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and then began to fade from view. Ethan gazed back toward the center of the city, where smoke continued to billow into the night. Shouts echoed through the streets, punctuated occasionally by strident cheers. If anything, there was more commotion now than there had been earlier. He could guess who was behind these riots, and he knew that only trouble could come of them.
<strong>Chapter</strong> THREE The Dowsing Rod was owned and run by Kannice Lester, who had become the sole owner of the tavern several years ago, after her husband Rafe died. Kannice served decent ales at a reasonable price, but she was known throughout Boston for her stews, which most people, Ethan included, thought were the best in the city. From without, the Dowser looked clean and reputable. Kannice wouldn’t have had it any other way. She made it clear to all her guests—even Ethan—that she wouldn’t tolerate gambling or whoring or any other sort of mischief within the walls of her inn. “Leave it in the streets,” she always told them. “Or you won’t be welcome here again.”
Page 3 and 4: The author and publisher have provi
Page 7 and 8: Contents Title Page Dedication A Pl
Page 9 and 10: Historical Note Acknowledgments Tor
Page 11 and 12: light of day, but the sky over Bost
Page 13 and 14: and glinting off the dagger he carr
Page 15 and 16: “I was hired by Ezra Corbett to r
Page 17 and 18: the dead. Folter wouldn’t be able
Page 19 and 20: The pup gasped and doubled up. “W
Page 21 and 22: “I’ll give you one day, Daniel,
Page 23 and 24: jus’ … I wouldn’ tell anyone.
Page 25 and 26: Only two weeks before, such a rabbl
Page 27 and 28: He was a short, round man whose clo
Page 29 and 30: coins. Ethan tensed. “Is that so?
Page 31 and 32: felt the pulse of a spell, the air
Page 33 and 34: knew only of the mutiny and Ethan
Page 35 and 36: and trotted up to him. Shelly and P
Page 37 and 38: “Care t’ join us?” the man as
Page 39: At last, as he continued to walk up
Page 43 and 44: Ethan had to laugh. The evening mis
Page 45 and 46: “We’re paid through a few round
Page 47 and 48: only for an instant. “Is he … d
Page 49 and 50: He smiled, as did she. Then she loo
Page 51 and 52: Diver’s cheeks reddened. He was a
Page 53 and 54: can’t sell any of it the usual wa
Page 55 and 56: “I have for years. Why should it
Page 57 and 58: efore.” Diver got up again, eager
Page 59 and 60: a part of him would always long for
Page 61 and 62: “You say it went well with Corbet
Page 63 and 64: Kannice giggled. “I’m glad to h
Page 65 and 66: disgusted. “Not tha’ we know,
Page 67 and 68: Chapter FOUR Soon after the men lef
Page 69 and 70: Ethan could tell that Kannice was w
Page 71 and 72: He reached for his shirt. “All ri
Page 73 and 74: “You understand, sir, that I’m
Page 75 and 76: change at all. “It’s no’ my p
Page 77 and 78: The stranger looked genuinely surpr
Page 79 and 80: to me?” “I thought you weren’
Page 81 and 82: She straightened, her eyes meeting
Page 83 and 84: Church of England. Its congregation
Page 85 and 86: natural wood. Given the chapel’s
Page 87 and 88: still uncertain, and so when a figu
Page 89 and 90: dark hair. A powdered wig sat on th
Page 91 and 92:
“I understand,” Ethan said. “
Page 93 and 94:
“No.” “Perhaps she wasn’t m
Page 95 and 96:
don’t you? You just don’t want
Page 97 and 98:
“You can learn those things?”
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serene; she couldn’t have known w
Page 101 and 102:
murderer’s conjuring had struck h
Page 103 and 104:
ared his arm, and laid the blade ag
Page 105 and 106:
that.” Bett stared at the dead gi
Page 107 and 108:
me something more about the spell i
Page 109 and 110:
Ethan had thought, for at last Bett
Page 111 and 112:
He threw his hands wide. “I don
Page 113 and 114:
efore. What did you expect?” “I
Page 115 and 116:
half expected her to gloat at the a
Page 117 and 118:
She stopped at that and regarded hi
Page 119 and 120:
shirt, the sleeves of which he had
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told, the diminutive cooper worried
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Before he could clear his vision or
Page 125 and 126:
kindness. God knew they could be al
Page 127 and 128:
But her sex remained her greatest w
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safe. And by dint of having forged
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Ethan wanted to challenge her on th
Page 133 and 134:
not sure I’d tell you if I did, b
Page 135 and 136:
important clients and ruin my reput
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him. “But we both know that you
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position. His head spun a bit, but
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done before had impressed the old m
Page 143 and 144:
The cooper glanced doubtfully at th
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Uncle Reg appeared, took one look a
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those around it, and it was modest
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Even in the wealthiest households,
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Missus Berson, and your younger dau
Page 153 and 154:
“There weren’t any others, even
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probably wouldn’t be asking such
Page 157 and 158:
The merchant rubbed a hand over his
Page 159 and 160:
sensation some years back.” “It
Page 161 and 162:
woman in the city to be talking abo
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cheek. “It was oval,” she said
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“By Cyrus Derne,” Ethan said.
