh fo%n$ T ssri # %n$ r th AmaConian wat rfa## wh r th ( ha$ a'r $ to m t. ELook what I&* $on BG

E?hat ha* (o% $on HG

1%st as Arrian &s win's )or a )ran$7n w si#* r shin ! T ssri #&s win's w r taint $Ba '#orio%s! 'a%$( 'o#$. EYo% n * r to#$ m (o% w r consi$ rin' LG Arrian &s *oic trai# $ off. EYo% n * r to#$ m ! ith r.G T ss&s ( s w ## $ %" with t ars! )%t as soon as sh wi" $ th m awa(! sh #ook $ an'r(. EB%t wh(H ?h( wo%#$ (o% si$ with himHG EIsn&t (o%r choic as ar)itrar( as min H Yo%r mast r is on#( th a%thorit( ) ca%s (o% sa( h is.G EAt # ast h is 'oo$! %n#ik (o%r mast rFG E2oo$. E*i#. Th (&r A%st wor$s! Arrian . ?ho can tr%st th m! an(wa(HG E5owBhow can I #o* (o% nowHG Arrian whis" r $. EIt&s sim"# !G T ss sai$ with a sa$ shak of h r h a$. EYo% can&t.G

It was Ro#an$ who )ro%'ht th m )ack to' th r. Now Arrian a#most wish $ h ha$n&t. B%t at th tim ! sh ha$ n $ $ T ss mor than sh * r wo%#$ ha* a$mitt $. Ro#an$ arran' $ for a sto# n mom nt ) tw n th two in 1 r%sa# m! aft r what was s%""os $ to ) 0am&s marria' to Li#ith. That marria' ha$n&t ha"" n $. B%t Arrian an$ T ssri # ha$. As soon as th ( saw ach oth r! th ir ar'%m nt $isso#* $ into anoth r %nsto""a)# kiss. E? m%st ) fr to ach ) o%rs #* s in$ " n$ nt#(!G T ssri # ha$ to#$ h r! E)%t w sha## n * r ) as stron' an$ so#i$ as w ar wh n w &r to' th r.G EB car f%#!G Ro#an$ was a#wa(s sa(in' wh n sh wo%#$ sn ak off to ) with T ss. An$ Arrian was. N * r onc $i$ th ( ' t ca%'ht. N * r onc $i$ th an' #s s%s" ct

Arrian &s s cr t romanc with on of L%cif r&s c#os st $ mons. Sh ha$ ) n car f%# a)o%t so m%chB +c "t th $ stin( of h r h art. Sh sim"#( ha$ n * r +" ct $ T ssri # to mak h r choos . B%t now it ha$ com to that! an$ th r was on#( on choic . This 'oo$)( ha$ to ) for * r.

Arrian co%#$n&t )r ath . T ars str am $ $own h r ch ks now as sh 'as" $ an$ )#in$#( f# w on! not knowin' wh r sh &$ 'o. ?o%#$ sh * r s h r #o* a'ainH A shar" "ain s m $ to "i rc h r h art! an a'on( ri$$# $ its wa( into th fiss%r s of h r )on s. ?hat was ha"" nin'H Th n a $ark "r monition sa"" $ at h r so%#! an$ Arrian cri $ o%t in f ar. Sh c#%tch $ h r h art! )%t this wasn&t m r h artach . Som thin' was wron'. T ss. In th mi$$# of h r f#i'ht across th mo%ntains of north rn Ita#(! Arrian swoo" $ aro%n$ to r * rs $ir ctions in th sk(. 5 r win's sh%$$ r $ an$ h r h art sta## $ an$ th on#( thin' sh kn w was that sh ha$ to ' t )ack to th $air( farm. It was a #o* r&s int%ition! a s#ow conscio%sn ss s"r a$in' thro%'h h r )rain.L Unti# sh was a)so#%t #( c rtain L Som thin' ha$ ha"" n $B Som thin' %ns" aka)# .

T5REE

LO@E TAKES ?IN2

Th

)arn was m"t(. Th s%n ha$ s t. Th on#( #i'ht ) si$ s a co#$ s#i* r of T%scan moon shinin' thro%'h th o" n $oor cam from Arrian &s win's. Th ( cast a soft! o"a# sc nt '#ow on th anima#s! which w r not s# "in'9 Th hors s whinni $ an$ th chick ns c#%ck $ r st# ss#( in th ir " nsI th cows #a( in th m%sk( ha(! th ir %$$ rs swo## n with mi#k. Th ( s ns $ som thin'! too. Arrian 'r w franticBwh r was T ssH Sh "ac $ th )arn! s archin' for c#% s! fin$in' on#( th *i$ nc of th ir fi'ht. Th to""# $ mi#k "ai#s. Th sc%ff $ "atch of m%$$( ha( wh r th ( ha$ t%ss# $. If sh c#os $ h r ( s! sh co%#$ sti## s T ss th wa( sh want $ to! smi#in'! th )ri'ht f#%sh in h r ch ks. Arrian &s )r ath ma$ c#o%$s ) for h r fac . Sh watch $ th m *anish into th frost( air. Sh want $ to scr am! to sto" * r( $isa"" arin' thin'. Th "r monition was so stron' that Arrian wr%n' h r han$s! r tracin' h r st "s aro%n$ th sta)# s ) for sh &$ storm $ off into th sk(! r m m) rin' th an'r( wor$s th ( ha$ s"at at ach oth r! r 'r ttin' * r(thin' sh &$ * r sai$ or $on to T ss that $i$ not com from a "#ac of %tt r #o* .

Th r . Sh froC as h r win' ti" $ra'' $ across a mo%n$ of $am" ha(. ?hat was thatH Arrian $ro"" $ to h r kn s. 5 r win's '#ow $ whit ! i##%minatin' th t rrifi $ anima#s! which w r )ack $ into th corn rs of th ir sta##s. Th r was )#oo$ on th ha(Ba shin(! r $ "oo#. ET ssri #FG Arrian soar $ %"war$! scannin' th 'ro%n$ ma$#( for anoth r trac of h r #o* &s )#oo$. Sh f# w in a "anick $ circ# ! sco%rin' * r( inch of th )arn! $artin' #ik a sk(#ark this wa( an$ that! fin$in' nothin'. Unti# sh # t h r win's carr( h r o%tsi$ ! to th far si$ of th )arn. Th r ! A%st ) (on$ th o" n $oorwa(! sh s"i $ a sma## w ## of )#oo$ s "in' into th 'rass. Sh mo* $ c#os r! ho* rin' o* r it. Sh want $ to to%ch it! )%tB No. Sh sto"" $ h rs #f. Str tchin' awa( from th "oo# of )#oo$! $ark7r $ ) a$ $ $ro"s form $ a strin' s * ra# inch s #on'! # a$in' in th $ir ction of th North Star. T ss was on th mo* . B%t what ha$ ha"" n $ to h rH Arrian f# w #ow to th 'ro%n$! s kin' sma## si'ns. At *ario%s "oints sh wo%#$ s s"ots of )#oo$ on )#a$ s of ta## 'rass! )%t th n sh wo%#$ #os th trai# a'ain. At on "oint! ha*in' cross $ a cr k ) $! th trai# $isa"" ar $ com"# t #(! an$ Arrian wai# $! f #in' a## was #ost. B%t th n! n ar a w "in' wi##ow tr ! sh "ick $ %" h r #o* r&s "ath a'ain. B#oo$ str am $ for tw nt( (ar$sBth trai# wi$ n $ an$ ha$ s"#ash $ far! as if a fr sh wo%n$ ha$ ) n inf#ict $. ?as an n m( h%ntin' T ss! wo%n$in' h r as sh f# $H Arrian s" $ %"! $ s" rat to com ) tw n T ss an$ what * r *i# wo%#$ $ar harm h r. On#( on ) in' co%#$ ha* h%nt $ $own a f%##(

m"ow r $ $ mon. In h r $ark st ima'inin's! Arrian co%#$ s L%cif r! th #a( rs of cataracts on his ( s! his tr m n$o%s win's s"raw#in' with rank )#ack hairs. B%t wo%#$ L%cif r ha* com h r ! to wr st# T ss )ack to 5 ##H Arrian ha$ n * r s n h r #o* fac to fac with h r mast r! tho%'h *isions of it ha%nt $ h r. If sh $isco* r $ L%cif r in th act of harmin' T ss! Arrian $i$n&t know what sh wo%#$ $o. Sh co%#$ )ar #( f#( thro%'h th ra' that was )%i#$in' insi$ . Lo* #ik this was fata#! * n for an an' #. ET ssri #FG sh ) ##ow $ a'ain into th n$# ss fi #$s of 'r n. B%t sh h ar$ nothin'. In th w st! storm c#o%$s form $ a $irt( scr n across th sk(. Arrian ho" $ that T ss ha$n&t tra* # $ in that $ir ction. E* r(thin' a)o%t th rainBits sc nt! its ff ct on th t rrain! its "%rif(in' 8%a#it(Bwo%#$ throw Arrian off th trai#. B%t ma() T ss was co%ntin' on that * r( thin'. So th h art of th t m" st was wh r sh wo%#$ 'o. Arrian f#att n $ h r win's. Sh foc%s $ on "ickin' %" * #ocit(. T%r)%# nc shook h r. 5 r )o$( rock $ from # ft to ri'ht! %" an$ $own! %nti# sh was soak $ an$ shi* rin' an$ s"ittin' rain. That was wh n sh saw T ss! #(in' on h r )ack at th $' of a ston( "romontor( in th foothi##s of th 4o#omit s! not far from wh r Arrian ha$ first s ns $ that som thin' was t rri)#( wron'. T ss #ook $ #ik sh was $(in'B)%t an' #s $i$ not $i . 5 r win's f#ai# $ o%t %nnat%ra##( on ith r si$ of h r. B#oo$ str am $ from th m! "oo#in' on a f#at rock ) n ath h r. Sh was a#on . Sh was a#on . Arrian was a h%n$r $ f t a)o* h r in th air! )%t th $%## si#* r '# am in T ss&s han$ was %nmistaka)# . B%t wh( wo%#$ T ss "oss ss a starshotH Arrian $i"" $ $own so 8%ick#( th win$ roar $ in h r

ars. Sh #an$ $ on a #i'ht7'ra( )o%#$ r a f w f t in front of T ss. 5 r win's cast a circ# of #i'ht in front of h r! nfo#$in' T ss&s )o$( in a coo# ha#o of i##%mination. It was as( to s now9 Th starshot ha$ #ac rat $ th $ mon&s # ft win'. It wasn&t com"# t #( s * r $! )%t th form r#( "ow rf%# co"" r win' now h%n' )( th thinn st stran$ of m"(r a# fi) rs. Ra' f#ash $ thro%'h Arrian Bsh wo%#$ m%r$ r who * r ha$ $on this. Th n sh #ook $ at T ss&s ash n fac ! ( s )ar #( o" n! 'aCin' %" at h r. An$ sh %n$ rstoo$. Th r was no on #s to )#am . This harsh st of a## wo%n$s was s #f7inf#ict $. On#( ho%rs ar#i r! Arrian ha$ ) n thinkin' a)o%t th "%rit( of an an' #&s skin! how nothin' * r # ft a mark. B%t it wasn&t a)so#%t #( tr% Bsom thin's # ft " rman nt scars. L%cif r co%#$ $o it with th ink of his tattoos. A starshot wo%n$ co%#$ $o itBif it $i$ not ki## th an' #. Th min'#in' ofB ET ssri #! noFG Th $ mon h #$ th starshot in h r ri'ht han$ an$ $r w it n ar th wo%n$ a'ain! as if int nt on am"%tatin' th 'i#$ $ win' from h r )o$(. B%t h r fin' rs tr m)# $ so )a$#( that th starshot s#ic $ into oth r s ctions of th win'! s" win' )#oo$ from its m%sc# 7thick c nt r. On#( th n $i$ sh s m to r 'ist r Arrian &s "r s nc . EYo%&* com )ack.G 5 r *oic was as thin as th mo%ntain air. EOh! T ssri #.G Arrian &s han$s co* r $ h r h art. ETh ( wi## n * r h a# from this.G EThat is th i$ a. I n $ $ som thin' to r m m) r (o% )(.G E4on&t sa( that.G Arrian $ro"" $ to h r kn s! craw#in' to wh r T ss #a( %"on th 'ro%n$. E?hat w r (o% * n $oin' with a starshotH Bart rin' with ACaC #H That isn&t $on FG

EIt is $on wh n th n $ is 'r at no%'h. If I cannot ha* (o%! I $o not want an(thin' at a##.G T ss 'rimac $ as sh thr%st th starshot in a $ownwar$ s#icin' motion across h r m%ti#at $ win'. It ma$ a so%n$ #ik f# sh ) in' ri"" $ a"art! )%t it $i$ not s * r th win' com"# t #(. EIt is har$ r than (o% think.G ESto" itFG Arrian ( ## $! shootin' o%t h r han$ to 'ra) th starshot from T ss. In a f#ash! T ss t%rn $ th starshot on h r. ESta( )ack!G sh sai$ w ak#(. EYo% know what wi## ha"" n if (o% to%ch m .G Arrian st%$i $ th fa## n an' # sh #o* $! co* r $ in th )#oo$ thatBif sh to%ch $ itBwo%#$ work #ik "oison a'ainst h r. B%t * n knowin' that $i$n&t sto" Arrian . Sh n $ $ T ss to know that sh was not a#on ! that sh was #o* $. Th m mor( of T ss #a%'hin' cho $ in h r ars an$ warm $ h r insi$ sI th ima' of T ss! $ ar! sw t! ) a%tif%# T ss! "#a( $ across Arrian &s ( s as sh $i$ th %nthinka)# 9 Sh #%n' $ towar$ T ssri #! throwin' h rs #f on to" of th $ mon! 'ra))in' for th starshot! cr(in' o%t in an'%ish as T ssri #&s )#oo$ s ar $ h r. It was th sin'%#ar "ain of $ mon )#oo$ on an' # f# sh! #ik a tho%san$ $%## swor$s $ri*in' into h r so%#. B#oo$ on )#oo$ was * n wors . Arrian 'ritt $ h r t th! n ar#( 'oin' ma$ with th "ain as sh wr st $ th starshot from T ss&s han$. EL t m 'oFG T ss&s fin' rnai#s tor at Arrian &s throat %nti# th ( )rok th skin an$ Arrian &s own )#oo$ ) 'an to f#ow. An anima#istic how# # ft Arrian &s #i"s. 5 r )#oo$ act%a##( )oi# $ as it m t T ssri #&s! t%rnin' to aci$ on h r )o$( an$ sin' in' off h r skin. ?h r * r th ir )#oo$ commin'# $! )%))# s ros %" on th # ft si$ of h r )o$(! %'#( scars knottin' %" h r # ' an$ torso an$ n ck. Sti## Arrian $i$ not # t 'o.

ENow s what (o%&* $on .G T ss&s #i"s w r )#% from #osin' so m%ch )#oo$. Sa$istic #a%'ht r "%nct%at $ h r an'%ish. EE* n m( )#oo$ is anath ma to (o%rs! an$ (o%rs to min . 1%st #ik GBh r h r *oic fa#t r $ an$ h r ( s ) 'an to $riftBEA%st #ik th ( a#wa(s sai$.G ESta( sti##FG Arrian tri $ to foc%s ) (on$ th aci$ic )%rnin'I th on#( thin' that matt r $ was stanchin' th f#ow of T ss&s )#oo$. Sh w i'h $ th two #im" win's in h r han$s! not knowin' what to $o. EYo%&r makin' it wors FG T ss shri k $. ESto"F Yo%&* #ost too m%ch )#oo$ a#r a$(.G T ss was con*%#sin'! )%t sh st a$i $ on han$ on th rock an$ rais $ h r h a$ A%st no%'h to star $ " into Arrian &s ( s. EYo% ha* )rok n m( h art! Arrian . Yo% cannot ) th on who h a#s m .G Arrian &s #i" 8%i* r $. EI can. I wi##.G Sh tor at th skirt of h r $air(mai$&s 'own! %sin' h r t th to ri" th f#ims( fa)ric into shr $s. It wi## n * r work! sh tho%'ht as sh wo* an$ str tch $ th fa)ric into a c#%ms( s#in'! $ra"in' it car f%##( aro%n$ T ss&s '%shin' # ft win'. Sh 8%ick#( wo* anoth r s#in'! workin' %nti# h r fin' rs w r n%m) with co#$ an$ f ar. T ss&s )o$( contin% $ to s iC ! )%t h r ( s w r c#os $! an$ sh $i$ not r s"on$ to Arrian &s a$monitions to wak %". Th s s#in's wo%#$ not $o. T ss&s wo%n$s n $ $ c # stia# int r* ntion. That wo%#$ r 8%ir 2a)) &s h #"! an$ 2a)) wo%#$ ) f%rio%sB)%t sh was 2a)) ! so sh wo%#$ h #" an(wa(. T ss&s win's wo%#$ n * r ) th sam ! )%t ma() som $a( sh co%#$ f#(. It was on#( aft r Arrian ha$ )an$a' $ T ss&s win's as ) st sh co%#$ mana' that sh #ook $ $own at h r own )o$(. It was a mis ra)# ta)# a%. 5 r n ck )#aC $ with "ain. 5 r $r ss ha$ fa## n to "i c s a#on' th # ft si$ . 5 r skin was mott# $ with swir#in' )#oo$ an$ si#* r "%s an$ f#akin' an' # tiss% . Sh ha$ nothin' to

$r ss h r wo%n$s. Sh ha$ %s $ a## of th c#oth for T ss. Sh f ## across th $ mon&s #a" an$ so)) $. Sh n $ $ h #" )%t co%#$ not carr( T ss in h r )%rn $ an$ )att r $ stat . ?hat 'oo$ wo%#$ it $o! an(wa(H Ma() T ss was ri'ht9 ?h n on #o* r s%ff r $ from a )rok n h art! no matt r how )a$#( th oth r want $ to h #"! sh co%#$n&t ) th on to h a# it. As far as "ossi)# ! Arrian r a#iC $! ach so%# ha$ to ) cont nt a#on ) for "#%n'in' into #o* ! ) ca%s on n * r kn w wh n th oth r wo%#$ mo* o%t of that #o* . It was th 'r at st "ara$o+9 So%#s n $ ach oth r! )%t th ( a#so n $ to not n $ ach oth r. EI ha* to 'o!G sh whis" r $ to T ss! whos )r ath was sha##ow! #a)or $. EI wi## s n$ h #" for (o%. Som on wi## com to tak car of (o%. EI #o* (o% an$ wi## n * r #o* anoth r. Th ) st wa( I can honor that is to 'o now an$ fi'ht for th kin$ of #o* w shar $! th kin$ of #o* I ) #i * in. I ho" som $a( (o% fin$ what (o% ar #ookin' for.G A t ar s#i$ $own Arrian &s ch k. E5a""( @a# ntin &s 4a(! m( on an$ on#(.G A shootin' star $anc $ in a )ri'ht arc across th sk(. NorthBA%st th $ir ction Arrian wo%#$ n $ to f#( to fin$ 4ani # an$ L%cin$a. 5 r n ck thro)) $ wh n sh ros from th rock! )%t $ s"it h r inA%ri s! h r win's f #t "ow rf%# an$ "ristin . Sh s"r a$ th m wi$ an$ f# w awa(.

