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"Apart?" Quinn’s killer frowns and tilts her head so I can see the dueling scars on the right of her neck Her cat eyes scan the woods for signs of a trap "There is no such thing"

"I was as deceived as you, Aja!" Lorn calls "Darro you were here I don’t kno But I am not your enemy I want only to be left alone"

"That was never a choice!" Aja calls "You know this better than anyone You are with us or you are against us, Lorn"

"Aja No I have no part in this! None!"

"The strong always have a part," I mutter

"I will not have ry stare "I have no quarrel with either of you I am a man of peace now"

"Then why is your blade out?" Aja smiles "Do what you know Come down and speak, teacher We should not shout! Isn’t that what you said when I used to raise rowls beside us It’s larger than four horses I wonder what those talons would do against their armor

"Her ships are lost," I whisper to Lorn "What would Octavia have her do?"

"Kill us For spite"

I lower my voice "Then you have no choice"

"So it would seeather dirt in my hand She has studied me She knohat this must mean And she must wonder what plan I have Why I’ve come alone If I really set an ambush in the sky, wouldn’t I set one below? I’ure steps through the gate to join Aja He’s rangy Darker skin than mine A smirk on his bored, patrician face Tactus All in Praetorian ar the sky apprehensively before bea of traitors," I shout "Hello, Tactus Pretty aroodman!" Tactus bellows, and throws up the crux "Where’s Sevro?" He leans in to tell Aja soain to the trees around Her men condense in defensive for is awry Their aegis shields activate, glittering over arms

Lorn closes his eyes and lets his left hand into the air, feeling the whipping of the storainst the Stained"

"No They’re all e from the sea beyond the castle Water drips froh walls, arolden lion has been painted on each breastplate The gold winks as lightning flashes They land silently around us

"My stormsons," I say to Lorn Twenty new recruits have come from the families of the Howlers and the Telemanus ranks Sevro held tryouts I hear it was a bloody bit of fun Snakes, alcohol and mushrooms were involved That’s all they let ?" Tactus calls His voice is all jest, but he looks to the sky anxiously again "Least it’s better than a horse’s belly this ti knife, the one he used to take scalps with Harpy years ago It’s a curved custoroin and points to Tactus His eyes flick to Aja