Page 102 (1/2)

Joe lurches forward, as if falling out of a trance He rasp, but Simon commands hiet one of these boys to tear that Coive it to ht be irls? You do as Silossy weapon from his belt--"or you’re out"

"Gun!" Lexie shrieks She tries to flee to the corner of the roo at her easel It’s as if the Oracle isn’t even conscious that we are still here

"Not so fast," Si Lexie "I think we have our first player What’s your na even smaller than she looks

"Your name!"

"L-Lexie"

"Siun "It’s okay I only bite if you don’t listen to me" Unlike Daphne, Lexie is unable to resists his persuasive orders and goes to hiood Now take this" He places the gun into her shaking hands, wraps theer, positioning her ar it at Joe

Chapter fifty-four

DAPHNE

"Si down her face

"No," I say to Mr Fitzgerald--or Simon, rather "Don’t do this"

"No, Daphne Give me the Compass and come with me to rendezvous with the Skylords, and we can avoid this e resonance rattles through his voice when he gives his requests It per ive in

"Don’t do it, Daphne," Haden says I can see hi to break free fro from his body

I shake my head I don’t knohat it allis supposed to do, and I had sure been reluctant to take it from the Oracle--but the moed there Like it belongs toit aould be as iet to play our little gas I ive you until the count of ten to decide to listen to oing to shoot your father"

I clutch the Co froive it to him, but I can’t let hihtly I can’t break free from both of them Deep, low notes of fear and panic fill the room, from five people unable to move