EN4LESS LO@E

T5E @ALENTINE OF 4ANIEL AN4 LU0IN4A

ONE

LO@E LON2 A2O

L%c

fo%n$ h rs #f at th far n$ of a narrow a## ( %n$ r a s#it of s%n7)# ach $ sk(. EBi##HG sh whis" r $. No r "#(. Sh &$ com o%t of th Anno%nc r 'ro''( an$ $isori nt $. ?h r was sh nowH Th r was a )%st#in' )ri'htn ss at th oth r n$ of th a## (! som sort of )%s( mark t wh r L%c ca%'ht f#ash s of fr%it an$ fow# chan'in' han$s. A )itin' wint r win$ ha$ froC n th "%$$# s in th a## ( into s#%sh! )%t L%c was sw atin' in th )#ack )a## 'own sh wor L wh r ha$ sh first "%t on this tatt r $ 'ownH Th kin'&s )a## at @ rsai## s. Sh &$ fo%n$ this $r ss in som "rinc ss&s armoir . An$ th n sh &$ k "t it on wh n sh st "" $ thro%'h to th " rformanc of 5 nr( @III in Lon$on. Sh sniff $ at h r sho%#$ r9 It sti## sm ## $ #ik smok from th fir that ha$ )%rn $ $own th 2#o) . From a)o* h r cam a s t of #o%$ )an's9 sh%tt rs ) in' thrown wi$ . Two wom n "ok $ th ir h a$s o%t of a$Aac nt s con$7stor( cas m nt win$ows. Start# $! L%c "r ss $ h rs #f a'ainst a sha$ow $ wa## to #ist n! watchin' as th wom n f%ss $ a)o%t with a shar $ c#oth s#in . E?i## (o% # t La%ra watch th f sti*iti sHG sai$ on ! a

matron#( woman in a sim"# 'ra( cow# as sh "inn $ an normo%s "air of $am" tro%s rs to th #in . EI s no harm in watchin'!G sai$ th oth r! a (o%n' r woman. Sh shook o%t a $r( #in n shirt an$ fo#$ $ it with swift ffici nc(. ESo #on' as sh $o sn&t "artak of thos )aw$( $is"#a(s. 0%"i$&s UrnF 5ahF La%ra&s on#( s n tw #* ( arsI sh &s far too (o%n' to f tch a )rok n h artFG EAh! Sa##(GBth oth r woman si'h $ thro%'h a thin smi# BE(o%&r too strict. Saint @a# ntin &s is a $a( for a## h arts! (o%n' an$ o#$. It mi'ht $o (o% an$ th mist r a )it of 'oo$ to ) sw "t %" in its romanc (o%rs #* s! hHG A #on " $$# r! a short man $r ss $ in a )#% t%nic an$ )#% ti'hts! t%rn $ $own th a## (! "%shin' a woo$ n cart. Th wom n ( $ him with s%s"icion an$ #ow r $ th ir *oic s. EP ars!G h san' %" to th o" n cas m nts! from which th wom n&s h a$s an$ han$s ha$ $isa"" ar $. ERot%n$ fr%it of #o* F A " ar for (o%r @a# ntin wi## mak this n +t ( ar a sw t on .G L%c $' $ a#on' th wa## towar$ th a## (&s +it. ?h r was Bi##H Sh ha$n&t r a#iC $ A%st how m%ch sh &$ com to r #( on th #itt# 'ar'o(# . Sh n $ $ $iff r nt c#oth s. An i$ a of wh r an$ wh n sh was. An$ a )ri fin' on what sh was $oin' h r . M $i *a# cit( of som sort. A @a# ntin &s 4a( f sti*a#. ?ho kn w it was s%ch an o#$ tra$itionH EBi##FG sh whis" r $. B%t th r was sti## no answ r. Sh r ach $ th corn r an$ $' $ h r h a$ aro%n$. Th si'ht of a soarin' cast# ma$ h r ha#t. It was massi* an$ maA stic. I*or( tow rs ros into th )#% sk(. 2o#$ n )ann rs! ach m)#aCon $ with a #ion! )i##ow $ ' nt#( from hi'h "o# s. Sh ha#f +" ct $ to h ar a )#ar of tr%m" ts. It was #ik st%m)#in' acci$ nta##( %"on a fair( ta# . Instincti* #(! L%c wish $ 4ani # w r th r . This was th kin$ of ) a%t( that $i$n&t s m r a# %nti# (o% shar $ it with som on (o% #o* $.

B%t th r was no si'n of 4ani #. 1%st a 'ir#. A 'ir# L%c r co'niC $ instant#(. On of h r "ast s #* s. L%c watch $ as th 'ir# stro## $ across th co))# 7 ston $ )ri$' that # $ to th ta## $oors of th cast# . Sh mo* $ "ast th m! to th ntranc of a fantastic ros 'ar$ n! wh r th )#ossom# ss )%sh s w r sc%#"t $ into ta##! wa##7#ik h $' s. 5 r hair was #oos an$ #on' an$ m ss(! trai#in' ha#fwa( $own th )ack of h r whit #in n 'own. Th o#$ L%c BL%cin$aB'aC $ #on'in'#( at th 'ar$ n 'at . Th n L%cin$a stoo$ on ti"to ! r ach $ a "a# han$ o* r th 'at ! an$ from th mi$$# of a )ar 7)ranch $ )%sh! ) nt th st m of a sin'# %n#ik #( r $ ros towar$ h r nos . ?as it "ossi)# to sm ## a ros sa$#(H L%c co%#$n&t sa(I a## sh kn w was that som thin' a)o%t this 'ir#Bh rs #fB f #t sa$. B%t wh(H 4i$ it ha* som thin' to $o with 4ani #H L%c was a)o%t to st " f%##( from th sha$ow $ a## ( wh n sh h ar$ a *oic an$ saw a fi'%r a""roach h r "ast s #f. ETh r (o% ar .G L%cin$a r # as $ th ros ! which sna"" $ )ack into th 'ar$ n! #osin' its )#ossom on th thorns as it cross $. Th r $ t ar$ro"7sha" $ " ta#s show r $ $own on h r sho%#$ rs as sh t%rn $ to fac th *oic . L%c watch $ L%cin$a&s "ost%r chan' ! a smi# str tchin' across h r fac at th si'ht of 4ani #. An$ L%c f #t that sam smi# on h r own fac . Th ir )o$i s mi'ht ) $iff r nt! th ir $ai#( #i* s #ook $ nothin' a#ik ! )%t wh n it cam to 4ani #! th ir shar $ so%# a#i'n $ com"# t #(. 5 wor a f%## s%it of armor! tho%'h his h #m t was off an$ his 'o#$ n hair was #ank with sw at an$ $irt. 5 &$ c# ar#( com from th roa$I th s" ck# $ whit mar ) si$ him #ook $ w ar(. L%c ha$ to fi'ht * r( %r' in h r )o$( not to r%n into his arms. 5 was )r athtakin'9 a kni'ht in shinin' armor to o%tshin an( fair(7ta# kni'ht.

B%t this 4ani # wasn&t h r 4ani #. This 4ani # ) #on' $ to anoth r 'ir#. EYo% cam )ackFG L%cin$a )rok into a r%n! h r tr ss s str amin' in th win$. 5 r "ast s #f&s arms str tch $ o%t! inch s from 4ani #B B%t th ima' of h r *a#iant kni'ht wa* r $ in th win$. An$ th n it was 'on . 4is'%st cr "t into L%c &s stomach as sh watch $ 4ani #&s hors an$ armor *anish into thin air an$ L%cin$aBwho co%#$ not sto" h rs #f in tim Bcrash h a$first into a ) #chin' ston 'ar'o(# . EF%m)# FG Bi## cack# $! s"innin' in a #oo"7th 7#oo". L%cin$a scr am $! tri"" $ o* r h r 'own! an$ #an$ $ in th m%$ on h r han$s an$ kn s. Bi##&s cra''( #a%'ht r cho $ off th fa3a$ of th cast# . 5 f#itt $ hi'h r in th air an$ th n ( $ L%c '#arin' at him from across th str t. ETh r (o% ar FG h sai$! cartwh #in' towar$ h r. EI to#$ (o% n * r to $o that a'ainFG EM( acro)aticsHG Bi## ho"" $ onto h r sho%#$ r. EB%t if I $o not "ractic ! I win no m $a#s!G h sai$ in a R%ssian acc nt. Sh swatt $ him off. EI m ant chan'in' into 4ani #.G EI $i$n&t $o it to (o%! I $i$ it to h r. Ma() (o%r "ast s #f thinks it&s f%nn(.G ESh $o sn&t.G EThat&s not m( fa%#t. B si$ s! I&m not a min$ r a$ r. Yo% +" ct m to r a#iC (o%&r s" akin' on ) ha#f of a## L%cin$as * r! * r( tim (o% ta#k. Yo% n * r sai$ an(thin' a)o%t not raCCin' (o%r "ast #i* s. It&s a## in 'oo$ f%n. For m ! an(wa(.G EIt&s cr% #.G EIf (o% insist on s"#ittin' hairs! fin ! sh &s a## (o%rs. I s%""os (o% $on&t n $ m "ointin' o%t that what (o% $o with & m ain&t +act#( h%man FG EYo%&r th on who ta%'ht m how to 'o thr 74.G EM( "oint +act#(!G h sai$ with an ri cack# that s nt

'oos )%m"s r%nnin' %" L%c &s arms. Bi##&s ( s f ## on a $imin%ti* ston 'ar'o(# ca""in' on of th co#%mns of th 'ar$ n 'at s. 5 )ank $ in th air! circ# $ )ack to th co#%mn! an$ s#%n' his arm aro%n$ th 'ar'o(# &s sho%#$ r as if h &$ fina##( fo%n$ a tr% com"anion. EMorta#sF 0an&t #i* with & m! can&t consi'n th m to th fi r( $ "ths of 5 ##. Am I ri'ht or am I ri'htHG 5 #ook $ )ack at L%c . ENot a )i' ta#k r.G L%c co%#$ no #on' r stan$ it. Sh ran forwar$! h%rr(in' to h #" L%cin$a %" from th 'ro%n$. 5 r "ast s #f&s $r ss was torn at th kn s an$ h r fac was sick#( "a# . EAr (o% a## ri'htHG L%c ask $. Sh +" ct $ th 'ir# to ) thankf%#! )%t inst a$! sh r coi# $. E?hoB?hat ar (o%HG L%cin$a 'a" $ at L%c . EAn$ what kin$ of $ *i# is that thin'HG Sh f#%n' h r han$ in Bi##&s $ir ction. L%c si'h $. E5 &s A%stB4on&t worr( a)o%t him.G Bi## "ro)a)#( $i$ #ook #ik a $ *i# to this m $i *a# incarnation. L%c most #ik #( $i$n&t #ook m%ch ) tt rB som m nta# 'ir# r%nnin' %" to h r $r ss $ in a f%t%ristic )a## 'own that r k $ of smok H EI&m sorr(!G L%c sai$! '#ancin' o* r th 'ir#&s sho%#$ r at Bi##! who s m $ am%s $. EThinkin' a)o%t 'oin' thr 74HG Bi## ask $. L%c crack $ h r kn%ck# s. Fin . Sh kn w sh ha$ to c# a* to this "ast )o$( if sh was 'oin' to mo* forwar$ on h r 8% st! )%t th r was som thin' in h r "ast s #f&s fac B) wi#$ rm nt an$ a hint of in +"#ica)# ) tra(a#B that ma$ h r h sitat . EThis! %h! this wi## A%st tak a mom nt.G 5 r "ast s #f&s ( s wi$ n $! )%t as sh was a)o%t to "%## awa(! L%c s iC $ h r "ast s #f&s han$ an$ s8% C $. Th so#i$ ston s ) n ath h r f t shift $ an$ th wor#$ ) for L%c swir# $ #ik a ka# i$osco" . 5 r stomach #%rch $ %" towar$ h r throat! an$ as th wor#$ f#att n $ )ack o%t! sh was # ft with th $istincti* na%s a of

c# a*in'. Sh )#ink $ an$! for that on %ns tt#in' instant! saw th $is m)o$i $ *i w of )oth 'ir#s. Th r was m $i *a# L%cin$aBinnoc nt! ca"ti* ! an$ t rrifi $I an$ th r ! ) si$ h r! was L%c B'%i#t(! +ha%st $! o)s ss $. Th r was no tim to r 'r t it. On th oth r si$ of th )#inkB A sin'# )o$(! on conf#ict $ so%#. An$ Bi##&s fat7#i"" $ smirk takin' it a## in. L%c c#%tch $ h r h art thro%'h th ro%'h #in n $r ss L%cin$a ha$ ) n w arin'. It h%rt. 5 r who# )o$( ha$ ) com a h artach . Sh was chann #in' L%cin$a now! f #in' what L%cin$a ha$ ) n f #in' ) for L%c inha)it $ h r )o$(. It was a mo* that ha$ ) com s con$ nat%r to h rBfrom R%ssia to Tahiti to Ti) tB)%t no matt r how man( tim s sh $i$ it! L%c $i$n&t think sh &$ * r ' t %s $ to s%$$ n#( f #in' so k n#( th #an$sca" of h r "ast motions. Ri'ht now it was th kin$ of raw "ain L%c ha$n&t +" ri nc $ sinc h r ar#( $a(s at Swor$ O 0ross! wh n sh #o* $ 4ani # so m%ch sh tho%'ht it mi'ht s"#it h r in two. EYo%&r #ookin' a #itt# 'r n aro%n$ th 'i##s.G Bi## f#oat $ ) for h r fac ! so%n$in' mor satisfi $ than conc rn $. EIt&s m( "ast. Sh &sBG EPanick $H Sick at h art with #o* for that worth# ss oaf of a kni'htH Y ah! th 4ani # of this ra A rk $ (o% aro%n$ #ik a s#ot7machin "%## on S niors& 4a( at th casino.G 5 cross $ his arms )roo$in'#( o* r his ch st an$ $i$ som thin' L%c ha$ n * r s n ) for 9 5 ma$ his ( s f#ash *io# t. EMa() I&## ) at th @a# ntin &s Fair !G h sai$ in a h%sk(! aff ct $ ton ! a 'ross#( o* rsim"#ifi $ im" rsonation of 4ani #. EOr ma() I ha* ) tt r thin's to $o! #ik s#ash #os rs with m( h%m%n'o%s swor$BG E4on&t $o that! Bi##.G L%c shook h r h a$! anno( $. EB si$ s! if 4ani # $o sn&t show at this @a# ntin &s thin'! h &s 'ot a 'oo$ r asonBI&m s%r of it.G

EY ah.G Th croak r t%rn $ to Bi##&s *oic . EYo% a#wa(s ar .G E5 &s tr(in' to "rot ct m !G sh ar'% $! )%t h r *oic was w ak. EOr hims #f LG L%c ro## $ h r ( s. EOka(! Bi##! what is it I&m s%""os $ to # arn in this #if tim H That (o% think 4ani #&s a A rkH 2ot it. 0an w mo* onHG ENot +act#(.G Bi## f# w to th 'ro%n$ an$ sat ) si$ h r. EAct%a##(! w &r takin' a ho#i$a( from (o%r $%cation in this #if !G h sai$. EBas $ on (o%r sni""in ss an$ th )a's %n$ r m( ( sGB h str tch $ o%t an$ $is"#a( $ a wrink#( fo#$ of sa''( skin! which ma$ a so%n$ #ik a shak n )a' of mar)# sBEI&$ sa( w )oth n $ a $a( off. ESo h r &s th $ a#9 It&s @a# ntin &s 4a(Bor an ar#( form of it! an(wa(. 4ani # is a kni'ht! which m ans h &s 'ot his "ick of th "arti s. 5 can 'rac th n$# ss ch%rch7 sanction $ no)# man&s f ast in th cast# of his #or$.G Bi## A rk $ his h a$ towar$ th tow rin' whit t%rr ts ) hin$ th m. ES%r ! th r &## ) a nic roast sta'! ma() * n a s"rink# of sa#t! )%t (o%&* 'ot to han' with th c# r'(! an$ whos i$ a of a "art( is thatHG L%c '#anc $ )ack at th fair(7ta# cast# . That was wh r 4ani # #i* $H ?as h insi$ thos wa##s nowH EOr!G Bi## contin% $! Eh can s#%m it at th r a# "art( o%t on th 'r n toni'ht for that # ss7r s" cta)# sort of fo#k! wh r th a# f#ows #ik win an$ th win f#ows #ik a# . Th r &## ) $ancin'! $inin'! an$ most im"ortant#(! w nchin'.G E? nchin'HG Bi## wa* $ on tin( han$ in th air. ENothin' (o% ha* to worr( a)o%t! $ar#in&. 4ani # on#( has ( s for on w nch in a## of cr ation. I m an (o%.G E? nch!G L%c sai$! #ookin' $own at h r ro%'h7s"%n cotton 'arm nts.