Page 167 and 168:
Chapter SEVEN Like the Bersons, the
Page 169 and 170:
off with a stronger sheriff and a c
Page 171 and 172:
head slowly, his expression grim.
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“Aye,” Ethan said, fighting to
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elaborate black cockades, and both
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“That’s fine, sir. Thank you. A
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overhead. “Occasionally, yes. I
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“Sir?” “Looking for betrayal
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had the chance. And to be honest I
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hope you’ll let me know.” “Of
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Berson and Derne, and even Sephira
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and her men charging at him. The gi
Page 191 and 192:
She didn’t walk quickly, and in t
Page 193 and 194:
ooch is all that matters. And I can
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illusion—or hers—for several mi
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the conjurer wasn’t using Ethan
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“Lux ex cruore evocatus!” Light
Page 201 and 202:
The minister looked away, gently to
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y the men who found him. Mister Tro
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“I doubt he or his family had any
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thinking about the boy, and how str
Page 209 and 210:
“Yes, you could,” Ethan said, k
Page 211 and 212:
asked. “Surely you could do for y
Page 213 and 214:
gasp from his lips. He sat still fo
Page 215 and 216:
Berson paying.” “Speaking of jo
Page 217 and 218:
“She seen you since…?” Diver
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so, Diver responded. “It’s Gren
Page 221 and 222:
courage he could find a way to keep
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Greenleaf hardly spared her a glanc
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doubled over, and the man drove his
Page 227 and 228:
Chapter NINE The sheriff and his me
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killed a rat behind the hovel and a
Page 231 and 232:
spot for a prison, set in the midst
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the stairs, Ethan thought he saw a
Page 235 and 236:
door behind him. Hutchinson faced E
Page 237 and 238:
“Yes, Your Honor,” Ethan said.
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who abused my family and me with su
Page 241 and 242:
Matthews?” he asked. “Yes, sir.
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you’ll have to go to Sephira Pryc
Page 245 and 246:
make it home without being seen. Th
Page 247 and 248:
hitting him full in the chest. Nap
Page 249 and 250:
Nap. “What does Sephira want with
Page 251 and 252:
“Yes.” The man smiled. “Tha
Page 253 and 254:
The man looked at him. “Yellow-ha
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Boston have t’ feel safe. They ha
Page 257 and 258:
Daniel’s body. “Tha’ could be
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that bloodied alley. Mercy is weakn
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done. Mother never catches herself
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learning that she had been widowed,
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having this small role in their liv
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“You get it now?” the boy deman
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“Sephira killed him because she k
Page 271 and 272:
“Why are you with him?” she ask
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memory lingered. When he dreamed of
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think they would be fine.” “But
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to the Dowser and see Kannice. He n
Page 279 and 280:
their first encounter. The girl mar
Page 281 and 282:
communicate through the girl, but a
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uildings. The breeze off the harbor
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murder.” “It is over, Kaille. A
Page 287 and 288:
Chapter ELEVEN By the time he reach
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the nearest pew. Leaning back, he c
Page 291 and 292:
“No. But another day would have h
Page 293 and 294:
Before Pell could respond, Ethan he
Page 295 and 296:
heavy-lidded eyes. He didn’t wait
Page 297 and 298:
Caner halted, as did Ethan. “I le
Page 299 and 300:
with dark purple bruises. Seeing Et
Page 301 and 302:
Ethan had finally finished his tale
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“That sounded stranger coming out
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eeches, one fist wrapped around Jen
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did all they could to avoid notice.
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always went to Janna. Ethan followe
Page 311 and 312:
toward the bar. “Well, you here,
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Ethan shook his head, knowing that
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he turned to look, it had vanished.
