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"This, you’ve told ain"

A knock sounded, and relief glinted in his eyes Hadn’t liked the direction of the conversation? He moved to the door to speak to the intruder and Katarina sneaked an avocado slice

When he returned to her side, he held a large black-and-whitehad fleas andring

She recognized him One of the strays from outside the chapel

"I know this boy can’t replace the others," Baden said, "but he clearly needs an advocate He showed up on our doorstep"

What! No Absolutely not She’d lost so much already; she couldn’t bear to lose more "Take him to the nearest shelter They’ll check for a microchip If he doesn’t have one, they’ll put up posts to find his owners"

The wiggling dog growled at Baden, who shifted fro tofurther, and he snapped and snarled, baring the sharpest set of teeth she’d ever seen

"Katarina--"

"No" Too raw and ragged to offer anyaway

She set the tray on the floor, no longer hungry, and drew the covers over her head

When he returned, Baden settled beside her and draped a glove-covered arh, she fell into another peaceful rest--

Only to aith a jolt as he muttered, "Kill Kill!"

She stiffened He wanted to kill her? She scraht trickled over him His eyes were closed, his features pale and taut He was sleep talking?

"Shhh You don’t need to kill anyone," she told him softly

"Threatstoo many threats" There was a husky quality to his voice, one she’d never heard before "They can’t be allowed to live"

"Who dares to threaten you?"