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Winding up the Paltry is easier than it should be A Red market is of no consequence to anyone important, so cameras and officers are sparse on the lower levels But I keep ht lines that h the haphazard stalls and storefronts I wish I could just shut the thee would surely draw attention The officers are evenout sharply in the black uniforh the levels of the Paltry, up to the city surface, they grow in number Most look bored by the rush of Red life, but a few keep their wits Their eyes dart through the crowd, searching

"Hunch," I whisper, gripping Cal’s wrist sharply The action sends a spark of nerves throughme to pull away far too quickly

Still, he does as I tell hih All of this h

"Worry about him If he bolts, we need to be ready," Cal h to brush er out fro to Crance But rip on Crance’s vest Like us, he doesn’t trust the sler further than he can throw hi your head down"

Breath hisses through Cal’s teeth, another exasperated sigh "Just watch If he’s going to run, he’ll do it in about thirty seconds"

I don’t need to ask how Cal knows this Judging by the motion of the crowd, thirty seconds will take us to the top of the twisting, rickety staircase, planting us firmly on the main floor of the Paltry I can see the hub of the ht that is alround The stalls look more permanent, more professional and profitable An open kitchen fills the air with the s meat After ration packs and salt fish, it makesa patched and torn canvas roof A few of the arches are daed, warped by seasons of rain and snow

"He won’t run," Farley whispers, butting in between us "At least not to Egan He’ll lose his head for betraying the Mariners If he’s going anywhere, it’s out of the city"

"Then let hi I need "He’s fulfilled his use to us, hasn’t he?"

"And if he runs right into a jail cell and an interrogation, what then?" Cal’s voice is soft, but full of menace A cold reminder of what must be done to protect ourselves

"He let three of his people die for me, to keep me safe" I don’t even remember their faces I can’t let myself "I doubt torture will bother him much"

"All minds can fall to Elara Merandus," Cal finally says "You and I know that better than anyone If she gets him, we’ll be found The Bay newbloods will be found"

If

Cal wants to kill a ree At least he won’tcan kill as quickly as any flame Instead, his hands stray inside his shawl, to the knife I know he keeps tucked away Within the folds of my sleeves, my hands start to shake And I pray that Crance stays the course; that his steps never falter That he doesn’t get a knife in the back for daring to help me