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dangerous extreme: killing spells.
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had stolen from a peddler. “It’
Page 321 and 322:
“You do that,” she said without
Page 323 and 324:
Chapter TWELVE Ethan stepped onto t
Page 325 and 326:
a casting would do anything, destro
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another explaining this to someone
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“You needed … you needed her
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daughter’s brooch and putting thi
Page 333 and 334:
etter than Sephira Pryce deserved.
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and austere bastard swords that mig
Page 337 and 338:
the room, Ethan could smell her per
Page 339 and 340:
inquiry, but he managed to stop him
Page 341 and 342:
comment away. She studied his face
Page 343 and 344:
“Answer the question.” “I fou
Page 345 and 346:
wouldn’t do for him to lose himse
Page 347 and 348:
“No, I haven’t.” She started
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listening.” She shook her head sl
Page 351 and 352:
nodded. The big man did as Ethan ha
Page 353 and 354:
hating him; as long as he insisted
Page 355 and 356:
olled barrels, and others worked in
Page 357 and 358:
paused to watch Ethan and his son,
Page 359 and 360:
“You told me that you had no idea
Page 361 and 362:
you, but later, when I told Abner,
Page 363 and 364:
had nothing to do with her or her m
Page 365 and 366:
watching, and Ethan thought they lo
Page 367 and 368:
me work.” He took a step, intendi
Page 369 and 370:
You find out what those spells did
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abroad in the city after dark if he
Page 373 and 374:
tavern. But no one stopped him or o
Page 375 and 376:
Chapter FOURTEEN Adams walked to wh
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“And this is Peter Darrow.” Oti
Page 379 and 380:
cast our lot with that charlatan th
Page 381 and 382:
he looked apoplectic. But it was Ad
Page 383 and 384:
his rabble inflicted upon Thomas Hu
Page 385 and 386:
need the support of laborers, wharf
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North Square. We had word that Mack
Page 389 and 390:
pulling the trigger already. “Go
Page 391 and 392:
“Hello, Ethan.” He knew that vo
Page 393 and 394:
throwing off enough heat to warm Et
Page 395 and 396:
instant, Ethan charged the first ma
Page 397 and 398:
But before Ethan could get to his f
Page 399 and 400:
them, conjured— The phrasing slow
Page 401 and 402:
with blood than I can with grass.
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that struck him dumb. He couldn’t
Page 405 and 406:
sheriff had apologized for meddling
Page 407 and 408:
Chapter FIFTEEN Conjurers in the Am
Page 409 and 410:
hearing what Greenleaf said, though
Page 411 and 412:
I have your blade please?” Ethan
Page 413 and 414:
Before long they reached the chapel
Page 415 and 416:
“Does the bullet wound hurt much?
Page 417 and 418:
Greenleaf shifted his weight from o
Page 419 and 420:
pointedly. He eyed Ethan again. “
Page 421 and 422:
Mister Caner and I just lied to She
Page 423 and 424:
The door opened onto a comfortable
Page 425 and 426:
Ethan stared at him, his mouth hang
Page 427 and 428:
me for asking.” “It’s all rig
Page 429 and 430:
of agreement between Thomas Hutchin
Page 431 and 432:
“Did you feel a spell?” Ethan a
Page 433 and 434:
freedom. And here he was, scared of
Page 435 and 436:
A few moments later, Kannice arrive
Page 437 and 438:
“Some.” A lot, actually. “I
Page 439 and 440:
himself hadn’t thought to ask. Ka
Page 441 and 442:
conjurer is after me.” “You’r
Page 443 and 444:
the blood draining from his face. A
Page 445 and 446:
“You didn’t listen,” Anna sai
Page 447 and 448:
daughter.” She shook her head.
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would shatter. Red-hot iron flowed
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cruore evocatum! Conjured from bloo
Page 453 and 454:
You’ll watch the boy die, and the
Page 455 and 456:
Strange, isn’t it? There should b
Page 457 and 458:
was sorry. The words caught in his
Page 459 and 460:
Ethan turned his attention back to
Page 461 and 462:
They should fit you. Get yourself c
Page 463 and 464:
“Who?” she asked, as if intent
Page 465 and 466:
He was sure she would object, that
Page 467 and 468:
Ethan and Elli shared a look. “Al
Page 469 and 470:
her was something else entirely.
