On impulse, I cleared my throat. “I want to thank you,” I said. “For what you did—in supporting me back there. And for going after George. I’m surprised, actually. After seeing you hightail it from the rats in Bickerstaff’s house, I wouldn’t have guessed you’d have the guts to do any of that.” Kipps gave a mirthless laugh; I waited for the inevitable acid retort. Instead, after a pause, he said quietly, “It’s easy to judge me now. But you don’t yet know what it’s like, the day your Talent starts to fade. You’ll still sense ghosts—you’ll know they’re present. But you won’t see or hear them
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