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"Confronting e didn’t look too thrilled about that

Dad, though, seized on the idea "This is definitely soet snacks in the cafeteria Healthy snacks!"

"Absolutely," Verlaine said, shepherding them both out the door "M shut, both Mateo and Nadia burst out laughing "How does she do that?" Nadia said

"No idea" But already Mateo’s attention had returned to Nadia, and to whatever witchcraft had brought him here "Nadia--what happened? How did you save ether in a thin line for a etting So you wouldn’t remember what you’d learned about her Of course, she didn’t know you were a Steadfast You boosted the power of the spell, and basically--you forgot everything Your body forgot how to live It was dangerous, way more than she er hadn’t really tried to kill hiiven him his first haircut, back in the days when he was so little he’d thought it would hurt "But youto try," Nadia said, "but I didn’t get the chance The spell was lifted as soon as I reached you"

"How?"

But he knew He knew even before Nadia said her na to destroy hiry he wanted to stalk out of the hospital right now, go straight to Elizabeth’s house, and demand the answers

He wanted to shake her by the shoulders until her chestnut curls tumbled around her blank, beautiful face Wanted to screas Why did you curse me? Why did you make me believe you were my friend? Why did you do all that and then save eto slow his breathing If a doctor ca another "seizure" and he’d be stuck in here for another day

"Hey" Nadia put her hand on his shoulder, but he was so angry he couldn’t even appreciate the touch "Are you all right?"

"Yeah I uess I’m fine"

Mateo kneouldn’t have to say the rest

Nadia’s hand slowly slid froed herself "I’m sorry"

"It’s not your fault," he said absently