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"You know that whatever you’ve done, Silk will retaliate," Cade said

"I do know"

"He’ll punish innocent people, unless your ht What if they are and they give away secrets?"

"Sacrifice for the cause is necessary" The professor’s voice had grown very quiet The light accentuated the crags and lines on his face "All involved know the dangers they face They will not betray us in the unlikely circumstance they are captured"

"And the innocents Silk will punish in their stead?"

"This is war, Cade In every war there is collateral daht she knew the professor, some new facet of him surfaced Every time she was lulled by his kindness and humor, she saw another side This one was cold, dispassionate One had to be willing to sacrifice for one’s ideals, but cold-bloodedly and willingly give up the lives of innocents? She averted her gaze, wondering how that made him any different from Silk or the emperor

"If Silk or his cohorts should ever learn our secrets," the professor continued, deadly calm, "you knohat to do"

"I do," Cade said

Hide and protect Arhys, Karigan thought As a Weapon, that would be his primary objective She studied his face His expression was both determined anddisturbed Was he as disturbed as she by the professor’s willingness to accept the deaths of innocents?

As if the world were once again daylit and sunny, the professor’s whole posture and deed, and he strode off before they could ask more questions "Come, you two," he called over his shoulder "We must have a look at Cade’s social calendar"

• • •

Back down in the library section of the second floor, the professor explained, his chair tilted back and his feet propped on his desk

"Silk has scored a point against us," he said "He has skillfully found a way to cut rave’s escort and chaperone"

"What did he do?" Cade asked