ETh r &s a c rtain #ost w nchGBBi## #)ow $ L%c BEwho wi## ) th r at th Fair ! scannin' th crow$ thro%'h th ( ho# s of h r "aint $ mask for h r h%nk( $r am)oat.G 5 "att $ h r ch k. E4o sn&t that so%n$ #ik a 'r at tim ! #itt# sist rHG EI&m not h r to ha* f%n! Bi##.G ETr( it o%t for on ni'htBwho knows! (o% mi'ht nAo( it. Most " o"# $o.G L%c swa##ow $. EB%t what wi## ha"" n wh n h fin$s m H ?hat am I s%""os $ to # arn ) for I )%rn %"! ) for BG E?hoa th r FG Bi## cri $. ES#ow $own! hoth a$. I to#$ (o% Btoni'ht&s A%st a)o%t f%n. A #itt# )it of romanc . A ni'ht offGBh wink $BEfor )oth of %s.G E?hat a)o%t th c%rs H 5ow can I $ro" * r(thin' an$ c # )rat @a# ntin &s 4a(HG Bi## $i$n&t r s"on$ imm $iat #(. Inst a$! h "a%s $ tho%'htf%##(! th n sai$! E?hat if I to#$ (o% that thisBtoni'htB is th on#( @a# ntin &s 4a( (o% ki$s * r 'ot to s" n$ to' th rHG Th wor$s str%ck L%c imm $iat #(. EE* rH ? L n * r 'ot to c # )rat @a# ntin &s 4a(HG Bi## shook his h a$. EAft r to$a(H No.G L%c tho%'ht )ack to h r $a(s at 4o* r! how sh an$ 0a##i wo%#$ watch som of th oth r 'ir#s ' t choco#at h arts an$ ros s on @a# ntin &s 4a(. Th (&$ ma$ a tra$ition of #am ntin' how * r(! * r( sin'# th ( w r o* r straw) rr( mi#k shak s at th #oca# $in r. Th (&$ s" nt ho%rs conA ct%rin' on th s#im o$$s of * r ha*in' a $at on @a# ntin &s 4a(. Sh #a%'h $. Sh ha$n&t ) n far off9 L%c ha$ n * r ha$ a @a# ntin &s 4a( with 4ani #. Now Bi## was t ##in' h r that sh on#( * r ha$ toni'ht. L%c &s 8% st thro%'h th Anno%nc rs! a## h r fforts to )r ak th c%rs an$ $isco* r what #a( ) hin$ a## of h r r incarnations! fin$in' an n$ to this n$# ss c(c# B( s!

thos w r im"ortant. Of co%rs th ( w r . B%t wo%#$ th wor#$ n$ if sh nAo( $ this on tim with 4ani #H Sh cock $ h r h a$ at Bi##. E?h( ar (o% $oin' this for m HG sh ask $. Bi## shr%'' $. EI ha* a h art! a soft s"ot forBG E?hatH @a# ntin &s 4a(H ?h( $on&t I )%( thatHG EE* n I onc #o* $ an$ #ost.G An$ for th )ri f st of mom nts! it s m $ th 'ar'o(# #ook $ wistf%# an$ sa$. 5 star $ ri'ht at h r an$ sniff# $. L%c 'a* a #a%'h. EOka(!G sh sai$. EI&## sta(. 1%st for toni'ht.G E2oo$.G Bi## "o"" $ %" an$ "oint $ a crook $ c#aw $own th a## (. ENow 'o! mak m rr(.G 5 s8%int $. EAct%a##(! chan' (o%r $r ss. Th n mak m rr(.G

T?O

A SOUL AT O44S

5o%rs #at

r! L%c # an $ h r #)ows on th si## of th sma## ston cas m nt win$ow. Th *i##a' #ook $ $iff r nt from this s con$7stor( " rch Ba maC of int rconn ct $ ston )%i#$in's! thatch $ roofs an'# $ h r an$ th r in som thin' #ik a m $i *a# a"artm nt com"# +. B( #at that aft rnoon! man( of th win$ows! inc#%$in' th on L%c # an $ o%t of! w r $ra" $ with $ "7'r n *in s of i*( or $ ns )o%'hs of ho##( that ha$ ) n wo* n into wr aths. Th ( w r si'ns of th Fair takin' "#ac o%tsi$ th cit( that * nin'. @a# ntin &s 4a(! L%c tho%'ht. Sh co%#$ f # L%cin$a $r a$in' it. Aft r Bi## ha$ $isa"" ar $ o%tsi$ th cast# ! for his m(st rio%s Eni'ht off!G thin's ha$ ha"" n $ * r( 8%ick#(9 Sh &$ wan$ r $ a#on thro%'h th cit( %nti# a 'ir# a f w ( ars o#$ r than h r a"" ar $ from nowh r to whisk L%c %" a f#i'ht of $ank stairs into this sma## two7room $ ho%s . E4raw awa( from th win$ow! sist r!G a hi'h *oic ca## $ across th room. EYo%&r # ttin' in Saint @a# ntin &s $raftFG Th 'ir# was 5 # n! L%cin$a&s o#$ r sist r! an$ th smok(! confinin' two7room $ ho%s was wh r sh an$ h r fami#( #i* $. Th cham) r&s 'ra( wa##s w r )ar ! an$ th on#( f%rnit%r consist $ of a woo$ n ) nch! a tr st#

ta)# ! an$ th stack of fami#( s# "in' "a## ts. Th f#oor was str wn with ro%'h straw an$ s"rink# $ with #a* n$ rBa m a' r att m"t to c# ar th air of th fo%# sm ## from th ta##ow can$# s th ( ha$ to %s for #i'ht. EIn a mom nt!G L%c ca## $ )ack. Th tin( win$ow was th on#( "#ac sh $i$n&t f # c#a%stro"ho)ic. 4own th a## ( to th ri'ht was th mark t"#ac sh &$ '#im"s $ ) for ! an$ if sh # an $ o%t far no%'h! sh co%#$ s a s#i* r of th whit ston cast# . It ha%nt $ L%cin$a! that tini st t as of a *i wBL%c s ns $ this thro%'h th so%# th ( shar $B) ca%s on th * nin' of th $a( L%cin$a first m t 4ani # in th ros 'ar$ n! sh &$ com hom an$ coinci$ nta##( s n him " rin' " nsi* #( o%t of th ta## st tow r cas m nt. Sinc th n! sh watch $ for him * r( chanc sh 'ot! )%t h n * r a"" ar $ a'ain. Anoth r *oic whis" r $9 E?hat $o s sh star at for so #on'H ?hat co%#$ "ossi)#( ) so int r stin'HG ETh 'oo$ Lor$ on#( knows!G 5 # n r "#i $! si'hin'. EM( sist r is #a$ n with $r ams.G L%c t%rn $ aro%n$ s#ow#(. 5 r )o$( ha$ n * r f #t so stran' . Th "art that ) #on' $ to m $i *a# L%cin$a was wi#t $ an$ # thar'ic! f#att n $ )( th #o* sh was c rtain sh ha$ #ost. Th "art that ) #on' $ to L%cin$a Pric was ho#$in' fast to th i$ a that th r mi'ht sti## ) a chanc . It was a str%''# to " rform th sim"# st of tasksB#ik con* rsin' with th thr 'ir#s stan$in' ) for h r! a#arm $ +"r ssions twistin' th ir "r tt( fac s. Th ta## st on ! in th mi$$# ! was 5 # n! L%cin$a&s on#( sist r an$ th o#$ st of fi* chi#$r n in th ir fami#(. Sh was n w#( a wif ! an$ as if to "ro* it! h r thick )#on$ hair was $i*i$ $ into two )rai$s an$ "inn $ in a matron#( chi'non. At 5 # n&s si$ was La%ra! th ir (o%n' n i'h)or! who L%c r a#iC $ was th 'ir# sh &$ o* rh ar$ th two wom n 'ossi"in' a)o%t o* r th c#oth s#in . Tho%'h La%ra was on#( tw #* ! sh was a##%rin'#( ) a%tif%#B)#on$ with #ar'

)#% ( s an$ a #o%$! sa%c( #a%'h that co%#$ ) h ar$ across th cit(. L%c )it )ack a #a%'h! tr(in' to r conci# La%ra&s moth r&s "rot cti* n ss with what L%cin$a kn w of th 'ir#&s own +" ri nc B"r ssin' "a#ms with th "a' )o(s in th coo# r c ss s of th #or$&s woo$. ?hat L%c '# an $ from L%cin$a&s m mori s of La%ra r min$ $ h r of Arrian . La%ra! #ik th an' #! was as( to #o* . Th n th r was E# anor! L%cin$a&s o#$ st! c#os st fri n$. Th (&$ 'rown %" w arin' on anoth r&s c#oth s! #ik sist rs. Th ( )ick r $ #ik sist rs! too. E# anor ha$ a )#%nt $' ! oft n s#icin' $r am( L%cin$a&s r * ri s in two with a c%ttin' r mark. B%t sh ha$ a ski## for )rin'in' L%cin$a )ack to r a#it(! an$ sh #o* $ L%cin$a $ "#(. It wasn&t! L%c r a#iC $! so $iff r nt from h r "r s nt7$a( r #ationshi" with Sh #)(. E? ##HG E# anor ask $. E? ##! whatHG L%cin$a sai$! start# $. E4on&t a## star at m at onc FG E? &* on#( ask $ (o% thr tim s which mask (o%&r 'oin' to w ar toni'ht.G E# anor wa* $ thr )ri'ht#( co#or $ masks in L%cin$a&s fac . EPra(! n$ th s%s" ns FG Th ( w r sim"# # ath r $omino masks! ma$ to co* r A%st th ( s an$ nos an$ ti aro%n$ th )ack of th h a$ with thin si#k ri))on. A## thr w r co* r $ in th sam coars fa)ric! )%t ach ha$ ) n "aint $ with a $iff r nt $ si'n9 on r $ with sma## )#ack "ansi s! on 'r n with $ #icat whit )#ossoms! an$ on i*or( with "a# "ink ros s n ar th ( s. ESh star s as if sh has not s n th s sam masks * r( on of h r "ast fi* ( ars of mas8% ra$in'FG E# anor m%rm%r $ to 5 # n. ESh has th 'ift of s in' o#$ thin's an w!G 5 # n sai$. L%c shi* r $! tho%'h th room was warm r than it ha$ ) n for most of th wint r months. In +chan' for th ''s th citiC ns ha$ off r $ as 'ifts to th #or$! h &$

r "ai$ ach ho%s ho#$ with a sma## )%n$# of c $ar fir woo$. So th h arth was )ri'ht an$ ch r(! 'i*in' a h a#th( f#%sh to th 'ir#s& ch ks. 4ani # ha$ ) n th kni'ht task $ with co## ctin' th ''s an$ $istri)%tin' th fir woo$. 5 &$ stri$$ n thro%'h th $oor with "%r"os ! th n sta'' r $ )ack wh n h saw L%cin$a insi$ . It was th #ast tim m $i *a# L%cin$a ha$ s n him! an$ aft r months of sto# n mom nts to' th r in th for st! L%c &s "ast s #f was c rtain sh wo%#$ n * r s 4ani # a'ain. B%t wh(H L%c won$ r $ now. L%c f #t L%cin$a&s sham at h r fami#(&s m a' r accommo$ationsB)%t that $i$n&t s m ri'ht. 4ani # wo%#$n&t car that L%cin$a was a " asant&s $a%'ht r. 5 kn w that sh was a#wa(s an$ * r m%ch mor than that. Th r ha$ to ) som thin' #s . Som thin' L%cin$a was too sa$ to s c# ar#(. B%t L%c co%#$ h #" h rBfin$ 4ani #! win him )ack! at # ast for as #on' as sh sti## ha$ to #i* . EI #ik th i*or( on for (o%! L%cin$a!G La%ra "rom"t $! tr(in' to ) h #"f%#. B%t L%c co%#$ not mak h rs #f car a)o%t th masks. EOh! an( of th m wi## ) fin . P rha"s th i*or( to match m( 'own.G Sh t%'' $ $%##( at th $ra" $ fa)ric of h r worn woo# $r ss. Th 'ir#s r%"t $ into #a%'ht r. EYo%&r not 'oin' to w ar that common mark t 'ownHG La%ra 'as" $. EB%t w &r a## ' ttin' $on %" in o%r fin stFG Sh co##a"s $ $ramatica##( across th woo$ n ) nch n ar th h arth. EOh! I wo%#$ n * r want to fa## in #o* w arin' m( $r ar( T% s$a( kirt# FG A m mor( "%sh $ to th front of L%c &s min$9 L%cin$a ha$ $is'%is $ h rs #f as a #a$( in h r on fin 'own an$ sn ak $ into th cast# ros 'ar$ n. That was wh r sh first m t 4ani # in this #if . That was wh( th ir romanc f #t #ik a ) tra(a# from th ) 'innin'. 4ani # ha$ tho%'ht

L%cin$a som thin' oth r than a " asant&s $a%'ht r. That was wh( th tho%'ht of $onnin' that fin r $ 'own a'ain an$ "r t n$in' to mak m rr( at a f sti*a# was a sta'' rin' "ros" ct to L%cin$a. B%t L%c kn w 4ani # ) tt r than L%cin$a $i$. If h ha$ an o""ort%nit( to s" n$ @a# ntin &s 4a( with h r! h wo%#$ s iC it. Of co%rs ! sh co%#$ +"#ain non of this inn r t%rmoi# to th 'ir#s. A## sh co%#$ $o was t%rn awa( an$ s%)t#( wi" h r t ars with th )ack of h r wrist. ESh #ooks as if #o* has a#r a$( fo%n$ an$ $ a#t ro%'h#( with h r!G 5 # n m%rm%r $ %n$ r h r )r ath. EI sa(! if #o* is ro%'h with (o%! ) ro%'h with #o* FG E# anor sai$ in h r )oss( wa(. EStam" o%t sa$n ss with $ancin' s#i"" rsFG EOh! E# anor!G L%c h ar$ h rs #f sa(. EYo% wo%#$n&t %n$ rstan$.G EAn$ (o% $o %n$ rstan$HG E# anor #a%'h $. EYo%! th 'ir# who wo%#$n&t * n "%t h r nam in 0%"i$&s UrnHG EOh! L%cin$aFG La%ra c%"" $ h r han$s o* r h r mo%th. E?h( notH I&$ 'i* an(thin' if Moth r wo%#$ # t m "%t m( nam in 0%"i$&s UrnFG E?hich is wh( I ha$ to toss h r nam into th %rn for h rFG E# anor cri $! s iCin' th train of L%c &s 'own an$ "%##in' h r aro%n$ th room in a circ# . Aft r a chas that to""# $ th ) nch an$ th ta##ow can$# on th cas m nt # $' ! L%c 'ra)) $ E# anor&s han$. EYo% $i$n&tFG EOh! a #itt# f%n wi## $o (o% 'oo$F I want (o% $ancin' toni'ht! hi'h an$ #i* #( with th r st of th mask rs. 0om now! h #" m choos a *isor. ?hich co#or mak s m( nos #ook sma## r! ros or 'r nH P rha"s I sha## trick a man into #o*in' m ( tFG L%c &s ch ks w r )%rnin'. 0%"i$&s UrnF 5ow $i$ that ha* an(thin' to $o with a @a# ntin &s 4a( with 4ani #H B for sh co%#$ s" ak! o%t cam L%cin$a&s "art( $r ss

Ba f#oor7# n'th 'own of r $ woo# a$orn $ with a narrow co##ar ma$ of ott r f%r. It was c%t #ow r across th ch st than an(thin' L%c wo%#$ w ar )ack hom in 2 or'iaI if Bi## w r h r to s h r! h wo%#$ "ro)a)#( 'r%nt a E5%))a h%))aG in h r ar. L%c sat sti## whi# 5 # n&s fin' rs wo* a st m of ho##( ) rri s into h r #oos )#ack hair. Sh was thinkin' of 4ani #! th wa( his ( s ha$ #it %" in th ros 'ar$ n wh n h first a""roach $ L%cin$a.L A ra""in' start# $ th m a##I in th $oorwa(! a woman&s fac a"" ar $. L%c r co'niC $ h r instant#( as L%cin$a&s moth r. ?itho%t thinkin'! sh ran into th saf warmth of h r moth r&s arms. Th ( c#os $ aro%n$ h r sho%#$ rs! ti'ht an$ aff ctionat . It was th first of th #i* s L%c ha$ *isit $ wh r sh f #t a stron' conn ction with h r moth r. It ma$ h r f # )#issf%# an$ hom sick a## at onc . Back hom in Th%n$ r)o#t! 2 or'ia! L%c tri $ to act mat%r an$ s #f7s%ffici nt as oft n as sh co%#$. L%cin$a was A%st th sam ! L%c r a#iC $. B%t at tim s #ik thisB wh n h art)r ak ma$ th who# wor#$ ch r# ssBnothin' wo%#$ $o )%t th comfort of a moth r&s m)rac . EM( $a%'ht rs! so fin an$ 'rown %"! (o% mak m f # o#$ r than I amFG Th ir moth r #a%'h $ as sh ran h r fin' rs thro%'h L%c &s hair. Sh ha$ kin$ haC # ( s an$ a soft! +"r ssi* )row. EOh! Moth r!G L%c sai$ with h r ch k a'ainst h r moth r&s sho%#$ r. Sh was thinkin' of 4or n Pric an$ tr(in' not to cr(. EMoth r! t ## %s a'ain how (o% m t Fath r at th @a# ntin &s Fair !G 5 # n sai$. ENot that o#$ ta# a'ainFG Th ir moth r 'roan $! )%t th 'ir#s co%#$ s th stor( formin' in h r ( s a#r a$(. EY sF Y sFG th 'ir#s a## chant $. E?h(! I was (o%n' r than L%cin$a wh n I was a moth r

ma$ !G h r wi##ow( *oic ) 'an. EM( own moth r )a$ m w ar th mask sh &$ worn ( ars ) for . Sh 'a* m this a$*ic on m( wa( o%t th $oor9 MSmi# ! chi#$! m n #ik a ha""( mai$. S k ha""( ni'hts to ha""( $a(s L& G As h r moth r $o* into h r ta# of #o* ! L%c fo%n$ h r ( s cr "in' )ack towar$ th cas m nt! ima'inin' th t%rr ts of th cast# ! th *ision of 4ani # #ookin' o%t. Lookin' for h rH Aft r h r stor( was $on ! h r moth r $r w som thin' from th "ock t str%n' aro%n$ h r waist an$ han$ $ it to L%c with a mischi *o%s wink. EFor (o%!G sh whis" r $. It was a sma## c#oth "acka' ti $ with twin . L%c w nt to th win$ow an$ car f%##( %nwra"" $ it. 5 r fin' rs tr m)# $ as sh #oos n $ th twin . Insi$ was a #ac( h art7sha" $ $oi#( a)o%t th siC of h r fist. Som on ha$ inscri) $ th s wor$s with what #ook $ to L%c #ik a )#% Bic " n9

Ros s ar r $! @io# ts ar )#% ! S%'ar is sw t! An$ so ar (o%. I wi## #ook for (o% toni'htB Lo* ! 4ani #

L%c a#most s"%tt r $ with #a%'ht r. This was som thin' th 4ani # sh kn w wo%#$ n * r writ . 0# ar#(! som on #s ha$ ) n ) hin$ it. Bi##H B%t to th "art of L%c that was L%cin$a! th wor$s w r a chaos of scri))# s. Sh co%#$n&t r a$! L%c r a#iC $. An$ ( t! onc th m anin' of th "o m was "roc ss $ )( L%c ! sh co%#$ f # an %n$ rstan$in' )r ak o" n in L%cin$a. 5 r "ast s #f fo%n$ this th fr sh st! most ca"ti*atin' "o tr( * r known.

Sh wo%#$ 'o to th f sti*a# an$ sh wo%#$ fin$ 4ani #. Sh wo%#$ show L%cin$a how "ow rf%# th ir #o* co%#$ ) . Toni'ht th r wo%#$ ) $ancin'. Toni'ht th r wo%#$ ) ma'ic in th air. An$B * n if it was th on#( tim it * r ha"" n $ in th #on' histor( of 4ani # an$ L%cin$aB toni'ht th r wo%#$ ) th "artic%#ar Ao( of s" n$in' @a# ntin &s 4a( with th on sh #o* $.

