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"She did"

"And will she be talking to"--I choosethe escape? Officers, guards--?"

Maven shakes his head "Whoever did this did it well I helped her with the questioning and directed her to anyone of suspicion" Directed Directed away froh of relief and squeeze his ar him for his protection "Besides, wesince last night They think the Hall is no longer safe"

"After last night, they’re probably right" I sliphim closer "What did your mother learn of the bomb?"

His voice drops to a whisper "There was no bomb" What? "It was an explosion, but it was also an accident A bullet punctured a gas line in the floor, and when Cal’s fire hit it" He trails off, letting his hands do the talking "It was Mother’s idea to use that to our, ah, advantage"

We don’t kill without purpose "She’s turning the Guard into ravely "No one ant to stand with them Not even Reds"

My blood see a shot or drawing a blade Words are all she needs And now I’ sent deeper into her world, to Archeon

You won’t see your fanize her anyet you Dad will die slowly, suffocated by his wounds, and when he’s gone, Mohtful as he watches the emotions rise in my face He always lets me think Sometimes his silence is better than anyone else’s words

"How long do we have left here?"

"We go this afternoon Most of the court is leaving before that, but we have to take the boat Keep soirl, I used to sit ondownriver to the capital Shade would laugh atI didn’t realize then it was just part of the pageant, another display just like the arena fights, to show exactly hoere in the grand scheain, this tiet to see your hoentle Yes, Maven, that’s just what I want To stand and watch my home and my old life pass by

But that’s the price Imy last few days in the valley, and it’s a trade I’m happy to e, the one leading to Cal’s rooe of the hall before I can, like he’s trying to protect

"Bad dreams, brother?" he calls out, worried by what he sees