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. Extremely, he nodded. That was a rather nicecarriage you had out there. What? Scelestus asked, confused by his changeof topic. Oh, yes.It s nice. I d like to get myself a carriage like that, he wenton. I don t think I ve had one that spacious before. It is roomy, Scelestus allowed.They reached the landing, and the man directed herto go into the room at the bottom of the stairs.Shesmiled at him as she went inside, expecting to findValefor.Instead, it was an empty room, with nothingbut a table and few pots and pans around. What is this? Scelestus turned back to face theman, and he closed the door behind him when hecame in.He leaned up against it, locking it behind hisback. Where is Valefor? He s attending to some business, he explained. So I thought we could use the time to get to knoweach other. I have no business with you. Scelestusstraightened and pressed her lips into a thin line.She d come here unprepared for a fight, and all herpotions and her wand were with Jinn. I think you do. The man stepped away from thedoor, smiling wider at her. I m Invidia. He reachedinto his belt loop and pulled out a long, jagged knife. Iheard you wanted to take my life, so I thought I wouldrepay the favor.Scelestus opened her mouth and began to scream,but nobody could hear her inside Valefor s lair.21Wick grabbed Lily s hand, trying to pull her back awayfrom Lux, and Lux stepped in front of her, betweenthem and Ira.Ira had snuck up on them, coming fromthe opposite direction that Gula, Aeterna, Edgar, andAddonexus had left in. Ira, you don t want to hurt her, Lux reminded himand stepped closer to him. No, I think I do. Ira smiled at him, the expressionlooking rather unpleasant on his stony face. Valeforwants her to suffer, to see what life would be likeagainst him.I can do whatever I want with her, as longas I keep her alive. As for you, Ira continued, stepping closer to Lux. Ihave direct orders to kill you. Lux! Lily yelled behind him, and she tried to run tohis side, but Wick held her back. Wick, get her out of here! Lux shouted.Wick was already trying to do that, but Lily foughther.She grabbed onto Lux s arm, but he wouldn t lookback at her.He had to keep his focus on Ira.Stillhanging onto Lily, Wick came up behind Lux, so closeto him she was nearly touching his back.She took herwand out of her satchel and slid it in the back of hispants, all without Ira seeing. Good luck, she whispered, then she yanked Lily sarm. Lux! Lily yelled again, but Wick pulled her on. He ll fight better without you distracting him! Wicktold her, and that was true enough, so Lily relented alittle to being dragged away.She stared back overher shoulder, watching Lux face down Ira until Wicktook her around a corner, and she couldn t see themanymore.Ira barely seemed to notice that Lily had run off, nordid he seem to care that she did.He knew that the lairwas a maze, and it would be nearly impossible for herand Wick to find their way out.Lux knew that too, butat the moment, he didn t care if they found their wayout.He just wanted them away from Ira. I m actually glad that I didn t kill you earlier, Ira saidas he and Lux faced off, moving in a slow circlearound each other. I can really savor it this time,without that girl screaming in my ear.It was good ofyou to send her away. You know me, Lux smirked. I ve always been athoughtful guy.After their fight earlier, Lux knew he couldn t beat Irahand-to-hand.Ira was made of granite, and Lux sbody was more like pulverized meat at this point.Towin, he d have to come up with something better, buthe didn t know what that would be.Wick s wand poked him in his back, but he didn tknow how much good that would do.Still, Wick hadleft it with him for a reason, and it would work betterthan nothing.Ira threw a punch at Lux, and he dove out of theway, narrowly missing one of Ira s rock-hard fists inhis jaw.Ira laughed at that, a deep guffaw, and thenhe swung again.Lux darted away, just barely avoidingthe hit again. So we re going to dance, are we? Ira asked.Even though he was still smiling, Lux could see hispatience was dwindling.One or two swings more, andIra would go after him with all he had.Lux wouldn tstand a chance against that.He had to make a movefirst.In one smooth move, Lux reached behind his backand pulled out the wand.The unicorn horn feltstrangely heavy in his hand.He pointed it right at Ira schest, and for a moment, Ira looked startled. What is that you have there? Ira squinted at it, as ifhe really didn t understand what he was seeing. A powerful wand. Lux kept his arm straight eventhough it wanted to shake. Leave now, and I won tuse it against you.But if you take another step, I ll beforced to destroy you. I ll believe that when I see it, Ira said, but he didn tmove.Not at first anyway.Then Ira moved quickly at Lux,stopping short.It was a fake-out charge meant tostartle Lux, and it did just that.Lux flicked the wand, but nothing happened.Irastared at him, waiting for something, so Lux shook it.Still nothing happened, and Ira threw back his headand laughed.Of course the wand wouldn t work for him.It was aunicorn horn, and Lux was a peccati with no training insorcery
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