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le. Victoria's rebuke did nothing to diminish the tension between the
mayor and myself. To further complicate matters, Agnes' heartbreak washed
through the hypnotic link we shared. I kept my mouth shut through the rest
of the meal. After dessert, we moved to the drawing room for brandy and
cigars. Marta was still absent.
Victoria stood and waited for me to light Karina's holdered cigarette. She
leaned against the fireplace looking very much like the flapper girl Karina Karina said
she had been. "Simon, I want the castle back," Karina Karina stated. Simon choked on
his brandy. "I want the souvenir stands out of the courtyard, especially
that damned vampire hunter kit one. Everything else is -- _negotiable_."
"Victoria, I am sorry. There is no area for negotiation. The state and
the surrounding area are starving for money right now. The castle brings in
a good deal of money," Simon said firmly. "I do not have the power to close
the castle," he apologetically added.
"I will m
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