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The wizard rushed toward a shadow along the dark road. It slithered away quickly, similar to the movement of a gigantic python. Within only a few steps, the wizard had lost sight of the spying animal. Orla and Lorcan caught up with him.
“We’ve lost it. What was it?” Orla asked.
“A python,” the wizard answered.
“Lizard, python . . . what’ll be next?” Lorcan muttered. The wizard shook his head and turned back toward the house. Lorcan stopped him on his way. “Come on, we have to do better than this. We can help you. Tell us what you need. If we leave here and the Yakuz attack you, what are you going to do?”
The old man stared at Lorcan. “I’ll take the secrets to my grave.”
“That won’t save people’s lives. I can guarantee you that we can take the key to a very safe place. No one on Ea