T5REE

4ELI25T IN 4ISOR4ER

EE#

anorFG L%c sho%t $ o* r a $ ns crow$ of $anc rs as h r fri n$ )o%nc $ "ast in th s"irit $ #in of a Ai'. B%t E# anor $i$n&t h ar h r. It was har$ to sa( wh th r L%c &s *oic was $rown $ o%t )( th $ #i'ht $ hoots of a crow$ at a "%"" t show in on of th mo*a)# sta' s s t %" on th w st rn $' of th $ancin' ar a for th ra%co%s! h%n'r( crow$ #inin' %" at th #on' foo$ ta)# s on th ast rn si$ of th 'r n. Or ma() it was A%st th s a of $anc rs in th mi$$# ! who )o%n$ $! twir# $! an$ s"%n with r ck# ss! romantic a)an$on. It s m $ as tho%'h th $anc rs at th @a# ntin &s Fair w r not A%st $ancin'B)%t a#so ho## rin'! #a%'hin'! ) #tin' o%t * rs s to th tro%)a$o%r&s m%sic! an$ ho## rin' to fri n$s across th m%$$( $anc ar a. Th ( w r $oin' it a## at onc . An$ a## at th to" of th ir #%n's. E# anor was o%t of arshot! s"innin' as sh stam" $ o%t $anc st "s a## th wa( across th oak7rin' $ 'r n. L%c ha$ no choic )%t to t%rn )ack to h r c#%ms( "artn r an$ c%rts(. 5 was a s"in$#( o#$ r man with sa##ow ch ks an$ i##7 fittin' #i"s whos s#o%ch $ sho%#$ rs ma$ him #ook #ik h want $ to hi$ ) hin$ his too7sma## #(n+7fac mask. An$ ( t L%cin$a $i$n&t car . Sh co%#$n&t r m m) r * r ha*in' ha$ this m%ch f%n $ancin'. Th (&$ ) n $ancin'

sinc th s%n kiss $ th horiConI now th stars shon #ik armor in th sk(. Th r w r a#wa(s so man( stars in "ast ski s. Th ni'ht was chi##(! )%t L%c &s fac was f#%sh $ an$ h r for h a$ was $am" with " rs"iration. As th son' n ar $ its n$! sh thank $ h r "artn r an$ si$# $ ) tw n a #in of $anc rs! a' r to ' t awa(. B ca%s $ s"it th Ao(s of $ancin' %n$ r th stars! L%c ha$n&t for'ott n a)o%t th r a# r ason sh was h r . Sh #ook $ o%t across th 'r n an$ worri $ that * n if 4ani # was som wh r o%t th r ! sh mi'ht n * r fin$ him. Fo%r tro%)a$o%rs $r ss $ in mot# ( 'ath r $ on a wo))#( $ais at th north rn $' of th 'r n! "#%ckin' on #%t s an$ #(r s to "#a( a son' as sw t as a B at# s )a##a$. At a hi'h schoo# $anc ! th s s#ow son's w r th on s that ma$ th sin'# 'ir#s! inc#%$in' L%c ! a #itt# an+io%sB)%t h r ! th mo* s w r )%i#t into th son's an$ no on was * r at a #oss for a "artn r. Yo% A%st 'ra)) $ th n ar st warm )o$(! for ) tt r or for wors ! an$ (o% $anc $. A ski""in' Ai' for this on ! a circ#in' $anc in 'ro%"s of i'ht for anoth r. L%c f #t L%cin$a knowin' som of th mo* s innat #(I th r st of th m w r as( to "ick %". If on#( 4ani # w r h r L L%c with$r w to th $' of th 'r n! takin' a )r ak. Sh st%$i $ th wom n&s $r ss s. B( mo$ rn stan$ar$s! th ( w r n&t fanc(! )%t th wom n wor th m with s%ch "ri$ that th $r ss s s m $ as # 'ant as an( of th fin 'owns sh &$ s n at @ rsai## s. Man( w r ma$ of woo#I a f w ha$ #in n or cotton acc nts s wn into a co##ar or a h m. Most " o"# in th cit( on#( own $ on "air of sho s! so worn # ath r )oots a)o%n$ $! )%t L%c 8%ick#( r a#iC $ how m%ch asi r it was to $anc in th m than in hi'h7 h # $ sho s that "inch $ h r f t. Th m n mana' $ to #ook $a"" r in th ir ) st )r ch s. Most wor a #on' woo# t%nic on to" for warmth. 5oo$s w r toss $ )ack o* r th ir sho%#$ rsBth w ath r that ni'ht was a)o* fr Cin'! a#most mi#$. Most of th ir # ath r

masks w r "aint $ to mimic th fac s of for st anima#s! com"# m ntin' th f#ora# $ si'ns of th #a$i s& masks. A f w m n wor '#o* s! which #ook $ +" nsi* . B%t most of th han$s L%c to%ch $ that ni'ht w r co#$ an$ cha"" $ an$ r $. 0ats star $ from $irt roa$s aro%n$ th 'r n. 4o's s arch $ for th ir own rs amon' th m ss of )o$i s. Th air sm ## $ #ik "in an$ sw at an$ ) swa+ can$# s an$ th sw t m%sk of fr sh7)ak $ 'in' r)r a$. As th n +t son' wo%n$ $own! L%c s"ott $ E# anor! who s m $ ha""( to ) "#%ck $ from th arm of a )o( whos r $ mask was "aint $ #ik a fo+&s fac . E?h r &s La%raHG E# anor "oint $ towar$ a stan$ of tr s! wh r th ir (o%n' fri n$ # an $ c#os to a )o( th ( $i$n&t r co'niC ! whis" rin' som thin'. 5 was showin' h r a )ook! ' st%rin' in th air. It #ook $ #ik h took a 'r at $ a# of car with his hair. 5 wor a mask ma$ to r s m)# a ra))it&s fac . Th 'ir#s shar $ a 'i''# as th ( ma$ th ir wa( thro%'h th crow$. Th r was 5 # n! sittin' with h r h%s)an$ on a woo# )#ank t s"r a$ o%t on th 'rass. Th ( w r sharin' a woo$ n c%" of st amin' ci$ r an$ #a%'hin' asi#( a)o%t som thin'! which ma$ L%c miss 4ani # a## o* r a'ain. Th r w r #o* rs * r(wh r . E* n L%cin$a&s "ar nts ha$ t%rn $ o%t for th Fair . 5 r fath r&s wir( whit ) ar$ scra" $ h r moth r&s ch k as th ( sasha( $ aro%n$ th 'r n. L%c si'h $! th n fin' r $ th #ac $oi#( in h r "ock t.

Ros s ar r $! *io# ts ar )#% ! if 4ani # $i$n&t writ th s wor$s! th n whoH

Th #ast tim sh &$ r c i* $ a not a## ' $#( from 4ani #! it ha$ ) n a tra" s t )( th O%tcastsB An$ 0am ha$ sa* $ h r. 5 at ros on th )ack of h r n ck. ?as this a tra"H Bi## ha$ sai$ it was A%st a @a# ntin &s "art(. 5 &$ "%t so m%ch

n r'( into h #"in' h r on h r 8% st a#r a$(! h wo%#$n&t ha* # ft h r a#on #ik this if th r ha$ ) n an( r a# $an' r. Ri'htH L%c shook th tho%'ht awa(. Bi## ha$ sai$ 4ani # wo%#$ ) h r ! an$ L%c ) #i * $ him. B%t th wait was ki##in' h r. Sh fo##ow $ E# anor towar$ a #on' ta)# ! wh r "#at s an$ )ow#s of cas%a#! "ot7#%ck7st(# foo$ ha$ ) n s t o%t. Th r w r s#ic $ $%ck s r* $ o* r ca))a' ! who# har s that ha$ ) n roast $ on s"its! ca%#$rons of )a)( ca%#if#ow rs with a )ri'ht oran' sa%c ! hi'h7"i# $ "#att rs of a""# s! " ars! an$ $ri $ c%rrants har* st $ from th s%rro%n$in' for sts! an$ a who# #on' woo$ n ta)# fi## $ with missha" n! ha#f7)%rn $ "i s of m at an$ fr%it. Sh watch $ a man #oos n a f#at knif from a stra" s#%n' aro%n$ his waist an$ c%t hims #f a h ft( s#ic of "i . On h r wa( o%t th $oor that * nin'! L%c &s moth r ha$ han$ $ h r a sha##ow woo$ n s"oon! which sh ha$ thr a$ $ thro%'h a woo# ti aro%n$ h r waist. Th s " o"# w r "r "ar $ for atin'! fi+in'! an$ fi'htin'! th wa( L%c was "r "ar $ for #o* . E# anor r a"" ar $ at L%c &s si$ an$ h #$ a )ow# of "orri$' %n$ r h r nos . E2oos ) rr( Aam on to"!G E# anor sai$. EYo%r fa*orit .G ?h n L%c $i"" $ h r s"oon into th thick concoction! a sa*or( aroma waft $ %" an$ ma$ h r mo%th wat r. It was hot an$ h art( an$ $ #icio%sB +act#( what sh n $ $ to r *i* h r for anoth r $anc . B for sh r a#iC $ it! sh ha$ at n it a##. E# anor '#anc $ $own at th m"t( )ow#! s%r"ris $. E4anc $ %" an a"" tit ! $i$ (o%HG L%c no$$ $! f #in' warm an$ satisfi $. Th n sh notic $ two )rown7ro) $ c# r'(m n sittin' a"art from th crow$ on a woo$ n ) nch ) n ath an #m tr . N ith r was takin' "art in th f sti*iti sBin fact! th ( #ook $ mor #ik cha" ron s than r * # rsB)%t th (o%n' r on mo* $

his f t in tim with th rh(thm! whi# th oth r! who ha$ a shri* # $7#ookin' fac ! '#ar $ $ark#( at th crow$s. ETh Lor$ s s an$ h ars this # w$ $ )a%ch r( " r" trat $ so n ar 5is ho%s !G th shri* # $7fac $ man scoff $. EAn$ c#os r than that! * n.G Th oth r c# r'(man #a%'h $. E4o (o% r ca##! Mast r 4ock t! A%st how m%ch of th ch%rch&s 'o#$ w nt towar$ 5is Lor$shi"&s @a# ntin &s )an8% tH ?as it tw nt( 'o#$ "i c s for that sta'H Th s " o"# &s f sti*iti s cost nothin' mor than th n r'( to $anc . An$ th ( $anc #ik an' #s.G If on#( L%c co%#$ s h r an' # $ancin' towar$ h r ri'ht now L EAn' #s who&## s# " thro%'h tomorrow&s workin' ho%rs! mark m( wor$s! Mast r 5 rrick.G E0an (o% not s th Ao( on th s (o%n' fac sHG Th (o%n' r *icar&s ( s sw "t across th 'r n! fo%n$ L%c &s at th $' of th #awn! an$ )ri'ht n $. Sh fo%n$ h rs #f smi#in' )ack ) hin$ h r maskB)%t h r Ao( that * nin' wo%#$ ) *ast#( incr as $ if sh co%#$ ) th r in 4ani #&s arms. Oth rwis ! what was th "oint of takin' this romantic ni'ht offH It s m $ that L%c an$ th shri* # $7fac $ *icar w r th on#( two " o"# h r not r #ishin' th mas8% ra$ . An$ ' n ra##( L%c #o* $ a 'oo$ "art(! )%t ri'ht now a## sh want $ to $o was "#%ck th masks off th fac of * r( )o( who "ass $. ?hat if sh &$ a#r a$( miss $ him in th crow$H 5ow wo%#$ sh know if th 4ani # of this ra wo%#$ * n ) #ookin' for h rH Sh star $ so )a#$#( at a ta## )#on$ )o( whos mask ma$ him #ook #ik an a'# that h )o%n$ $ "ast th to(mak r&s sta## an$ th "%"" t show to stan$ ) for h r. ESha## I intro$%c m(s #f! or wo%#$ (o% rath r A%st k " starin'HG 5is t asin' *oic so%n$ $ n ith r fami#iar nor %nfami#iar. For a mom nt! L%c h #$ h r )r ath.

Sh ima'in $ th cstas( of his han$s aro%n$ h r waist L th wa( h a#wa(s $i"" $ h r )ackwar$ to "r fac a kiss L Sh want $ to to%ch th "#ac wh r his win's )#oom $ from his sho%#$ rs! th s cr t scar no on kn w a)o%t )%t h r L ?h n sh r ach $ %" to #ift his mask! th )o( 'rinn $ at h r )o#$n ssB)%t his smi# fa$ $ as 8%ick#( as L%c &s $i$ wh n sh saw his fac . 5 was " rf ct#( 'oo$7#ookin'I th r was A%st on "ro)# m9 5 wasn&t 4ani #. An$ so * r( as" ct of this )o( Bfrom his s8%ar nos ! to his stron' Aaw! to his "%r 7'ra( ( sB"a# $ in com"arison to th )o( sh ha$ in min$. Sh # t o%t a #on'! sa$ si'h. Th )o( co%#$n&t hi$ his m)arrassm nt. 5 f%m)# $ for wor$s! th n s#i"" $ his mask )ack o* r his fac ! makin' L%c f # t rri)# . EI&m sorr(!G sh sai$! 8%ick#( )ackin' awa(. EI mistook (o% for som on #s .G L%cki#(! sh )ack $ into La%ra! whos fac ! %n#ik L%cin$a&s! was ch r( with th ma'ic of th ni'ht. EOh! I ho" th (&## $raw from 0%"i$&s Urn soonFG La%ra whis" r $! )o%ncin' on h r h #s an$ $rawin' L%c m rcif%##( awa( from th a'# )o(. E4i$ (o% sn ak (o%r nam in th r aft r a##HG L%c ask $! fin$in' a smi# . La%ra shook h r h a$. EMoth r wo%#$ s#a%'ht r m FG E?on&t ) m%ch #on' r.G E# anor a"" ar $ at th ir si$ . Sh #ook $ n r*o%s. Sh was confi$ nt a)o%t * r(thin' +c "t )o(s. ETh ( $raw at th to## of th n +t ch%rch ) ##s! to 'i* th n w sw th arts a chanc to $anc . P rha"s a kiss if th (&r #%ck(.G Th n +t ch%rch ) ##s. To L%c ! it s m $ #ik th i'ht o&c#ock ) ##s ha$ on#( A%st r%n'! )%t sh was c rtain tim m%st ) f#(in' fast r than sh r a#iC $. ?as it a#r a$( a#most nin H 5 r tim to ) with 4ani # was r%nnin' o%tB fastBan$ stan$in' aro%n$ o)s ssi* #( scannin' th 'a## r(

of masks wasn&t $oin' an( 'oo$. No ( s '#ow $ *io# t ) hin$ th ir *isor. Sh ha$ to act. Som thin' to#$ h r sh &$ ha* ) tt r #%ck on th $anc f#oor. ESha## w $anc a'ainHG sh ask $ th 'ir#s! "%##in' th m )ack into th crow$.

Th r * # rs ha$ stam" $ th 'rass into m%$. Th m%sica# arran' m nt ha$ 'rown mor intricat ! a 8%ick wa#tC! an$ th $anc s ha$ chan' $! too. L%c fo##ow $ th #i'ht! fast st "s! "ickin' %" th mor com"#icat $ arm mo* m nts as sh w nt a#on'. Pa#m to "a#m with th ' nt# man in front of (o%! a sim"# c%rts(! an$ th n s * ra# ski"s in a wi$ circ# aro%n$ (o%r "artn r to fac th oth r si$ I th n a swa" with th 'ir# to (o%r # ft. Th n "a#m to "a#m with th n +t (o%n' man! an$ th who# thin' was r " at $. 5a#fwa( thro%'h th son'! L%c was o%t of )r ath an$ 'i''#in' wh n sh sto"" $ in front of h r n w "artn r. 5 r f t s%$$ n#( f #t w #$ $ to th m%$. 5 was ta## an$ s# n$ r! w arin' a mask with # o"ar$&s s"ots. Th $ si'n was +otic to L%cin$aBth r w r no # o"ar$s in th woo$s aro%n$ h r cit(. It was c rtain#( th most # 'ant mask sh &$ s n at th "art(. Th man +t n$ $ his '#o* $ han$s! an$ wh n L%c s#i"" $ h rs ca%tio%s#( insi$ ! his 'ri" was firm! a#most "oss ssi* . B hin$ th ho# s aro%n$ th # o"ar$&s ( s! th r cam a ' nt# '#ow as m ra#$7'r n iris s #ock $ with h rs.

FOUR

SOME 0ONSEPUEN0E YET 5AN2IN2 IN T5E STARS

E2oo$*

nin'! #a$(. 5ow nim)#( (o% $anc . Lik an

an' #.G L%c &s #i"s "art $ to r s"on$! )%t h r *oic ca%'ht in h r throat. ?h( $i$ 0am ha* to crash this "art(H E2oo$ * nin'! sir!G L%c r s"on$ $ with a 8%i* r in h r *oic . From a## th $ancin'! h r fac was f#%sh $! an$ h r )rai$s ha$ t%m)# $ #oos ! an$ on of th s# * s of h r $r ss ha$ s#i"" $ off h r sho%#$ r. Sh co%#$ f # 0am&s 'aC on h r )ar skin. Sh r ach $ to ri'ht h r s# * ! )%t his '#o* $ han$ cross $ h rs to sto" h r. ES%ch sw t $isor$ r in (o%r $r ss.G 5 $r w a fin' r across h r co##ar)on an$ sh shi* r $. EIt ins"ir s a man&s ima'ination.G Th son' chan' $ k (s! a c% for th $anc rs to chan' "artn rs. 0am&s fin' rs #ift $ off h r skin! )%t L%c &s h art sti## "o%n$ $ as th ( $anc $ awa( from ach oth r. Sh watch $ 0am from th corn r of h r ( . 5 was watchin' h r. Sh kn w som how that this was not 0am from th "r s nt chasin' h r )ackwar$ thro%'h tim . This was th 0am who #i* $ an$ )r ath $ in this m $i *a# air. 5 was asi#( th most # 'ant $anc r on th 'r n. Th r was an th r a# 8%a#it( to his st "s that $i$ not 'o

