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“He sees it all. Hears it all,” another boys adds.

Ten points to Slytherin for the creepy answer.

“Where can I find him?” I ask.

“He’s already here,” says a boy with raven black hair.

My hackles rise at that.

“Can I meet him?”

As soon as I ask the question, the room darkens. The Bargainer doesn’t say anything, but it’s clear that he’s not happy about my question.

“Yesssss …” This comes from one of thecradleson the far corner of the room. “But you cannot bringhimalong.” The children’s eyes dart to Des.

“Our father will like you,” a redheaded girl says.

“He already does,” another adds.

“He likes pretty things.”

“Likes to break them.”

Again, that chilling breath is breathing down my neck as the children speak, their unwavering gazes fixed on me.

Des’s shadows circle my lower legs protectively. “Callie.”

The children tighten their circle around me, throwing glances over their shoulders at the Bargainer.

Earlier, I’d worried they wouldn’t talk. Now I’m worried that they might be too fond of me.

“Do you know where I can find him?” I ask.

“He will find you—”

“He always finds the ones he wants—”

“He’s already begun the hunt—”

“The hunt?” I shouldn’t ask. I feel like coming to the Otherworld has exposed me in exactly the way I feared it would.

“He’ll make you his, just like our mothers.”

Alright, I’m done.

“I have to leave,” I say.

Across the room, Des begins moving towards me, clearly on the same page.

“Not yet,” the children beg, closing in on me, their hands grabbing my dress.

“Stay with us forever.”

“I can’t,” I say, “but I can come back.”

“Stay,” one of the oldest boys growls.

“She said no.” Des’s sharp voice cuts through the room.