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"B-but both of us, together? You h two hundred and fifty pounds"

"Look at the others," he said Tierney alking on the rope railing - and taunting her

She narrowed her eyes "Did he he didn't just call me a skirt?"

"That he did"

She exhaled as if defeated "Peer pressure alasup at Bowe, she asked, "If I walk across the bridge by ht behind you"

"Really close," she said, then added in a rush, "but don't stand on the same board as me"

"Aye, noted Now doona look down Keep your eyes on Rydstroave a fir "I c-can do this No looking down"

She was fear-stricken, her pupils like saucers and her hands shaking on the rope, but she still put one wee boot out onto the bridge He'd known she was a brave lass, but when she took her first step, he wanted to hoith pride Instead he said, "Was thinkin' Maybe Lorekind would like you witches better if you were less mercenary"

"We areback

"I ken that, but must you be?"

"For a thousand years, the House has been filled withthat people would like Lykae better if they were less wolfy And letI'uess you've ritted teeth, she demanded, "Why would you say that? And don't call ine you've been raking it in with your s the way you do Does your coven have a oadYou're already halfway done"

"Tricksy, damned wolf - "

Birds shot froe

Moe froze in surprise except for Boho hooked his arods! MacRieve?" she whispered in a treick, as if in reflex

"I' had stilled "It's over Do you hear the forest quieting - "

Another rus seeht "No, no, Mari, I've got you Coo back the sao"

She shook her head wildly, her eyes o - I doona want to hurt your hands"

A sudden surge of pressure built in the air When he jerked his head up, he met eyes with Rydstrom, who had his brows drawn

"Duck!" Rydstrom bellowed and Bowe just yanked Mariketa down before a boulder dropped directly over their heads The force of it punched into the bridge, sending it rippling like a whip before rupturing it

Looping his hand in the rope and locking his ar like a penduluht for the sheer rock face