%nnotic $ )( th #a$i s. From th att ntion h was ' ttin'! L%c kn w h was not from this cit(. 5 &$ arri* $ s" cia##( to att n$ th @a# ntin &s Fair . B%t wh(H Th n th ( w r "air $ a'ain. ?as sh sti## $ancin'H 5 r )o$( f #t stiff an$ ri'i$. E* n th m%sic s m $ to st%tt r in an n$# ss in7) tw n ) at! which ma$ L%c worr( that sh an$ 0am wo%#$ ha* to sta( root $ to th s s"ots! starin' into on anoth r&s ( s for * r. EAr (o% a## ri'ht! sirHG L%c ha$n&t +" ct $ to sa( that. B%t th r was som thin' stran' in his +"r ssion. It was a $arkn ss * n his mask co%#$ not conc a#. This was not th $ark of *i# $oin's! not th t rrif(in' wa( h &$ a"" ar $ in th c m t r( at Swor$ O 0ross. No! this 0am&s so%# was cri""# $ )( sorrow. ?hat co%#$ mak him #ook #ik thatH 5is ( s narrow $! as if h s ns $ h r tho%'hts! an$ som thin' in his fac shift $. EI ha* n * r ) n ) tt r.G 0am ti#t $ his h a$. EIt&s (o% I&m worri $ a)o%t! L%cin$a.G EM HG L%c tri $ har$ not to show how h aff ct $ h r. Sh wish $ for a $iff r nt kin$ of mask a#to' th r! an in*isi)# on ! which wo%#$ "r * nt him from * r a'ain thinkin' h kn w how sh f #t. 5 rais $ his mask to his for h a$. EYo%&r n'a' $ in an im"ossi)# n$ a*or. Yo%&## n$ %" )rok nh art $ an$ a#on . Un# ssBG EUn# ss whatHG 5 shook his h a$. ETh r is so m%ch $arkn ss in (o%! L%cin$a.G Th # o"ar$ mask #ow r $ a'ain. E0om )ack aro%n$! com )ack aro%n$.L G 5is *oic trai# $ off as h ) 'an to $anc awa(. For onc ! L%c wasn&t thro%'h with him. E?aitFG B%t 0am ha$ $isa"" ar $ into th $anc . 5 was stri$in' in s#ow circ# s with a n w "artn r. La%ra. 0am m%rm%r $ som thin' in th innoc nt 'ir#&s ar! an$ sh toss $ )ack h r h a$ an$ #a%'h $. L%c f%m $. Sh

want $ to A rk sim"# ! )ri'ht La%ra awa( from 0am&s $arkn ss. Sh want $ to 'ra) 0am an$ forc him to +"#ain. Sh want $ to ha* a con* rsation on h r t rms! not at mom ntar(! m #o$ramatic int r*a#s ) tw n Ai' st "s in th mi$$# of a "%)#ic f sti*a# in th Mi$$# A' s. Th r h was a'ain! comin' towar$ h r in " rf ct contro# of th st "s! as if inf#% ncin' th t m"o of th m%sic. L%c co%#$n&t ha* f #t mor o%t of contro#. 1%st wh n h was a)o%t to com ) for h r a'ain! a ta## )#on$ man $r ss $ ntir #( in )#ack $ ft#( "%sh $ him asi$ . 5 stoo$ ) for h r an$ ma$ no "r t ns of $ancin'. E5 ##o.G Sh s%ck $ in h r )r ath. E5 ##o.G Ta##! m%sc%#ar! m(st rio%s ) (on$ a## "ossi)i#it(. Sh wo%#$ know him an(wh r . Sh r ach $ for him! $ s" rat to f # som conn ction! to f # th sw t st f#%sh at th to%ch of h r tr% #o* &s skinB 4ani #. 1%st as th m%sic was a)o%t to $ictat that th ( chan' "artn rs! it s#ow $Ba#most #ik ma'icBan$ mor"h $ into som thin' s#ow an$ ) a%tif%#. F#am s from th can$# s "osition $ a## aro%n$ th Fair f#ick r $ a'ainst th $ark sk(! an$ th ntir wor#$ s m $ to ho#$ its )r ath. L%c star $ into 4ani #&s ( s! an$ a## th mo* m nt an$ co#ors aro%n$ him fa$ $ awa(. Sh ha$ fo%n$ him. 5is arms cam towar$ h r! circ#in' h r waist as h r )o$( m #t $ into his! )%CCin' with th thri## of his to%ch. Th n sh was $ " in 4ani #&s arms an$ th r was nothin' so won$ rf%# in a## th wor#$ as $ancin' with h r an' #. Th ir f t kiss $ th 'ro%n$ with th #i'htn ss of th ir st "s! an$ th f#i'ht was so o)*io%s an$ innat in 4ani #&s )o$(. Sh f #t th )%o(anc( in h r own h art! too! which sh f #t on#( wh n 4ani # was n ar. Th r was nothin' so won$ rf%#B +c "t ma() his kiss. 5 r #i"s "art $ in +" ctation! )%t 4ani # A%st watch $

h r! $rinkin' h r in with his ( s. EI tho%'ht (o%&$ n * r com !G sh sai$. L%c tho%'ht a)o%t sca"in' thro%'h th Anno%nc rs in h r )ack(ar$! a)o%t chasin' $own h r "ast #if tim s an$ watchin' th m )%rn %"! a)o%t th fi'hts sh an$ 4ani # ha$ ha$ o* r k "in' h r saf an$ a#i* . Som tim s it was as( to for' t how 'oo$ th ( w r to' th r. 5ow #o* #( h was! how kin$! th wa( ) in' with him ma$ h r f # #ik sh was f#(in'. 1%st #ookin' at him ma$ th tin( hairs on h r arms stan$ %"! ma$ h r stomach f#i"7f#o" with n r*o%s n r'(. An$ that was nothin' com"ar $ to what kissin' him $i$ to h r. 5 rais $ his mask an$ h #$ h r so ti'ht#( a'ainst him sh co%#$n&t mo* . Sh $i$n&t want to. Sh "or $ o* r * r( #o* #( f at%r of his fac ! h r ( s #in' rin' th #on' st on th soft c%r* of his #i"s. Aft r a## this )%i#$%"! sh sim"#( co%#$n&t ) #i * it. It was r a##( himF EI wi## a#wa(s com )ack to (o%.G 5is ( s h #$ h r in a tranc . ENothin' can sto" m .G L%c ros on h r to s! $ s" rat to kiss him! )%t 4ani # "r ss $ a fin' r to h r #i"s an$ smi# $. E0om with m !G h whis" r $! takin' h r han$. 4ani # # $ h r "ast th $' of th 'r n! "ast th rin' of oak tr s that ncirc# $ th r * # rs. Th hi'h 'rass tick# $ h r ank# s an$ th moon #it th ir wa( %nti# th ( nt r $ th chi##( $arkn ss of th for st. Th r 4ani # "ick $ %" a sma##! '#owin' #ant rn! as if this was a## "art of his "#an. E?h r ar w 'oin'HG sh ask $! tho%'h it $i$n&t r a##( matt r! as #on' as th ( w r to' th r. 4ani # A%st shook his h a$ an$ smi# $! ho#$in' o%t a han$ to h #" h r ho" o* r a fa## n )ranch )#ockin' th "ath. As th ( wa#k $! th m%sic fa$ $ %nti# it was har$ to $isc rn! min'#in' with th #ow hootin' of ow#s! th r%st#in' of s8%irr #s in tr )ranch s! an$ th soft son' of th ni'htin'a# . Th #ant rn rock $ on 4ani #&s arm an$ th #i'ht wo))# $! r achin' for th w ) of )ar )ranch s

c%r#in' o%t towar$ th m. Onc ! L%c wo%#$ ha* ) n n r*o%s a)o%t th sha$ows in th for st! )%t that s m $ #ik mi## nnia a'o. As th ( wa#k $ han$ in han$! L%c &s an$ 4ani #&s f t trac $ a narrow " ))# "ath. Th ni'ht 'r w co#$ r an$ sh # an $ c#os to him for warmth! )%rrowin' $ " into th arms h wra"" $ aro%n$ h r. ?h n th ( arri* $ at a fork in th "ath! 4ani # "a%s $ for a mom nt! a#most as if h &$ #ost his wa(. Th n h t%rn $ to fac h r. EI sho%#$ +"#ain!G h sai$. EI ow (o% a @a# ntin &s 'ift.G L%c #a%'h $. EYo% $on&t ow m an(thin'. I A%st want to ) with (o%.G EAh! )%t I r c i* $ (o%r 'iftBG EM( 'iftHG Sh #ook $ %"! s%r"ris $. EAn$ it to%ch $ m to m( cor .G 5 r ach $ o%t an$ took h r han$. EI sho%#$ a"o#o'iC if I ha* * r ma$ (o% won$ r a)o%t m( aff ctions. Unti# A%st ( st r$a(! I $i$n&t think I wo%#$ ) a)# to m t (o% h r toni'ht.G A crow caw $! soarin' o* rh a$ an$ #an$in' on a wo))#( )ranch a)o* th m. EB%t th n a m ss n' r arri* $ an$ 'a* a## th kni'hts in m( car strict instr%ctions to att n$ th Fair . I f ar I ro$ m( hors to n ar +ha%stion in m( hast to fin$ (o% h r toni'ht. It&s A%st that I ha* ) n so a' r to r "a( (o% for (o%r most tho%'htf%# 'ift.G EB%t 4ani #! I $i$n&tBG EThank (o%! L%cin$a.G Th n h "ro$%c $ a # ath r sh ath that #ook $ #ik it mi'ht ho#$ a $a'' r. L%c tri $ not to #ook too )aff# $! )%t sh ha$ n * r s n it ) for in h r #if . EOh.G Sh #a%'h $ %n$ r h r )r ath an$ fin' r $ th $oi#( in h r "ock t. E4o (o% * r ' t th f #in' som on &s watchin' o* r %sHG 5 smi# $ an$ sai$! EA## th tim .G EMa() th (&r o%r '%ar$ian an' #s!G L%c m%rm%r $ Aokin'#(.

EMa() !G 4ani # sai$. EB%t ha""i#(! ri'ht now! I think it&s A%st (o% an$ m .G 5 '%i$ $ h r to th # ft7han$ "athI th ( took a f w mor st "s! th n t%rn $ ri'ht an$ "ass $ a crook $ oak tr . In th $arkn ss L%c co%#$ s ns a sma##! circ%#ar c# arin'! wh r a *ast oak tr m%st ha* ) n cho"" $ $own. Its st%m" stoo$ in th c nt r of th c# arin'Ban$ som thin' ha$ ) n "#ac $ on it! )%t L%c co%#$n&t s what ( t. E0#os (o%r ( s!G h to#$ h r! an$ wh n sh $i$! sh s ns $ th #ant rn mo*in' awa(. Sh h ar$ him r%st#in' aro%n$ th c# arin'! an$ sh cam * r( c#os to " kin'! )%t sh mana' $ to ho#$ o%t! wantin' to +" ri nc th s%r"ris A%st th wa( 4ani # ha$ int n$ $ it. Aft r a mom nt! a fami#iar sc nt fi## $ L%c &s nos . Sh c#os $ h r ( s an$ inha# $ $ "#(. Som thin' soft! f#ora# L an$ a)so#%t #( %nmistaka)# . P oni s. Sti## stan$in' with h r ( s c#os $! L%c co%#$ s h r $r ar( $orm room )ack at Swor$ O 0ross! ma$ ) a%tif%# )( th *as of " oni s in h r win$ow that 4ani # ha$ )ro%'ht to h r at th hos"ita#. Sh co%#$ s th c#iff&s $' in Ti) t! wh r sh &$ st "" $ thro%'h to witn ss 4ani # $o#in' o%t sin'# f#ow rs to h r "ast s #f in a 'am that n$ $ too soon. Sh co%#$ a#most sm ## th 'aC )o in 5 #ston! which t m $ with th " oni s& f ath r( whit )#ooms. ENow o" n (o%r ( s.G Sh co%#$ h ar th smi# in 4ani #&s *oic ! an$ wh n sh o" n $ h r ( s an$ saw him stan$in' ) for th tr st%m" $ ck $ with a *ast )o%8% t of " oni s in a ta##! wi$ co"" r *as ! sh co* r $ h r mo%th an$ 'as" $. B%t that wasn&t a##. 4ani # ha$ thr a$ $ " on( )#ossoms thro%'h th s# n$ r )ranch s. 5 &$ ma$ *as s of th "ocks in a## th s%rro%n$in' tr s& st%m"s. 5 &$ str wn th 'ro%n$ with th " oni s& $ #icat ! snow( " ta#s. 5 ha$ wo* n a wr ath for h r hair. 5 &$ #it $oC ns of can$# s in sma##

han'in' #ant rns a## aro%n$! so that th who# c# arin' '#ow $ with a ma'ica# )ri##ianc . ?h n h st "" $ forwar$ to "#ac th wr ath on L%c &s h a$! sh Ban$ h r m $i *a# s #fBn ar#( m #t $. M $i *a# L%cin$a $i$n&t r co'niC th *ast arra( of f#ow rsI sh wo%#$ ha* no i$ a how this was "ossi)# in F )r%ar(Ban$ sh sti## #o* $ * r( inch of th s%r"ris . B%t L%cin$a Pric kn w that th "%r 7whit " oni s w r mor than A%st a @a# ntin &s 4a( 'ift. Th ( w r th s(m)o# of 4ani # 2ri'ori&s t rna# #o* . Th can$# #i'ht f#ick r $ on his fac . 5 was smi#in' )%t #ook $ n r*o%s! as if h $i$n&t know wh th r sh #ik $ his 'ift or not. EOh! 4ani #.G Sh rac $ into his arms. ETh (&r ) a%tif%#.G 5 sw%n' h r in a circ# an$ st a$i $ th wr ath on h r h a$. ETh (&r ca## $ " oni s. Not tra$itiona# @a# ntin &s f#ow rs!G h sai$! tossin' his h a$ tho%'htf%##(! E)%t sti##! th ( ar L som thin' of a tra$ition.G L%c #o* $ that sh %n$ rstoo$ +act#( what h m ant. EP rha"s w co%#$ mak th m o%r @a# ntin &s tra$ition!G sh s%'' st $. 4ani # "#%ck $ a #ar' )#ossom from th )o%8% t an$ s#i"" $ it ) tw n h r fin' rs! ho#$in' it c#os to h r h art. 5ow man( tim s across histor( ha$ h $on th +act sam thin'H L%c co%#$ s a '#imm r in his ( s that s%'' st $ it n * r 'ot o#$. EY s! o%r * r( own @a# ntin &s tra$ition!G h m%s $. EP oni s an$ L w ##! th r o%'ht to ) som thin' #s . O%'htn&t th r HG EP oni s an$GBL%c rack $ h r )rain. Sh $i$n&t n $ an(thin' #s . 4i$n&t n $ an(thin' )%t 4ani # L an$! w ## L E5ow a)o%t " oni s an$ a kissHG EThat&s a * r(! * r( 'oo$ i$ a.G Th n h kiss $ h r! his #i"s $i*in' towar$ h rs with %ns%r"ass $ $ sir .

Th kiss f #t wi#$ an$ n w an$ +"#orator(! as if th (&$ n * r kiss $ ) for . 4ani # was #ost in th kiss! fin' rs wo* n thro%'h h r hair! his )r ath hot on h r n ck as his #i"s +"#or $ h r ar#o) s an$ h r co##ar)on ! th #ow c%t of h r $r ss. N ith r of th m co%#$ ' t no%'h air! )%t th ( r f%s $ to sto" kissin'. An itch of h at cr "t %" L%c &s n ck! an$ h r "%#s ) 'an to rac . ?as it ha"" nin'H Sh wo%#$ $i of #o* ri'ht h r ! in th mi$$# of this '#owin' whit for st. Sh $i$n&t want to # a* 4ani #! $i$n&t want to ) cast into th sk(! into anoth r )#ack ho# with on#( Bi## for a com"anion. 4amn this c%rs . ?h( was sh )o%n$ to itH ?h( co%#$n&t sh )r ak fr H T ars of fr%stration w ## $ in h r ( s. Sh "%## $ awa( from 4ani #&s #i"s! "r ssin' h r for h a$ to his an$ )r athin' har$! waitin' for fir to s ar h r so%# an$ tak this )o$(&s #if . On#(Bwh n sh sto"" $ kissin' 4ani #! th h at fa$ $! #ik a "ot ) in' #ift $ off a fir . Sh f# w to his #i"s a'ain. Th h at )#oom $ thro%'h h r #ik a ros in s%mm r. B%t som thin' was $iff r nt. This was not th a##7 cons%min' f#am that +tin'%ish $ h r! that ha$ +i# $ h r from "ast )o$i s an$ s nt who# th at rs %" in smok . This was th warm! $aCC#in' cstas( of kissin' som on (o% tr%#( #o* $Bsom on (o% w r m ant to ) with for * r. An$ for now. 4ani # watch $ h r n r*o%s#(! s nsin' that som thin' im"ortant ha$ ha"" n $ insi$ h r. EIs an(thin' th matt rHG Th r was so m%ch to sa(B A tho%san$ 8% stions Aock ( $ for th ti" of h r ton'% ! )%t th n a 'r%ff *oic Aarr $ h r ima'ination.

Th on#( @a# ntin &s 4a( (o% ki$s * r 'ot to s" n$

to' th r.
5ow was that "ossi)# H So m%ch #o* ha$ "ass $ ) tw n th m! an$ ( t th ( ha$ n * r ) for s" nt or wo%#$ n * r a'ain s" n$ th most famo%s#( romantic $a( of th ( ar in ach oth r&s arms. Y t h r th ( w r ! st%ck in a mom nt ) tw n "ast an$ f%t%r ! )itt rsw t an$ "r cio%s! conf%sin' an$ stran' an$ incr $i)#( a#i* . L%c $i$n&t want to scr w this %". Ma() Bi##! an$ th kin$ (o%n' c# r'(man! an$ h r $ ar fri n$ La%ra w r ach ri'ht in th ir wa(. Ma() it was sw t no%'h A%st to ) in #o* . ENothin'&s wron'. 1%st kiss m ! an$ kiss m a'ain an$ a'ain.G 4ani # #ift $ h r off th 'ro%n$ an$ h #$ h r cra$# $ in his arms. 5is #i"s w r #ik hon (. Sh wra"" $ h r arms aro%n$ th )ack of his n ck. 5is han$s trac $ th sma## of h r )ack. L%c co%#$ )ar #( )r ath . Sh was o* rcom with #o* . In th $istanc ! ch%rch ) ##s ran'. Th ( wo%#$ ) $rawin' from 0%"i$&s Urn now! )o(s& han$s ran$om#( s # ctin' th ir sw th arts! 'ir#s& ch ks r $ with antici"ation! * r(on ho"in' for a kiss. L%c c#os $ h r ( s an$ wish $ that * r( co%"# on th 'r nBthat * r( co%"# in th wor#$B co%#$ shar a kiss as sw t as this on . E5a""( @a# ntin &s 4a(! L%cin$a.G E5a""( @a# ntin &s 4a(! 4ani #. 5 r &s to man(! man( mor .G 5 'a* h r a warm! ho" f%# #ook an$ no$$ $. EI "romis .G

EPILO2UE

T5E 2UAR4IANS

Back on th

'r n! fo%r tro%)a$o%rs com"# t $ th ir #ast son' an$ +it $ th sta' to mak room for th "r s ntation of 0%"i$&s Urn. As a## th titt rin' sin'# (o%n' m n an$ wom n "r ss $ +cit $#( %" to th "#atform! th tro%)a$o%rs sn ak $ off to th si$ . On )( on ! th ( rais $ th ir masks. Sh #)( toss $ $own h r r cor$ r. Mi# s str%mm $ on mor chor$ on his #(r for 'oo$ m as%r ! an$ Ro#an$ harmoniC $ on his fr tt $ #%t . Arrian s#i"" $ h r ha%t)o( into its s# n$ r woo$ n cas an$ w nt to h #" h rs #f to a )i' m%' of "%nch. B%t sh winc $ as sh toss $ it )ack an$ "r ss $ a han$ to th )#oo$( c#oth $r ssin' th n w wo%n$ on h r n ck. EYo% Aamm $ "r tt( w ## o%t th r ! Mi# s!G Ro#an$ sai$. EYo% m%st ha* "#a( $ th #(r som wh r ) for HG EFirst tim !G Mi# s sai$ noncha#ant#(! tho%'h it was c# ar h was "# as $ )( th com"#im nt. 5 '#anc $ at Sh #)( an$ s8% C $ h r han$. EI "ro)a)#( A%st so%n$ $ 'oo$ ) ca%s of Sh #&s accom"anim nt.G Sh #)( start $ to ro## h r ( s! )%t sh on#( 'ot ha#fwa( th r ) for sh 'a* %" an$ # an $ in to " ck Mi# s soft#( on th #i"s. EY ah! "ro)a)#(.G ERo#an$HG Arrian ask $ s%$$ n#(! s"innin' aro%n$ to scan th 'r n. E?hat ha"" n $ to 4ani # an$ L%cin$aH A

mom nt a'o th ( w r ri'ht o* r th r . OhGBsh c#a"" $ h r for h a$BEcan nothin' 'o ri'ht for #o* HG E? A%st saw th m $ancin'!G Mi# s sai$. EI&m s%r th (&r oka(. Th (&r to' th r.G EI to#$ 4ani # +"r ss#(! MS"in L%cin$a into th c nt r of th 'r n wh r w can s (o%.& It&s as if h sti## $o sn&t know how m%ch work 'o s into thisFG EI '% ss h ha$ oth r "#ans!G Ro#an$ sai$ )roo$in'#(. ELo* som tim s $o s.G EYo% '%(s! r #a+.G Sh #)(&s *oic st a$i $ th oth rs! as if h r n w #o* ha$ )o#st r $ h r faith in th wor#$. EI saw 4ani # # a$ h r into th for st! thatawa(. Sto"FG sh cri $! t%''in' on Arrian &s )#ack c#oak. E4on&t fo##ow th mF 4on&t (o% think! aft r * r(thin'! th ( $ s r* som tim a#on HG EA#on HG Arrian ask $! # ttin' o%t a h a*( si'h. EA#on .G Ro#an$ cam to stan$ n +t to Arrian ! $ra"in' an arm aro%n$ h r! car f%# to a*oi$ h r inA%r $ n ck. EY s!G Mi# s sai$! his fin' rs thr a$ $ thro%'h Sh #)(&s. ETh ( $ s r* som tim a#on .G An$ in that mom nt %n$ r th stars! a sim"# %n$ rstan$in' "ass $ amon' th fo%r. Som tim s #o* n $ $ a #ift from its '%ar$ian an' #s! to ' t its f t off th 'ro%n$. B%t onc it ma$ its first ar#( ) ats towar$ f#i'ht! it ha$ to ) tr%st $ to tak win' on its own an$ soar "ast th hi'h st conc i*a)# h i'hts! into th h a* nsBan$ ) (on$.

