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I clasped his hand and suppressed a cringe at the creepy feel of his bony fingers wrapped around mine "I wish I could say the same"

He kept hold of e to block his invasive scan For the last fifteen days, I hadn’t needed another shot of bloodpower, I extended the ti to Galen, I couldn’t avoid it altogether I sensed things would change And not for the better

Walsh patted my hand with his free one "Your unique powers have fascinatedthem with you I’ the hot season, there’s a cool breeze froling and back-stabbing It’s paradise"

He finally released ht there "She’s healthy and strong A little old We should breed her right away But all in all a nice addition to our faaped at hiht out," Galen ordered

"Penny, fetch our new sister soestured for me to precede her, and shut the door behind us

"What would you like?" she asked ave round, and she kept s the fabric of her dull off-white tunic over her stomach

"Water is fine," I said

Relieved, she rushed off I pressed my ear to the door They talked about the black diaers Since I already knew greed was afactor for Galen and Walsh, I wasn’t sure what I had been hoping to overhear The topic changed to me and I strained

"How soon until she’s yours?" Walsh asked Galen

"Not long She has a soft spot for others"

"Then finish it She’s dangerous right now House her in the brig until we can trust her"

Footsteps sounded and I backed away from the door

Galen was amused "Any questions?"

"What did you mean by I have ‘a soft spot’?" I asked

"You run to everyone’s rescue I’ child Coive you a tour"

I wondered when he had been here before as I trailed after hi wooden building re the side open to the beach, workers wielded boxes with bottolanced at us Using handheld spades, they filled the box with sand and then held it in the water flowing through a chute The water washed away the sand, but left the rocks behind After inspecting each black stone, a worker placed it in another box or tossed it onto a pile