and tugged at the bottom of her shirt. She looked down, and the girl opened out her palm. To Nathaniel’s relief, he saw a small, cylindrical key.

Elizabeth took it and set about unlocking Ashidi’s collar.

“Do not worry,” Mashuwa said as she delicately parted the collar’s two halves. “I will take her to the temple.”

She tossed the collar aside, and examined Ashidi’s neck in detail.

Annyka stepped forwards and held out an open palm, asking for the key. Elizabeth glanced at the hand then looked suspiciously at Annyka’s face.

“It’s alright, Liz,” Nathaniel said. “They’re with me.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” she said. “Are they witches?”

“Yes,” he replied, glancing at...

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