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"Why would you want a iance?" I turn and look Fitchner dead in the eye "Such a ustus abandoned you before you abandoned hihter saw it even if you don’t I will not abandon you Ask ive a chance to those who stand apart Join at ht"

"I around "I am no trophy"

I stalk away

"If I can’t have you, no one can"

Then they coh the door Each a foot taller than I Each garbed in purple and black and carrying pulseAxes and pulseBlades Their faces hide behind bonelike rown in the arctic poles of Earth and Mars stare out atblack, like oil I pullwar chant ruod

"Go on Sing to your gods" I twirl my razor "I’ll send you to meet them"

"Reaper, please stop," Lysander calls loudly I turn to find hi toward me, hands splayed plaintively His coat is siht

His voice floats Trembles like a delicate bird’s

"I have watched all your videos, Reaper Six, maybe seven times Even the Academy My tutors believe you are the closest man to the Iron Golds since Lorn au Arcos, the Stoneside"

That’s when I realize why he’s looked so nervous I alh I’m this little bastard’s boyhood hero

"We need not see you die tonight Could you not find a home here as you found with Sevro? With Roque and Tactus, and Pax, the Howlers, and all your great warriors? We have warriors too You could lead theht, then you die because you hteousness puts you beyond randmother’s power"

"It does," I say

"Reaper, there is no place beyond her power"

This is how it happens They give them heroes They raise therow intohand?

"He wanted to see you," the Sovereign says "I told hiend never matches fact Better not to meet your heroes"

"And what do you think?" I ask little Lysander

"It all depends on your next choice," he says delicately