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Two array-and-maroon uniforms stood stiffly at attention outside of the plane, but Tessa didn’t find the as the plane itself Everyone in this city walked around with guns; she’d seen theed fro;torian Koskinen," Justin called, giving her a "

"Dr March," she returned, crossing her arms Her expression was calm and unreadable, like a ain"

Justin stopped and put his ar the truth?"

"No," said Tessa

"I didn’t think so" More loudly, he said, "Tessa, this is Mae Mae, Tessa She’s the prodigy I told you about She’s super good at this stuff Alood as ood as you?" asked Mae dryly "Is that even possible?"

Tessa regarded Mae with apprehension She wasn’t in unifornity Justin had spent a considerable a as he analyzed how a Nordic wohest ranks Occasionally, he’d gotten sidetracked and expounded on her hair and eyes Tessa, however, had stopped paying attention to his discourse after he’d said the word "prætorian" Prætorians The monsters of the RUNA She’d heard about them, of course Everyone had, and even if this blond wo ht test that observation She siave a polite nod as she walked up the steps

The wry expression Mae had reserved for Justin transforlad to meet you You’ll love the RUNA"

Tessa blushed and nodded again, overwhellaered on the ground and dropped his cigarette onto the tar it out "The only thing I’llthat good back hoood" He shifted hison his shoulder and headed up after Tessa It was his only luggage, since he’d clai back Tessa was starting to wonder why he’d ever co the truth about me," she murmured to Justin, once they’d stepped inside the plane

"About what?" he asked

"About being glad to ation responded with varying degrees of politeness and directed her and Justin toward the back of the jet Along with the soldiers and Internal Security officials, there was a young woman named Candace who appeared to be soher-ups spoke to her When she looked at Justin, however, Candace would flush and smile

Tessa had seen women behave that way near hiuy, even handsome ones Her ood-looking, she’d said Make sure you marry a plain man, Tessa They won’t stray, and they’ll never have power over you Tessa wondered what that said about her father

Nooff into a new life," she found flying absolutely terrifying froround The jet’s interior felt too s air currents, it seeines would keep theround at any moment She wished now that she’d worn her rosary but had packed it at the last ion were no secret, and she hadn’t wanted to attract attention

She squeezed her eyes shut and felt Justin put his hand over hers "Breathe, sweetie You’re okay This is co rare co to take?"

"Nine hours We’ll probably stop to refuel once we’re back in RUNA airspace This is a suess I wasn’t worth first class" His eyes drifted forward, focusing on Mae as she spoke to the orange-haired woain and tried to distract herself from her imminent death "Why are you obsessed with her?"

"She’s my boss My life is in her hands"

"Not her Mae"

"I suppose there’s an argument that my life’s in her hands too But I’m not obsessed I don’t even know her" His tone was too casual, even for hiht no one saw Mae never looked at Justin, and it seemed to Tessa that the avoidance was too adamant to be a coincidence

Tessa eventually tried to sleep, with no luck She wasn’t sure how much time passed before she heard Mae join them Each minute felt like a lifetireat effort, Tessa opened her eyes Mae atching her, her face kind

"Do you need anything?"

"I could use a drink," Justin said

Mae turned toward hi to you"

She called for solass "Thank you," Justin told her It was only tords, but the way he smiled completely bedazzled Candace She tripped as she returned to her seat

Mae shot Candace a look of conte Tessa feel even more backward than when she’d first boarded She’d been an idiot to think she could slip off to this glittering world that her father dreaht, and this plane ride was probably so to watch or read?" Mae asked her

Tessa shook her head "I’ve got a reader"