RAPTURE! T5E FOURT5 NO@EL IN LAUREN KATE&S UNFOR2ETTABLY EPI0 FALLEN

SERIES! ?ILL BE ON SALE T5IS SUMMER.

R a$ on for a s" cia# "r *i w.

RAPTURE

A## oth r thin's to th ir $ str%ction $raw! On#( o%r #o* hath no $ ca(.L

B1O5N 4ONNE! Th Anni* rsar(

PROLO2UE

FALLIN2

First! th

r was si# nc B In th s"ac ) tw n 5 a* n an$ th Fa##! $ " in th %nknowa)# $istanc ! th r was a mom nt wh n th '#orio%s h%m of 5 a* n $isa"" ar $ an$ was r "#ac $ )( a si# nc so "rofo%n$ that 4ani #&s so%# strain $ to mak o%t an( nois . Th n cam th act%a# f #in' of fa##in'Bth kin$ of $ro" that * n his win's co%#$n&t sa* him from! as if th Thron ha$ attach $ moons to th m. Th ( har$#( ) at! an$ wh n th ( $i$ it ma$ no im"act on th traA ctor( of his fa##. ?h r was h 'oin'H Th r was nothin' ) for him an$ nothin' ) hin$. Nothin' %" an$ nothin' $own. On#( thick $arkn ss! an$ th )#%rr( o%t#in of what was # ft of 4ani #&s so%#. In th a)s nc of an( nois whatso * r! his min$ took o* r9 It fi## $ his h a$ with som thin' #s ! som thin' in sca"a)# 9 th ha%ntin' wor$s of L%c &s c%rs .

Sh wi## $i .L Sh wi## n * r "ass o%t of a$o# sc nc L wi## $i a'ain an$ a'ain an$ a'ain at "r cis #( th mom nt wh n sh r m m) rs (o%r choic . Yo% wi## n * r tr%#( ) to' th r.
It was L%cif r&s fo%# im"r cation! his m)itt r $ a$$ n$%m to th Thron &s s nt nc "ass $ th r in th h a* n#( M a$ow. Now $ ath was comin' for his #o* .

0o%#$ 4ani # sto" itH ?o%#$ h * n r co'niC itH For what $i$ an an' # know of $ athH 4ani # ha$ witn ss $ it com " ac f%##( to som of th n w morta# )r $s ca## $ h%mans! )%t $ ath was not th conc rn of an' #s. 4 ath an$ a$o# sc nc 9 th two a)so#%t s in L%cif r&s 0%rs . N ith r m ant a thin' to 4ani #. A## h kn w was that ) in' s "arat $ from L%cin$a was not a "%nishm nt h co%#$ n$%r . Th ( ha$ to ) to' th r. EL%cin$aFG h sho%t $. 5is so%# sho%#$ ha* warm $ at th * r( tho%'ht of h r! )%t th r was on#( achin' a)s nc . 5 sho%#$ ha* ) n a)# to s ns his )r thr n aro%n$ himBa## of thos who&$ chos n wron'#( or too #at I who&$ ma$ no choic at a## an$ ) n cast o%t for th ir in$ cision. 5 kn w that h wasn&t tr%#( a#on Bmor than on h%n$r $ mi##ion of th m ha$ "#%mm t $ wh n th 'ro%n$ ) n ath th m o" n $ %" onto th *oi$. B%t h co%#$ n ith r s nor s ns an(on #s . B for this mom nt! h ha$ n * r ) n a#on . 5 f #t as if h mi'ht ) th #ast an' # in a## th wor#$s. 4on&t think #ik that. Yo%&## #os (o%rs #f. 5 tri $ to ho#$ on L L%cin$a! th ro## ca##! L%cin$a! th choic L )%t as h f ##! it 'r w har$ r to r m m) r. ?hat! for instanc ! w r th #ast wor$s h &$ h ar$ s"ok n )( th Thron B

Th 2at s of 5 a* n L Th 2at s of 5 a* n ar L
5 co%#$ not r m m) r what cam n +t! co%#$ on#( $im#( r ca## how th 'r at #i'ht f#ick r $! an$ th harsh st co#$ sw "t o* r th M a$ow! an$ th tr s in th Orchar$ t%m)# $ into on anoth r! ca%sin' wa* s of f%rio%s $ist%r)anc that w r f #t thro%'ho%t th cosmos! ts%namis of c#o%$soi# that )#in$ $ th an' #s an$ cr%sh $ th ir '#or(. Th r ha$ ) n som thin' #s ! som thin' A%st ) for th o)#it ration of th M a$ow! som thin' #ik aB

Twinnin'.
A )o#$ )ri'ht an' # ha$ soar $ %" $%rin' th ro## ca##B sai$ h was 4ani # com )ack from th f%t%r . Th r was a sa$n ss in his ( s that ha$ #ook $ so o#$. 5a$ this an' # Bthis L * rsion of 4ani #&s so%#Btr%#( s%ff r $H 5a$ L%cin$aH 4ani # s th $ with ra' . 5 wo%#$ fin$ L%cif r! th an' # who #i* $ at th $ a$ n$ of a## i$ as. 4ani # $i$ not f ar th traitor who ha$ ) n th Mornin' Star. ?h r * r! wh n * r th ( r ach $ th n$ of this o)#i*ion! 4ani # wo%#$ tak his r * n' . B%t first h wo%#$ fin$ L%cin$a! for witho%t h r! nothin' matt r $. ?itho%t h r #o* ! nothin' was "ossi)# . Th irs was a #o* that ma$ it inconc i*a)# to choos L%cif r or th Thron . Th on#( si$ h co%#$ * r choos was h rs. So now 4ani # wo%#$ "a( for that choic ! )%t h $i$ not ( t %n$ rstan$ th sha" his "%nishm nt wo%#$ tak . On#( that sh was 'on from th "#ac sh ) #on' $9 at his si$ . Th "ain of s "aration from his so%# mat co%rs $ thro%'h 4ani # s%$$ n#(! shar" an$ )r%ta#. 5 moan $ wor$# ss#(! his min$ c#o%$ $ o* r! an$ s%$$ n#(! fri'ht nin'#(! h co%#$n&t r m m) r wh(. 5 t%m)# $ onwar$! $own thro%'h $ ns r )#ackn ss. 5 co%#$ no #on' r s or f # or r ca## how h ha$ n$ $ %" h r ! nowh r ! h%rt#in' thro%'h nothin'n ssB towar$ wh r H For how #on'H 5is m mor( s"%tt r $ an$ fa$ $. It was har$ r an$ har$ r to r m m) r thos wor$s s"ok n )( th an' # in th whit m a$ow who #ook $ so m%ch #ik L ?ho ha$ th an' # r s m)# $H An$ what ha$ h sai$ that was so im"ortantH 4ani # $i$ not know! $i$ not know an(thin' an(mor . On#( that h was t%m)#in' thro%'h th *oi$. 5 was fi## $ with an %r' to fin$ som thin' L som on . An %r' to f # who# a'ain L

B%t th r was on#( $arkn ss insi$ $arkn ssB Si# nc $rownin' o%t his tho%'htsB A nothin' that was * r(thin'. 4ani # f ##.

ONE

T5E BOOK OF T5E ?AT05ERS

E2oo$ mornin'.G
A warm han$ )r%sh $ L%c &s ch k an$ t%ck $ a stran$ of hair ) hin$ h r ar. Ro##in' onto h r si$ ! sh (awn $ an$ o" n $ h r ( s. Sh ha$ ) n s# "in' $ "#(! $r amin' a)o%t 4ani #. EOh!G sh 'as" $! f #in' h r ch k. Th r h was. 4ani # was sittin' n +t to h r. 5 wor a )#ack sw at r an$ th sam r $ scarf that ha$ ) n knott $ aro%n$ his n ck th first tim sh &$ s n him at Swor$ O 0ross. 5 #ook $ ) tt r than an( $r am. 5is w i'ht ma$ th $' of th cot sa' a #itt# ! an$ L%c $r w %" h r # 's to sn%''# c#os r to him. EYo%&r not a $r am!G sh sai$. 4ani #&s ( s w r )# ari r than sh was %s $ to s in' th m! )%t th ( sti## '#ow $ th )ri'ht st *io# t as th ( 'aC $ at h r fac ! st%$(in' h r f at%r s as if h w r s in' h r an w. 5 # an $ $own an$ "r ss $ his #i"s to h rs. L%c fo#$ $ into him! wra""in' h r arms aro%n$ th )ack of his n ck! ha""( to kiss him )ack. Sh $i$n&t car that h r t th n $ $ )r%shin' or that sh "ro)a)#( ha$ ) $ h a$. Sh $i$n&t car a)o%t an(thin' oth r than his kiss. Th ( w r to' th r now an$ n ith r of th m co%#$ h #" 'rinnin'. Th n it a## cam r%shin' )ack9 RaCor c#aws an$ $%## r $ ( s. 0hokin' st nch of $ ath an$ rot. 4arkn ss * r(wh r ! so com"# t in its $oom it ma$ #i'ht an$ #o* an$ * r(thin' 'oo$ in th wor#$ f # tir $ an$ )rok n an$ $ a$. That L%cif r ha$ onc ) n som thin' #s to h rBBi##! th orn r( ston 'ar'o(# sh &$ mistak n for a fri n$Bwas im"ossi)# . Sh &$ # t him ' t too c#os ! an$ now! ) ca%s

sh ha$ not $on "r cis #( as h wish $Bchoosin' not to ki## h r so%# in anci nt E'("tBh ha$ $ ci$ $ to wi" th s#at c# an. To ) n$ tim aro%n$ to ras * r(thin' sinc th Fa##. E* r( #if ! * r( #o* ! * r( mom nt that * r( morta# an$ an' #ic so%# ha$ * r +" ri nc $ wo%#$ ) cr%m)# $ an$ $iscar$ $ at L%cif r&s r ck# ss whim. Lik th %ni* rs was a )oar$ 'am an$ h was a whinin' chi#$ 'i*in' %" as soon as h ) 'an to #os . B%t what it was h want $ to win! L%c ha$ no i$ a. 5 r skin f #t hot r m m) rin' his wrath. 5 &$ want $ h r to s it! to tr m)# in his han$ wh n h took h r )ack to th tim of th Fa##. Th n h &$ thrown h r asi$ ! castin' an Anno%nc r #ik a n t to ca"t%r a## of th an' #s who&$ fa## n from 5 a* n. 1%st as 4ani # ca%'ht h r in that starr( no"#ac ! L%cif r )#ink $ o%t of +ist nc ! an$ th who# c(c# start $ a'ain. It was a $rastic mo* . 4ani # +"#ain $ that in or$ r to '%i$ th an' #s into th f%t%r ! L%cif r wo%#$ ha* to twin with his "ast s #f an$ r #in8%ish his "ow r. For as #on' as th an' #s took to fa##! h &$ ) %na)# to $o an(thin'. 1%st #ik th r st of th m! h &$ fa## in "ow r# ss iso#ation! with his )r thr n )%t a"art! to' th r a#on . An$ onc th ( f ## to Earth! th r wo%#$ ) a hicc%" in tim ! an$ * r(thin' wo%#$ start an w. As tho%'h th s * n tho%san$ ( ars ) tw n th n an$ now ha$ n * r ha"" n $. As tho%'h L%c ha$n&t at #ast ) '%n to %n$ rstan$ th c%rs . Th who# wor#$ was in A o"ar$(B%n# ss L%c ! s * n an' #s! an$ two N "hi#im co%#$ sto" him. Th ( ha$ A%st nin $a(s an$ no i$ a wh r to start. L%c ha$ ) n so tir $ th ni'ht ) for that sh $i$n&t r m m) r #(in' $own on this cot! $rawin' this thin )#% )#ank t aro%n$ h r sho%#$ rs. Th r w r co)w )s in th raft rs of th sma## ca)in! a fo#$in' ta)# c#%tt r $ with ha#f7

$r%nk m%'s of hot choco#at that 2a)) ha$ ma$ for * r(on #ast ni'ht. B%t it a## s m $ #ik a $r am to L%c . 5 r f#i'ht $own from th Anno%nc r to this tin( is#an$ off T() ! this saf Con for th an' #s! ha$ ) n )#%rr $ )( )#in$in' +ha%stion. Sh &$ fa## n as# " whi# th oth rs w r sti## ta#kin'! # ttin' 4ani #&s *oic #%## h r into a $r am. Now th ca)in was 8%i t! an$ in th win$ow ) hin$ 4ani #&s si#ho% tt th sk( was th 'ra( of a#most7s%nris . Sh r ach $ %" to to%ch his ch k. 5 t%rn $ his h a$ an$ kiss $ th insi$ of h r "a#m. L%c s8% C $ h r ( s to sto" th m from cr(in'. ?h(! aft r a## th (&$ ) n thro%'h! $i$ L%c an$ 4ani # ha* to ) at th 4 *i# ) for th ( w r fr to #o* H E4ani #.G Ro#an$&s *oic ca## $ from th $oorwa( of th ca)in. 5is han$s w r t%ck $ insi$ his " acoat "ock ts an$ a 'ra( woo# ski ca" crown $ his $r a$s. 5 'a* L%c a w ar( smi# . EIt&s tim .G ETim for whatHG L%c "ro"" $ h rs #f %" on h r #)ows. E? &r # a*in'H A#r a$(H ?hat a)o%t m( "ar ntsH Th (&r "ro)a)#( "anick $.G EI tho%'ht I&$ tak (o% )( th ir ho%s now!G 4ani # sai$! Eto sa( 'oo$)( .G EB%t how am I 'oin' to +"#ain $isa"" arin' aft r Thanks'i*in' $inn rHG Sh r m m) r $ 4ani #&s wor$s #ast ni'ht9 Tho%'h it f #t #ik th (&$ ) n insi$ th Anno%nc rs for an t rnit(! in r a# tim on#( a f w ho%rs ha$ "ass $. Sti##! to 5arr( an$ 4or n Pric ! a f w ho%rs of a missin' $a%'ht r was t rnit(. 4ani # an$ Ro#an$ shar $ a '#anc . E? took car of it!G Ro#an$ sai$! han$in' 4ani # a s t of car k (s. EYo% took car of it howHG L%c ask $. EM( $a$ onc ca## $ th "o#ic wh n I was ha#f an ho%r #at from schoo#BG E4on&t worr(! ki$!G Ro#an$ sai$. E? &* 'ot (o% co* r $. Yo% A%st n $ to mak a 8%ick cost%m chan' .G 5

"oint $ towar$ a )ack"ack on th rockin' chair )( th $oor. E2a)) )ro%'ht o* r (o%r thin's.G EUm! thanks!G sh sai$! conf%s $. ?h r was 2a)) H ?h r w r th r st of th mH Th ca)in ha$ ) n "ack $ th ni'ht ) for ! "ositi* #( coC( with th '#ow of an' # win's an$ th sm ## of hot choco#at an$ cinnamon. Th m mor( of that coCin ss! co%"# $ with th "romis of sa(in' 'oo$)( to h r "ar nts witho%t knowin' wh r sh was 'oin'! ma$ this mornin' f # m"t(. Th woo$ f#oor was ro%'h a'ainst h r )ar f t. Lookin' $own! sh r a#iC $ sh was sti## w arin' th narrow whit shift $r ss sh &$ ha$ on in E'("t! th #ast #if sh &$ *isit $ thro%'h th Anno%nc rs. Bi## ha$ ma$ h r w ar it. No! not Bi##. L%cif r. 5 &$ # r $ so a""ro*in'#( as sh t%ck $ th starshot into h r waist)an$! cont m"#atin' th a$*ic h &$ 'i* n h r on how to ki## h r so%#. N * r! n * r! n * r. L%c ha$ too m%ch to #i* for. Insi$ th o#$ 'r n )ack"ack sh %s $ to tak to s%mm r cam"! L%c fo%n$ h r fa*orit "air of "aAamasB th r $7an$7whit 7stri" $ f#ann # s tBn at#( fo#$ $! with th matchin' whit s#i"" rs %n$ rn ath. EB%t it&s mornin'!G sh sai$. E?hat $o I n $ "aAamas forHG A'ain 4ani # an$ Ro#an$ shar $ a '#anc ! an$ this tim ! L%c co%#$ sw ar th ( w r tr(in' not to #a%'h. E1%st tr%st %s!G Ro#an$ sai$. Aft r sh was $r ss $! L%c fo##ow $ 4ani # o%t of th ca)in! # ttin' his )roa$ sho%#$ rs )%ff r th win$ as th ( wa#k $ $own th " ))#( shor to th wat r. Th tin( is#an$ off T() was a)o%t a mi# from th Sa*annah coast#in . Across that str tch of s a! Ro#an$ ha$ "romis $ that a car was waitin'. 4ani #&s win's w r conc a# $! )%t h m%st ha* s ns $ h r ( in' th "#ac wh r th ( %nf%r# $ from his sho%#$ rs. E?h n * r(thin' is in or$ r! w &## f#( wh r * r w ha* to 'o to sto" L%cif r. Unti# th n it&s ) tt r to sta( #ow to th 'ro%n$.G

