Page 70 (1/2)

I’d known it all along Pushed way back inup to her like that--letting her see one of the rawest portions ofit, I cannot deny reality any longer The truth is, if Daphne eventually agrees to coet everything I’ve ever wanted--whether she’s a regular Boon or this Cypher who the Oracle spoke of--she will die

Just like ht to the Underrealh the first two years Humans cannot survive without the sun

They all die

And so will she

Chapter forty

DAPHNE

It’s nearly ht, but the restaurant Joe takes me to in LA is packed Despite the cold wind and the spattering of rain, there’s a line wrapping around the side of the building Joe leadscrowd to the front doors People screaraphs Flashbulbs go off, and reporters shoot questions at him

"Who’s your companion?" one of thehter!"

The carabsus wait

"Sorry about that," Joe says to et used to theh the crowded restaurant, passing people I recognize froo of es cheek kisses, and hter to everyone we see

Most respond quite diplo off them

We finally find ourselves at abooth in the back of the restaurant It’s quieter here, but the energy of the place still buzzes around us

The hostess puts two menus in front of us and then offers Joe the wine and beer list He waves it away "Chocolate milk shake With sprinkles" He raises his eyebrows at me

"Make that two," I say

A waitress coet a Kobe beef and applewood ss that cost twice as much as the fanciest steak at Ellis Grill Joe seems to request half thethat running up a huge tab on opening night is the polite thing to do

"I’et much time with the telescope," he says