Page 471 and 472:
stepped once more into the rain and
Page 473 and 474:
Nor was he done taking risks. He st
Page 475 and 476:
want to go home. So I thought I’d
Page 477 and 478:
ack, and get away myself, but … b
Page 479 and 480:
the conjurer broken through his war
Page 481 and 482:
His boots were still damp, but they
Page 483 and 484:
I’m safe?” “If I have to.”
Page 485 and 486:
As Ethan approached the Derne house
Page 487 and 488:
“He’s not afraid of you. No one
Page 489 and 490:
stepped aside, revealing the last p
Page 491 and 492:
Brower laughed. “Don’t be ridic
Page 493 and 494:
stock in this, thinking it the bitt
Page 495 and 496:
know tha’—” “I’m investig
Page 497 and 498:
Mackintosh’s swagger fell away. H
Page 499 and 500:
interests at heart, but he’s done
Page 501 and 502:
ut to dissemble, at least until he
Page 503 and 504:
had no doubt that they could convin
Page 505 and 506:
Chapter EIGHTEEN As much as he didn
Page 507 and 508:
seemed agitated. Ethan expected the
Page 509 and 510:
“As close to a daughter as I’m
Page 511 and 512:
so simple that Ethan laughed out lo
Page 513 and 514:
light…” Ethan shook his head.
Page 515 and 516:
of him. But he couldn’t remember
Page 517 and 518:
“What did you say?” the rector
Page 519 and 520:
asked. “I believe so. This girl,
Page 521 and 522:
Mister Kaille,” he finally said,
Page 523 and 524:
Chapter NINETEEN Ethan was more eag
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the middle of the afternoon the wha
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usiness with the merchant? He watch
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At the north end of Ship Street, th
Page 531 and 532:
have said that this was a finding s
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hear the old man hiss, like a feral
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as a prisoner had inured him to pai
Page 537 and 538:
imagine before you die!” He had m
Page 539 and 540:
across the lane, heading north, awa
Page 541 and 542:
crashing heavily on his maimed hand
Page 543 and 544:
Chapter TWENTY Consciousness came t
Page 545 and 546:
them that he could use to fuel a sp
Page 547 and 548:
Ethan nodded. Anna glanced to the s
Page 549 and 550:
would go to all that trouble. Anna
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Here is a man I could work with, a
Page 553 and 554:
naïve to a fault, and Otis is wors
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streets near Mackintosh’s mob. Sh
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actually. You’ll hardly feel a th
Page 559 and 560:
was rough enough to have scraped hi
Page 561 and 562:
hired to do this. What he wants or
Page 563 and 564:
Chapter TWENTY-ONE Darrow came forw
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Mackintosh’s frown deepened. “Y
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ing. “I think he’s tryin’ t
Page 569 and 570:
Ethan saw the image of Stephen Gree
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him! Bu’ you haven’ touched him
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had sent to keep watch on Darrow; S
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all of this unfold. Now, though, he
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vanished from Darrow’s face, leav
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alarmed. “You shouldn’t have co
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Then he looked at Darrow, and there
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more real than any he had conjured
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three men addled. It also hammered
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cordwainer backed away from the man
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“Do you understand now?” he ask
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head leaned to one side, his neck b
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thoughts clouded by the throbbing p
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“He killed Jennifer Berson and th
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toy.” “We didn’t know, Ebenez
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talents to his shattered knee. By t
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Mackintosh glared. “Wha’s tha
Page 603 and 604:
will always be welcomed as a friend
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“His body. He was a witch, wasn
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walk, shoulders hunched, hands in t
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His anger began to sluice away, tho
Page 611 and 612:
“Peter Darrow.” “Darrow?” D
Page 613 and 614:
Berson had just turned to close the
Page 615 and 616:
whatever you pay me should reflect
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Chapter TWENTY-FOUR As Ethan neared
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happened. I found him out front thi
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stopping him from going this day, r
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where Hutchinson sat alone, gazing
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Hutchinson again. “He was what so
Page 627 and 628:
purposes by dark means.” Hutchins
Page 629 and 630:
“Is it beautiful?” Kannice aske
Page 631 and 632:
friend?” she repeated. “I’ll
Page 633 and 634:
need to be more careful?” Ethan a
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Historical Note Historical fiction
Page 637 and 638:
Acknowledgments I’ve written hist
Page 639 and 640:
Stephen Leigh, Lynn Flewelling, Car
Page 641 and 642:
TOR BOOKS BY D. B. JACKSON Thieftak
Page 643 and 644:
This is a work of fiction. All of t
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