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Elend dropped beside her, then fell into a crouch, asking no questions She s better He watched thefor

"He's following us," Vin whispered

"Yomen's Mistborn?" Elend asked

Vin nodded

"Where?" he asked

"Three houses back," Vin said

Elend squinted, and she felt one of his Allo tin

"That luh," Vin said

"So"

"So, he knows I've spotted hiht noe're studying one another"

Elend reached to his belt, slipping out an obsidian knife

"He won't attack," Vin said

"How do you know?"

"Because," Vin said "When he intends to kill us, he'll try to do it when you and I aren't together--or e're sleeping"

That seemed toup all night lately?"

Vin nodded Forcing Elend to sleep alone was a s hi us, Yoht of your own party? Th1at would be quite the feat It didn't seem likely; but still, Vin was suspicious She had a habit of suspecting everyone of being Mistborn She still thought it was healthy, even if she had been wrong"Once we get into the party, we shouldn't have to worry about hi their path to the Canton of Resource

The plan is simple, Elend had said just hours before I'll confront Yo around to gawk At that point, you sneak away and see if you can find your way to the storage chamber

It really was a simple plan--the best ones usually were If Elend confronted Youards on hi Vin slip out She'd have to move quickly and quietly, and would probably have to eli an alarm Yet, this appeared to be the only way in Not only was Youarded, but his Mistborn was good The man had detected her every other ti at a distance, hisher that he could raise the alarm in a heartbeat

Their best chance was the ball Yomen's defenses, and his Mistborn, would be focused on theirhi carriages to stop and guards to turn in shock Vin glanced to Elend in the misty darkness "Elend," she said quietly, "I need you to pro"

He frowned "What?"

"Eventually, I'et spotted," Vin said "I'll sneak as best I can, but I doubt we'll get through this without creating a disturbance When it hits, I want you to get out"

"Vin, I can't do that I have to--"

"No," Vin said sharply "Elend, you don't have to help ood at this as I am I can take care of myself, but I need to know that I won't have to take care of you, too If anything goes wrong--or, if things go right, but the building goes on alert--I want you to get out I'll et into trouble?" Elend said

Vin smiled "Trusther was one thing he could obviously do--so he'd always done

The two strode forward It felt very strange to be attending a ball at a Ministry building Vin was accustolass and ornaenerally austere--and this one was no exception It was only a single story tall, and it had sharp, flat walls with very shts illue tapestry banners fluttered against the stonework, the only indication that this night was special was the cluster of carriages and nobility in the courtyard The soldiers in the area had noted Vin and Elend, but e--or even slow--the--both nobility and soldiers--were interested, but few of them looked surprised Vin and Elend were expected Vin's hunch about that was confirmed when she uards at the door watched suspiciously, but let her and Elend pass