EOka(!G L%c sai$. ERac (o% to th oth r si$ HG 5 r )r ath frost $ th air. EYo% know I&$ ) at (o%.G ETr% .G 5 s#i"" $ an arm aro%n$ h r waist! warmin' h r. EMa() w &$ ) tt r tak th )oat! th n. Prot ct m( famo%s "ri$ .G Sh watch $ him %nmoor a sma## m ta# row)oat from a sin'# )oat s#i". Th soft #i'ht on th wat r ma$ h r think )ack to th $a( th (&$ rac $ across th s cr t #ak at Swor$ O 0ross. 5is skin ha$ '#ist n $ as th ( ha$ "%## $ th ms #* s %" to th f#at rock in th c nt r to catch th ir )r aths! th n ha$ #ain on th s%n7warm $ ston ! # ttin' th $a(&s h at $r( th ir )o$i s. Sh &$ )ar #( known 4ani # th n Bsh ha$n&t known h was an an' #Ban$ a#r a$( sh &$ ) n $an' ro%s#( in #o* with him. E? %s $ to swim to' th r in m( #if tim in Tahiti! $i$n&t w HG sh ask $! s%r"ris $ to r m m) r anoth r tim sh &$ s n 4ani #&s hair '#ist nin' with wat r. 4ani # star $ at h r an$ sh kn w how m%ch it m ant to him to fina##( ) a)# to shar som of his m mori s of th ir "ast. 5 #ook $ so mo* $ that L%c tho%'ht h mi'ht cr(. Inst a$ h kiss $ h r for h a$ t n$ r#( an$ sai$! EYo% ) at m a## thos tim s! too! L%#%.G Th ( $i$n&t ta#k m%ch as 4ani # row $. It was no%'h for L%c A%st to watch th wa( his m%sc# s strain $ an$ f# + $ ach tim h $ra'' $ th oars )ack! h arin' th m $i" in an$ o%t of th co#$ wat r! )r athin' in th )rin of th oc an. Th s%n was risin' o* r h r sho%#$ rs! warmin' th )ack of h r n ck! )%t as th ( a""roach $ th main#an$! sh saw som thin' that s nt a shi* r $own h r s"in . A car. Sh r co'niC $ th whit Ta%r%s imm $iat #(. E?hat&s wron'HG 4ani # saw L%c &s "ost%r stiff n as th row)oat to%ch $ th shor . EOh. That.G 5 so%n$ $ %nconc rn $ as h ho"" $ o%t of th )oat an$ h #$ o%t a han$ to L%c . Th 'ro%n$ was m%#ch( an$ rich7sm ##in'. It

r min$ $ L%c of h r chi#$hoo$. EIt&s not what (o% think!G 4ani # sai$. E?h n So"hia f# $ Swor$ an$ 0ross! aft rGBL%c wait $! wincin'! ho"in' 4ani # wo%#$n&t sa( aft r sh m%r$ r $ P nnBEaft r w fo%n$ o%t who sh r a##( was! th an' #s confiscat $ h r car.G 5is fac har$ n $. ESh ow s %s that m%ch! an$ mor .G L%c tho%'ht of P nn&s whit fac ! th )#oo$ $rainin' from it. E?h r is So"hia nowHG 4ani # shook his h a$. EI $on&t know. Unfort%nat #(! w &## "ro)a)#( soon fin$ o%t. I ha* a f #in' sh &## worm h r wa( into o%r "#ans.G 5 $r w th k (s from his "ock t! ins rt $ on into th "ass n' r $oor. EB%t that&s not what (o% sho%#$ ) worri $ a)o%t ri'ht now.G EOka(.G L%c s8%int $ at him as sh sank onto th 'ra( c#oth s at. ESo th r &s som thin' #s I sho%#$ ) worri $ a)o%t ri'ht nowHG 4ani # t%rn $ th k (! an$ th car sh%$$ r $ s#ow#( to #if . Th #ast tim sh &$ sat in this s at! sh &$ ) n worri $ a)o%t ) in' in th car a#on with him. It was th first ni'ht th (&$ * r kiss $Bas far as sh &$ known th n! an(wa(. Sh was sta))in' at th s at ) #t wh n sh f #t his fin' rs o* r h rs. ER m m) r!G h sai$ soft#(! r achin' o* r to )%ck# h r ) #t! # ttin' his han$s #in' r o* r h rs. ETh r &s a trick.G 5 kiss $ h r soft#( on th ch k! th n "%t th car in $ri* an$ " # $ o%t of th w t woo$s onto th narrow two7 #an )#ackto". Th ( w r th on#( on s on th roa$. E4ani #HG L%c ask $ a'ain. E?hat #s sho%#$ I ) worri $ a)o%tHG 5 '#anc $ at h r "aAamas. E5ow 'oo$ ar (o% at "#a(in' sickHG

Th whit Ta%r%s i$# $ in th a## ( ) hin$ h r "ar nts&

ho%s as L%c cr "t "ast th thr aCa# a tr s ) si$ h r ) $room win$ow. In th s%mm r! th r wo%#$ ) tomato *in s cr "in' o%t of th )#ack soi#! )%t in wint r th si$ (ar$ #ook $ )arr n an$ $r ar( an$ not * r( m%ch #ik hom . Sh co%#$n&t r m m) r th #ast tim sh &$ stoo$ o%t h r . Sh &$ sn ak $ o%t of thr $iff r nt )oar$in' schoo#s ) for ! )%t n * r o%t of h r own "ar nts& ho%s . Now sh was sn akin' in! an$ sh $i$n&t * n know how h r win$ow work $. L%c #ook $ aro%n$ at what sh co%#$ s of h r s# "( n i'h)orhoo$! at th mornin' "a" r sittin' in its $ w( "#astic )a' at th $' of h r "ar nts& #awn! at th o#$! n t# ss )ask t)a## hoo" in th 1ohnsons& $ri* wa( across th str t. Nothin' ha$ chan' $ sinc sh &$ ) n 'on . Nothin' ha$ chan' $! +c "t L%c . If Bi## s%cc $ $! wo%#$ this n i'h)orhoo$ *anish! tooH Sh 'a* on #ast wa* to 4ani #! who was watchin' from th car! took a $ " )r ath! an$ %s $ h r th%m)s to "r( th #ow r "an # from th crackin' )#% "aint of th si##. It s#i$ ri'ht %". Som on insi$ ha$ a#r a$( "o"" $ o%t th scr n. L%c "a%s $! st%nn $ as th whit m%s#in c%rtains "art $ an$ th ha#f7)#on$! ha#f7)#ack h a$ of h r on tim n m( Mo##( Nan fi## $ th o" n s"ac . E &S%"! M at Loaf.G L%c )rist# $ at th nicknam sh &$ arn $ on h r first $a( at Swor$ O 0ross. This was what 4ani # an$ Ro#an$ m ant wh n th ( sai$ th (&$ tak n car of thin's at hom H E?hat ar (o% $oin' h r ! Mo##(HG E0om on. I won&t )it .G Mo##( +t n$ $ a han$. 5 r nai#s w r chi"" $! m ra#$ 'r n. L%c sank h r han$ into Mo##(&s! $%ck $ an$ si$# $! on # ' at a tim ! thro%'h th win$ow. 5 r ) $room #ook $ sma## an$ o%t$at $! #ik a tim ca"s%# # ft )( som #on'7a'o L%c . Th r was th fram $ "ost r of th Eiff # Tow r on th )ack of h r $oor. Th r was h r )%## tin )oar$ f%## of swim t am ri))ons from Th%n$ r)o#t E# m ntar(. An$ th r ! %n$ r th 'r n7an$7

( ##ow 5awaiian7"rint $%* t! was h r ) st fri n$! 0a##i . 0a##i scram)# $ from %n$ r th co* rs! $ash $ aro%n$ th ) $! an$ f#%n' h rs #f into L%c &s arms. ETh ( k "t t ##in' m (o% w r 'oin' to ) oka(! )%t in that #(in'! w &r 7a##7so7com"# t #(7t rrifi $7w &r 7A%st7not7'oin'7to7 +"#ain7a7wor$7to7(o% kin$ of wa(. 4o (o% * n r a#iC how thoro%'h#( cr "( that wasH It was #ik (o% "h(sica##( $ro"" $ off th fac of th arthBG L%c h%'' $ h r )ack ti'ht#(. As far as 0a##i kn w! L%c ha$ on#( ) n 'on sinc th ni'ht ) for . EOka(! (o% two!G Mo##( 'row# $! "%##in' L%c awa( from 0a##i ! E(o% can OM2 (o%r fac s off #at r. I $i$n&t #i in (o%r ) $ in that ch a" "o#( st r wi' a## ni'ht "r t n$in' to ) L%c with stomach f#% so (o% '%(s co%#$ )#ow o%r co* r now.G Sh ro## $ h r ( s. EAmat %rs.G E5o#$ on. Yo% $i$ whatHG L%c ask $. EAft r (o% L $isa"" ar $!G 0a##i sai$ )r ath# ss#(! Ew kn w w co%#$ n * r +"#ain it to (o%r "ar nts. I m an! I co%#$ )ar #( fathom it aft r s in' it with m( own ( s. So I to#$ th m (o% f #t sick an$ ha$ 'on to ) $ an$ Mo##( "r t n$ $ to ) (o% an$BG EL%ck( I fo%n$ this in (o%r c#os t.G Mo##( twir# $ a short! wa*( )#ack wi' aro%n$ on fin' r. E5a##ow n r mnantHG E?on$ r ?oman.G L%c winc $! r 'r ttin' h r mi$$# schoo# 5a##ow n cost%m ! an$ not for th first tim . E? ##! it work $.G It was stran' to s Mo##(Bwho&$ onc si$ $ with L%cif rBh #"in' h r. B%t * n Mo##(! #ik 0am an$ Ro#an$! $i$n&t want to fa## a'ain. So h r th ( w r ! a t am. EYo% co* r $ for m H I $on&t know what to sa(. Thank (o%.G E?hat * r.G Mo##( A rk $ h r h a$ at 0a##i I an(thin' to $ f# ct L%c &s 'ratit%$ . ESh was th r a# si#* r7ton'% $ $ *i#. Thank h r.G Sh st%ck on # ' o%t of th o" n win$ow an$ t%rn $ to ca## )ack! EThink (o% '%(s can han$# it from h r H I ha* a s%mmit m tin' at ?aff# 5o%s .G

L%c 'a* Mo##( a th%m)s7%" an$ f#o"" $ $own on h r ) $. EOh! L%c !G 0a##i whis" r $. E?h n (o% # ft! (o%r who# )ack(ar$ was co* r $ in this 'ra( $%st. An$ that )#on$ 'ir#! 2a)) ! sw "t h r han$ onc an$ ma$ it $isa"" ar. Th n w sai$ (o% w r sick! that * r(on #s ha$ 'on hom ! an$ w A%st start $ $oin' th $ish s with (o%r "ar nts. An$ at first I tho%'ht that Mo##( 'ir# was a #itt# )it t rri)# ! )%t sh &s act%a##( kin$ of coo#.G 5 r ( s narrow $. EB%t wh r $i$ (o% 'oH ?hat ha"" n $ to (o%H Yo% scar $ m .G EI $on&t * n know wh r to start!G L%c sai$. EI&m sorr(.G Th r was a knock! fo##ow $ )( th fami#iar cr ak of h r ) $room $oor o" nin'. L%c &s moth r stoo$ in th ha##wa(! h r s# "7wi#$ hair "%## $ )ack )( a ( ##ow )anana c#i"! h r fac )ar of mak %" an$ "r tt(. Sh was ho#$in' a wick r tra( with two '#ass s of oran' A%ic ! two "#at s of )%tt r $ toast! an$ a )o+ of A#ka7S #tC r. ELooks #ik som on &s f #in' ) tt r.G L%c wait $ for h r mom to "%t th tra( $own on th ni'htstan$I th n sh wra"" $ h r arms aro%n$ h r moth r&s waist an$ )%ri $ h r fac in h r "ink t rr(c#oth )athro) . T ars st%n' h r ( s. Sh sniff $. EM( #itt# 'ir#!G h r mom sai$! f #in' L%c &s for h a$ an$ ch ks to ch ck for f * r. Sh ha$n&t %s $ that soft! sw t *oic with L%c in a' s! an$ it f #t so 'oo$ to h ar. EI #o* (o%! Mom.G E4on&t t ## m sh &s too sick for B#ack Fri$a(.G L%c &s fath r a"" ar $ in th $oorwa(! ho#$in' a 'r n "#astic wat rin' can. 5 was smi#in'! )%t ) hin$ his rim# ss '#ass s! his ( s #ook $ conc rn $. EI am f #in' ) tt r!G L%c sai$! E)%tBG EOh! 5arr(!G L%c &s mom sai$. EYo% know w on#( ha$ h r for th $a(. Sh has to ) )ack at schoo#.G Sh t%rn $ to L%c . E4ani # ca## $ a #itt# whi# a'o! hon (. 5 sai$ h can "ick (o% %" an$ tak (o% )ack to schoo#. I sai$ that of co%rs (o%r fath r an$ I wo%#$ ) ha""( to! )%tBG

ENo!G L%c sai$ 8%ick#(! r m m) rin' th "#an 4ani # ha$ $ tai# $ in th car. EYo% '%(s sho%#$ 'o $o (o%r B#ack Fri$a( sho""in'. It&s a Pric fami#( tra$ition.G Th ( a'r $ that L%c wo%#$ ri$ with 4ani #! an$ h r "ar nts wo%#$ tak 0a##i to th air"ort. ?hi# th 'ir#s at th ir )r akfast! L%c &s "ar nts sat on th $' of th ) $ an$ ta#k $ a)o%t Thanks'i*in' JE2a)) "o#ish $ a## th chinaBwhat an an' #GK. B( th tim th ( mo* $ on to th B#ack Fri$a( $ a#s th ( w r on th h%nt for JEA## (o%r fath r * r wants is too#sGK! L%c r a#iC $ that sh ha$n&t sai$ an(thin' +c "t for inan con* rsationa# fi## rs #ik EUh7h%hG an$ EOh! r a##(HG ?h n h r "ar nts fina##( stoo$ %" to tak th "#at s into th kitch n! an$ 0a##i start $ to "ack! L%c w nt into th )athroom an$ sh%t th $oor. Sh was a#on for th first tim in what s m $ #ik a mi##ion a' s. Sh sat $own on th *anit( stoo# an$ #ook $ in th mirror. Sh was h rs #f! )%t $iff r nt. S%r ! L%cin$a Pric #ook $ )ack at h r. B%t a#so L Th r was La(#a in th f%##n ss of h r #i"s! L%#% in th thick wa* s of h r hair! L% Din&s int nsit( in th haC # of h r ( s! L%cia&s $im"# in h r ch k! r a$( for mischi f. Sh was not a#on . Ma() sh n * r wo%#$ ) a#on a'ain. Th r ! in th mirror! was * r( incarnation of L%cin$a starin' )ack at h r an$ won$ rin'! ?hat is to ) com of

%sH ?hat a)o%t o%r histor(! an$ o%r #o* H

Sh took a show r an$ "%t on c# an A ans! h r )#ack ri$in' )oots! an$ a #on' whit sw at r. Sh sat $own on 0a##i &s s%itcas whi# h r fri n$ str%''# $ to Ci" it %". Th si# nc ) tw n th m was )r%ta#. EYo%&r m( ) st fri n$! 0a##i !G L%c fina##( sai$. EI&m 'oin' thro%'h som thin' I $on&t %n$ rstan$. B%t that thin' isn&t (o%. I&m sorr( I $on&t know how to ) mor s" cific! )%t I&* miss $ (o%. So m%ch.G 0a##i &s sho%#$ rs t ns $. EYo% %s $ to t ## m

* r(thin'.G B%t th #ook that "ass $ ) tw n th m s%'' st $ )oth 'ir#s kn w that wasn&t "ossi)# an(mor . A car $oor s#amm $ o%t front. Thro%'h th o" n )#in$s L%c watch $ 4ani # mak his wa( %" h r "ar nts& "ath. An$ * n tho%'h it ha$ ) n # ss than an ho%r sinc h ha$ $ro"" $ h r off! L%c f #t h r ch ks f#%sh at th si'ht of him. 5 wa#k $ s#ow#(! as if h w r f#oatin'! his r $ scarf trai#in' ) hin$ him in th win$. E* n 0a##i star $. L%c &s "ar nts stoo$ to' th r in th fo( r. Sh h%'' $ ach on of th m for a #on' tim B4a$ first! th n Mom! th n 0a##i ! who s8% C $ h r har$ an$ whis" r $ 8%ick#(! E?hat I saw (o% $o #ast ni'ht was ) a%tif%#. I A%st want (o% to know that.G L%c f #t h r ( s )%rn a'ain. Sh s8% C $ 0a##i )ack an$ mo%th $ thank (o%. Th n sh wa#k $ $own th "ath an$ into 4ani #&s arms an$ what * r cam a#on' with th m.

ETh r (o% ar ! (o% #o* )ir$s (o%! $oin& that thin' that #o* )ir$s $o!G Arrian san'! )o))in' h r h a$ o%t from ) hin$ a #on' )ookcas . Sh was sittin' cross7# '' $ on a woo$ n #i)rar( chair! A%''#in' a f w 5ack( Sacks. Sh wor o* ra##s an$ com)at )oots! an$ h r $ark hair was "#ait $ into tin( "i'tai#s. L%c was not o* rAo( $ to ) )ack at th Swor$ O 0ross #i)rar(. It ha$ ) n r no*at $ sinc th fir that $ stro( $ it! )%t it sti## sm ## $ #ik som thin' )i' an$ %'#( ha$ )%rn $ th r . Th fac%#t( ha$ +"#ain $ awa( th fir as a fr ak acci$ nt! )%t som on ha$ ) n ki## $BTo$$! a 8%i t st%$ nt L%c ha$ )ar #( known %nti# th ni'ht h $i $Ban$ L%c kn w th r was som thin' $ark r #%rkin' ) n ath th s%rfac of th stor(. Sh )#am $ h rs #f. Now! as sh an$ 4ani # ro%n$ $ th corn r of a

)ooksh #f an$ h a$ $ for th #i)rar(&s st%$( ar a! L%c saw that Arrian was not a#on . A## of th m w r th r 9 2a)) ! Ro#an$! 0am! Mo##(! Anna) ## Bth # ''( an' # with th hot7"ink hairB * n Mi# s an$ Sh #)(! who wa* $ +cit $#( an$ #ook $ $ ci$ $#( $iff r nt from th oth r an' #s! )%t a#so $iff r nt from morta# t ns. Mi# s an$ Sh #)( w r Bw r th ( ho#$in' han$sH B%t wh n sh #ook $ a'ain! th ir han$s ha$ $isa"" ar $ %n$ r th ta)# th ( w r a## sittin' at. Mi# s t%'' $ his )as )a## ca" #ow r. Sh #)( c# ar $ h r throat an$ h%nch $ #ow r o* r a )ook. EYo%r )ook!G L%c sai$ to 4ani # as soon as sh s"ott $ th thick s"in with th )rown cr%m)#in' '#% n ar th )ottom. Th fa$ $ co* r r a$ Th ?atch rs9 M(th in M $i *a# E%ro" )( 4ani # 2ri'ori. 5 r han$ r ach $ a%tomatica##( for th "a# 'ra( co* r. Sh c#os $ h r ( s ) ca%s it r min$ $ h r of P nn! who sho%#$n&t ha* $i $I an$ ) ca%s th "hoto'ra"h "ast $ insi$ th front co* r of th )ook was th first thin' that ha$ con*inc $ h r that what 4ani # to#$ h r a)o%t th ir histor( mi'ht ) "ossi)# . It was a "hoto'ra"h tak n from anoth r #if ! on in 5 #ston! En'#an$. An$ * n tho%'h it sho%#$n&t ha* ) n "ossi)# ! th r was no $o%)t a)o%t it9 Th (o%n' woman in th "hoto'ra"h was L%cin$a Pric . E?h r $i$ (o% fin$ itHG L%c ask $. 5 r *oic m%st ha* 'i* n som thin' awa(! ) ca%s Sh #)( sai$! E?hat is so maAor a)o%t this $%st( o#$ thin' an(wa(HG EIt&s "r cio%s. O%r on#( k ( now!G 2a)) sai$. ESo"hia tri $ to )%rn it onc .G ESo"hiaHG L%c &s han$ shot to h r h art. EMiss So"hia tri $Bth fir in th #i)rar(H That was h rHG Th oth rs no$$ $. ESh ki## $ To$$!G L%c sai$ n%m)#(. So it ha$n&t ) n L%c &s fa%#t. Anoth r #if to #a( at So"hia&s f t.

