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The members of the Avylyn Clan tended toward the dra just as they did in everything else After a year of living in the household, Sariana was accusto attire and volatile ways She had even grown quite fond of the but they were also rather fascinating, just like everything else here in the western provinces

The hts One booted foot shifted slightly on the marble

"Excellent," Sariana said as she looked down at the man sprawled on the floor "We're in luck He's not dead" She kept her voice light and cheerful, trying not to show the relief she felt Never let the client know you were nervous was one of her mottoes She sent up a silent thank you to whatever unseen forces looked out for business consultants At least she wasn't going to have to worry about explaining a dead man to the authorities Her pal

"Might be better for all of us if he were dead," Bryer Avylyn said gloory when he wakes up"

Sariana glared at the striking scion of the Avylyn Clan "Don't be ridiculous What happened was an accident I'm sure this Shield person, or whatever it is you call him, will understand that e explain what happened How could we know that your Aunt Perla's recipe for awould have this reaction on hiht trance It was supposed to make him friendly and amenable It wasn't supposed to make him pass out"

Bryer lifted his head to meet Sariana's eyes A lock of his brilliantly blond hair fell across his brow Sariana knew that the chared itself had been precisely calculated by a very fashionable hairdresser The style highlighted Bryer's dark eyes, er

"Sariana, you don't understand," Bryer infor "Shields are not known for their understanding and patience You don't seeerous He was raised on the frontier Heto take kindly to e have done I' you we should never have tried this trick We should never have listened to you in the first place"

Bryer'sblack stone table spoke firh, Bryer This was a fa a Shield to help us was our only chance"

Indina Avylyn glanced at her husband who sat at the opposite end of the seht, Jasso? You yourself said it We're all in this together We had no choice We h with this wild plan for the sake of the Clan of Avyiyn"

Sariana couldn't help but ad quality Lady Avylyn had infused into those last words Lady Avylyn had descended froh she had married into a jewelsins

Lord Jasso Avylyn shook his graying blond head uncertainly as he stared down at the man sprawled on the floor "I fear we have no choice now but to go forith Sariana's plan We can only hope this Shield doesn't wake up in such a towering rage that he decides to kill us all before he even listens to our proposal"