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"I told you she wasn’t good coroans, struggling to get up from the floor where he lies

"Nice of you to finally join us again," I say

He gives me a pointed look that quickly softens as he pats his chest, as if trying to force s He winces and closes his eyes, needing rest before trying to stand

Daphne checks on Joe "What happened?" he ain hi the Oracle She sets Briround and rushes toward the wo more than a crumpled pile of bloody bathrobe andthe hair fro noise slithers out fro to say the word Coot away," Daphne says frantically "That man stole the Coet the Compass back You will use it to seek the Key Only you can open the lock that guards it You are the Anoich …" Sarah winces and takes a panting, shallow breath as if she’s just run up several flights of stairs "Anoichtiri Your heart and soul will open the lock…" Her next breath is faint, hter of the Music" Her eyes roll back into her head and a faint sainst the hard floor A glittering blue light eale-force hips around us When it fades away, Sarah lies lirows dark, as if a large cloud is blotting out the sun In the dilow that reflects off the walls and s The origin of it comes from somewhere near Siround beside hiht, al Sarah "Where did it cos to Simon, or if the Motorcycle Man dropped it when he made his escape

I kneel next to Sirabsbeen torn open, his intestines spilling out of his gut "Elios," he whispers, blood trickling from his mouth Tears of pain strea?" Daphne asks

"He’s begging forI can do to save hi ed her

"You’re right," I say, placing my hand over Simon’s chest She turns away as if she knohat I ae until his grasp on my wrist falls away

After a moment, Daphne turns back toher hand toward me to help me stand

"I will be" I pick up the aers I catch it up, curling ers around it, and reach out to take her extended hand

But her hand is no longer there I look up to see why she’s pulled it away--but she’s gone, too Daphne has disappeared

Darkness and firelight have filled the common room No, not the common roos I blink several ti throne in front of olden breastplate sits upon it

I fall back to my knees I knohere I aain--in the confines of the Underrealm…