EAn$ sh a#most $i $ of shock th ni'ht (o% show $ it to h r!G Ro#an$ sai$. E? w r a## shock $! s" cia##( wh n (o% #i* $ to ta#k a)o%t it.G E? ta#k $ a)o%t 4ani # kissin' m !G L%c r m m) r $! )#%shin'. EAn$ th fact that I s%r*i* $ it. ?as that what s%r"ris $ Miss So"hiaHG EPart of it!G Ro#an$ sai$. EB%t th r &s "# nt( mor in that )ook that So"hia wo%#$n&t ha* want $ (o% to know a)o%t.G ENot m%ch of an $%cator! was sh HG 0am sai$. E?hat wo%#$n&t sh ha* want $ m to knowHG A## th an' #s t%rn $ to #ook at 4ani #. ELast ni'ht w to#$ (o% that non of th an' #s r m m) r wh r w #an$ $ wh n w f ##!G 4ani # sai$. EY ah! a)o%t that. 5ow&s it "ossi)# HG Sh #)( sai$. EYo%&$ think that kin$ of thin' wo%#$ # a* an im"r ssion on th o#$ m moriC r.G 0am&s fac r $$ n $. EYo% tr( fa##in' for nin $a(s thro%'h m%#ti"# $im nsions an$ tri##ions of mi# s! #an$in' on (o%r fac ! )r akin' (o%r win's! ro##in' aro%n$ conc%ss $ for who knows how #on'! wan$ rin' th $ s rt for $ ca$ s #ookin' for an( c#% as to who or what or wh r (o% ar Ban$ th n ta#k to m a)o%t th o#$ m moriC r.G EOka(! (o%&* 'ot iss% s!G Sh #)( sai$! "%ttin' on h r shrink *oic . EIf I w r 'oin' to $ia'nos (o%BG E? ##! at # ast (o% r m m) r th r was a $ s rt in*o#* $!G Mi# s sai$ $i"#omatica##(! makin' Sh #)( #a%'h. 4ani # t%rn $ to L%c . EI wrot this )ook aft r I #ost (o% in Ti) t L )%t ) for I&$ m t (o% in Pr%ssia. I know (o% *isit $ that #if in Ti) t ) ca%s I fo##ow $ (o% th r ! so ma() (o% can s how #osin' (o% #ik I $i$ ma$ m t%rn to ( ars of r s arch an$ st%$( to fin$ a wa( o%t of this c%rs .G L%c #ook $ $own. That $ ath ha$ ma$ 4ani # r%n strai'ht off a c#iff. Sh f ar $ its ha"" nin' a'ain. E0am is ri'ht!G 4ani # sai$. ENon of %s r ca## wh r w #an$ $. ? wan$ r $ th $ s rt %nti# it was no #on' r $ s rt! w wan$ r $ th "#ains an$ th *a## (s an$ th

s as %nti# th ( t%rn $ to $ s rt. It wasn&t %nti# w s#ow#( fo%n$ on anoth r an$ ) 'an to "i c to' th r th stor( that w r m m) r $ w &$ * r ) n an' #s at a##. EB%t th r w r r #ics of o%r Fa##! r cor$s that mankin$ fo%n$ an$ k "t as tr as%r s! 'iftsBth ( thinkBfrom a 'o$ th ( $on&t %n$ rstan$. For a #on' tim th r #ics w r )%ri $ in a t m"# in 1 r%sa# m! )%t $%rin' th 0r%sa$ s! th ( w r sto# n! s"irit $ awa( to *ario%s "#ac s. Non of %s kn w wh r . E?h n I $i$ m( r s arch! I foc%s $ on th m $i *a# ra! t%rnin' to as man( r so%rc s as I co%#$ in a kin$ of th o#o'ica# sca* n' r h%nt for th r #ics. Th 'ist of it is that if th s thr artifacts can ) co## ct $ an$ 'ath r $ to' th r at Mo%nt SinaiBG E?h( Mo%nt SinaiHG Sh #)( ask $. ETh chann #s ) tw n th Thron an$ th Earth ar c#os st th r !G 2a)) +"#ain $ with a f#i" of h r hair. EThat&s wh r Mos s r c i* $ th T n 0omman$m nts! that&s wh r th an' #s nt r wh n th (&r $ #i* rin' m ssa' s from th Thron .G EThink of it as 2o$&s #oca# $i* !G Arrian a$$ $! s n$in' a 5ack( Sack too hi'h in th air an$ into an o* rh a$ #am". EB%t ) for (o% ask!G 0am sai$! makin' a "oint to sin'# o%t Sh #)( with his ( s! EMo%nt Sinai is not th ori'ina# sit of th Fa##.G EThat wo%#$ ) wa( too as(!G Anna) ## sai$. EIf th r #ics ar a## 'ath r $ at Mo%nt Sinai!G 4ani # sai$! Eth n! in th or(! th #ocation of th Fa## wi## ) r * a# $.G EIn th or(.G 0am sn r $. EM%st I ) th on to sa( th r is som 8% stion r 'ar$in' th *a#i$it( of 4ani #&s r s arch BG 4ani # c# nch $ his Aaw. EYo% ha* a ) tt r i$ aHG E4on&t (o% thinkGB0am rais $ his *oic BEthat (o%r th or( "%ts rath r a #ot of w i'ht on th i$ a that th s r #ics ar an(thin' mor than r%morH ?ho knows if th ( can

$o what th (&r s%""os $ to $oHG L%c st%$i $ th 'ro%" of an' #s an$ $ monsBh r on#( a##i s in this 8% st to sa* h rs #f an$ 4ani # L an$ th wor#$. ESo that %nknown #ocation is wh r w ha* to ) nin $a(s from now.G EL ss than nin $a(s from now!G 4ani # sai$. ENin $a(s from now wi## ) too #at . L%cif rBan$ th host of an' #s cast o%t of 5 a* nBwi## ha* arri* $.G EB%t if w can ) at L%cif r to th sit of th Fa##!G L%c sai$! Eth n whatHG 4ani # shook his h a$. E? $on&t r a##( know. I n * r to#$ an(on a)o%t this )ook ) ca%s I $i$n&t know what it wo%#$ a$$ %" to! an$ witho%t (o% ) in' th r to "#a( (o%r "artBG EM( "artHG L%c ask $. E?hich w $on&t r a##( ( t %n$ rstan$BG 2a)) #)ow $ 4ani #! c%ttin' him off. E?hat h m ans is! a## wi## ) r * a# $ in tim .G Mo##( smack $ h r for h a$. ER a##(H MA## wi## ) r * a# $&H Is that a## (o% '%(s knowH Is that what (o%&r 'oin' onHG EThat an$ (o%r im"ortanc !G 0am sai$ to L%c . EYo%&r th ch ss "i c th (&r fi'htin' o* r h r .G E?hatHG L%c whis" r $. ESh%t %"!G 4ani # sai$ to 0am! th n fi+ $ his att ntion on L%c . E4on&t #ist n to him.G 0am snort $! )%t no on acknow# $' $ it. 5is $is$ain A%st sat in th room #ik an %nin*it $ '% st. Th an' #s an$ $ mons w r si# nt. No on was 'oin' to # ak an(thin' #s a)o%t L%c &s ro# in sto""in' th Fa##. ESo a## of this information! this sca* n' r h%nt!G sh sai$! Eit&s in that )ookHG EMor or # ss!G 4ani # sai$. EI A%st ha* to s" n$ som tim with th t +t to know wh r w ) 'in.G Th oth rs mo* $ awa( to 'i* 4ani # s"ac at th ta)# . L%c f #t Mi# s&s han$ )r%sh th )ack of h r arm. Th (&$ )ar #( s"ok n sinc sh &$ com )ack thro%'h th

Anno%nc r. E0an I ta#k to (o%HG Mi# s ask $! * r( 8%i t#(. EL%c HG Th strain $ #ook on his fac ma$ L%c think of thos #ast f w mom nts in h r "ar nts& )ack(ar$! wh n Mi# s ha$ thrown h r r f# ction. Th (&$ n * r r a##( ta#k $ a)o%t th kiss th (&$ shar $ on th roof o%tsi$ h r Shor #in $orm room. S%r #( Mi# s kn w it was a mistak B)%t wh( $i$ L%c f # #ik sh was # a$in' him on * r( tim sh was nic to himH EL%c .G It was 2a)) ! a"" arin' at Mi# s&s si$ . EI tho%'ht I&$ m ntionGBsh '#anc $ at Mi# sBEif (o% want $ to 'o *isit P nn for a mom nt! now wo%#$ ) th tim .G E2oo$ i$ a.G L%c no$$ $. EThanks.G Sh '#anc $ a"o#o' tica##( at Mi# s! )%t h A%st t%'' $ his )as )a## ca" o* r his ( s an$ t%rn $ to whis" r som thin' to Sh #)(. EAh m.G Sh #)( co%'h $ in$i'nant#(. Sh was stan$in' ) hin$ 4ani #! tr(in' to r a$ th )ook o* r his sho%#$ r. E?hat a)o%t m an$ Mi# sHG EYo%&r 'oin' )ack to Shor #in !G 2a)) sai$! so%n$in' mor #ik L%c &s t ach rs at Shor #in than L%c ha$ * r notic $ ) for . E? n $ (o% to a# rt St * n an$ Franc sca. ? ma( n $ th ir h #"Ban$ (o%r h #"! too. T ## th mGBsh took a $ " )r athBEt ## th m it&s ha"" nin'. That an n$'am has com to "ass! tho%'h not as w &$ +" ct $. T ## th m * r(thin'. Th ( wi## know what to $o.G EFin !G Sh #)( sai$! scow#in'. EYo%&r th )oss.G EYo$ #a(h 7hooooo.G Arrian c%"" $ h r "a#ms aro%n$ h r mo%th. EIf! %h! L%c wants to ' t o%t! som on &s 'onna ha* to h #" h r $own from th win$ow.G Sh thr%mm $ h r fin' rs on th ta)# ! #ookin' sh "ish. EI ma$ a #i)rar(7)ook )arrica$ n ar th ntranc in cas an( of th Swor$ an$ 0ross7 ( $s f #t inc#in $ to $isr%"t %s.G E4i)s.G 0am a#r a$( ha$ his arm s#i"" $ thro%'h th crook of L%c &s #)ow. Sh start $ to ar'% ! )%t non of

th oth r an' #s s m $ to think it was a )a$ i$ a. 4ani # $i$n&t * n notic . N ar th )ack +it! Sh #)( an$ Mi# s )oth mo%th $ B car f%# to L%c ! with *ar(in' $ 'r s of fi rc n ss. 0am wa#k $ h r to th win$ow! ra$iatin' warmth with his smi# . 5 s#i$ th '#ass "an %" an$ to' th r th ( #ook $ o%t at th cam"%s wh r th (&$ m t! wh r th (&$ 'rown c#os ! wh r h &$ trick $ h r into kissin' him. Th ( w r n&t a## )a$ m mori s.L 5 ho"" $ thro%'h th win$ow first! #an$in' smooth#( on th # $' ! an$ h #$ o%t a han$ for h rs. EMi#a$(.G 5is 'ri" was stron'! an$ it ma$ h r f # tin( an$ w i'ht# ss as h $rift $ $own from th # $' ! two stori s in two s con$s. 5is win's w r conc a# $! )%t h sti## mo* $ as 'rac f%##( as if h w r f#(in'. Th ( #an$ $ soft#( on th $ w( 'rass. EI tak it (o% $on&t want m( com"an(!G h sai$. EAt th c m t r(Bnot! (o% know! in ' n ra#.G ERi'ht. No! thanks.G 5 #ook $ awa( an$ r ach $ into his "ock t! "%## $ o%t a tin( si#* r ) ##. It #ook $ anci nt an$ ha$ 5 )r w writin' on it. 5 han$ $ it to h r. E1%st rin' wh n (o% want a han$ )ack %".G E0am!G L%c sai$. E?hat is m( ro# in a## of thisHG 0am r ach $ o%t to to%ch h r ch k! th n s m $ to think ) tt r of it. 5is han$ ho* r $ in th air. E4ani #&s ri'ht. It isn&t o%r "#ac to t ## (o%.G 5 $i$n&t wait for h r r s"ons BA%st ) nt his kn s an$ soar $ off th 'ro%n$. 5 $i$n&t * n #ook )ack. L%c star $ at th cam"%s for a mom nt! # ttin' th fami#iar Swor$ O 0ross h%mi$it( stick to h r skin. Sh co%#$n&t t ## wh th r th $isma# schoo#! with its h%' ! harsh n o72othic )%i#$in's an$ sa$! $ f at $ #an$sca"in'! #ook $ $iff r nt or th sam . Sh stro## $ across th cam"%s! across th f#at! sti##

'rass of th commons! "ast th $ "r ssin' $ormitor(! to th wro%'ht iron 'at of th c m t r(. Th r sh "a%s $! f #in' 'oos )%m"s ris on h r arms. Th c m t r( sti## #ook $ an$ sm ## $ #ik a sinkho# in th mi$$# of th cam"%s. Th $%st from th an' #s& )att# ha$ c# ar $. It was sti## ar#( no%'h that most of th st%$ nts w r as# "! an$ an(wa(! non of th m w r #ik #( to ) "row#in' th c m t r(! %n# ss th ( w r s r*in' $ t ntion. Sh # t h rs #f in thro%'h th 'at an$ am)# $ $own thro%'h th # anin' h a$ston s an$ th m%$$( 'ra* s. In th far ast corn r #a( P nn&s fina# r stin' "#ac . L%c sat $own at th foot of h r fri n$&s "#ot. Sh $i$n&t ha* f#ow rs an$ sh $i$n&t know an( "ra( rs! so sh #ai$ h r han$s on th co#$! w t 'rass! c#os $ h r ( s! an$ s nt h r own kin$ of m ssa' to P nn! worr(in' that it mi'ht n * r r ach h r.

L%c 'ot )ack to th #i)rar( win$ow f #in' irrita)# . Sh $i$n&t n $ 0am or his ) ## to r sc% h r. Sh co%#$ ' t %" to th # $' )( h rs #f. It was as( no%'h to sca# th #ow st "ortion of th s#o" $ roof! an$ from th r sh co%#$ c#im) %" a f w # * #s %nti# sh was c#os to th #on'! narrow # $' ) n ath th #i)rar( win$ows. It was a)o%t two f t wi$ . As sh cr "t a#on' it! 0am&s an$ 4ani #&s )ick rin' *oic s waft $ o%tsi$ . E?hat if on of %s w r to ) int rc "t $HG 0am&s *oic was hi'h an$ "# a$in'. EYo% know w ar stron' r %nit $! 4ani #.G EIf w $on&t mak it th r in tim ! o%r str n'th won&t matt r. ? &## ) ras $.G Sh co%#$ "ict%r th m on th oth r si$ of th wa##9 0am with fists c# nch $ an$ 'r n ( s f#ashin'! 4ani # sto#i$

an$ immo*a)# ! with his arms cross $ o* r his ch st. EI $on&t tr%st (o% not to act on (o%r own ) ha#f.G 0am&s ton was harsh. ETh r &s nothin' to $isc%ss.G 4ani # $i$n&t chan' his ton . ES"#ittin' %" is o%r on#( o"tion.G Th oth rs w r 8%i t! "ro)a)#( thinkin' th sam thin' L%c was. Sh r ach $ th win$ow an$ saw that th two an' #s w r facin' ach oth r. 0am an$ 4ani # ) ha* $ far too m%ch #ik )roth rs for an(on #s to $ar com ) tw n th m. L%c &s han$s 'ri"" $ th win$owsi##. Sh f #t a sma## sw ## of "ri$ Bwhich sh wo%#$ n * r conf ssBat ha*in' ma$ it )ack into th #i)rar( witho%t h #". Pro)a)#( non of th an' #s wo%#$ * n notic . Sh si'h $ an$ s#i$ on # ' insi$ . That was wh n th win$ow ) 'an to sh%$$ r. Th '#ass ratt# $ in its "an ! an$ th si## '(rat $ in h r han$s with s%ch forc sh was a#most knock $ off th # $' . Sh h #$ on ti'ht r! f #in' *i)rations insi$ h r! as if h r h art an$ h r so%# w r tr m)#in'! too. EEarth8%ak !G sh whis" r $. 5 r foot skimm $ th )ack of th # $' A%st as h r 'ri" on th win$owsi## #oos n $. EL%cin$aFG 4ani # r%sh $ to th win$ow. 5is han$s fo%n$ th ir wa( aro%n$ h rs. 0am was th r ! too! on han$ on th )as of L%c &s sho%#$ rs! anoth r on th )ack of h r h a$. Th )ooksh #* s ri""# $ an$ th #i'hts in th #i)rar( f#ick r $ as th two an' #s "%## $ h r thro%'h th rockin' win$ow A%st ) for th "an s#i"" $ from th fram an$ shatt r $ into a tho%san$ shar$s of '#ass. Sh #ook $ to 4ani # for a c#% . 5 was sti## 'ri""in' h r wrists! )%t his ( s tra* # $ "ast h r! o%tsi$ . 5 was watchin' th sk(! which ha$ t%rn $ an'r( an$ 'ra(. ?ors than a## of that was th #in' rin' *i)ration insi$ L%c ! which ma$ h r f # as if sh &$ ) n # ctroc%t $. It s m $ #ik an t rnit(! )%t it #ast $ for fi* ! ma() t n

s con$sB no%'h tim for L%c ! 0am! an$ 4ani # to fa## to th $%st( woo$ n f#oor of th #i)rar( with a th%$. Th n th tr m)#in' sto"" $ an$ th wor#$ 'r w $ ath#( 8%i t. E?hat th h ##HG Arrian "ick $ h rs #f %" off th f#oor. E4i$ w st " thro%'h to 0a#ifornia witho%t m( know# $' H No on to#$ m th r w r fa%#t #in s in 2 or'iaFG 0am "%## $ a #on' shar$ of '#ass from his for arm. L%c 'as" $ as )ri'ht r $ )#oo$ trai# $ $own his #)ow! )%t his fac show $ no si'n that h was in "ain. EThat wasn&t an arth8%ak . That was a s ismic shift in tim .G EA whatHG L%c ask $. ETh first of man(.G 4ani # #ook $ o%t th Aa'' $ win$ow! watchin' a whit c%m%#%s c#o%$ ro## across th now7)#% sk(. ETh c#os r L%cif r ' ts! th stron' r th (&## ) com .G 5 '#anc $ at 0am! who no$$ $. ETick7tock! " o"# !G 0am sai$. ETim &s r%nnin' o%t. ? n $ to f#(.G

@ISIT FALLENBOOKS.0OM FOR T5E LATEST FALLEN NE?S.

ED0ERPT 0OPYRI25T , -./- BY TIN4ERBOD BOOKS! LL0 AN4 LAUREN KATE. PUBLIS5E4 BY 4ELA0ORTE PRESS! AN IMPRINT OF RAN4OM 5OUSE 05IL4REN&S BOOKS! A 4I@ISION OF RAN4OM 5OUSE! IN0.! NE? YORK.

LAUREN KATE is th int rnationa##( ) sts ##in' a%thor of Th B tra(a# of Nata#i 5ar'ro* an$ th Fa## n no* #s9 Fa## n! Torm nt! Passion ! an$ th forthcomin' Ra"t%r .
5 r )ooks ha* ) n trans#at $ into mor than thirt( #an'%a' s. Sh #i* s in Los An' # s with h r h%s)an$. Yo% can *isit h r on#in at9 #a%r nkat )ooks.n t.