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Exhausted, I stretched out on the bed It felt lu to find a comfortable position What if Brazell’s soldiers caet I had cleanedme to the baths The roootten to put the chair under the doorknob

Iination kicked in, a vivid scene of me manacled to the bed, helpless while the soldiers stripped hten their anticipation and savor my fear

The walls of my room seemed to thicken and pulse I bolted out into the hallway, expecting to see Brazell’s soldiers lurking around my door The corridor was dark and deserted

When I tried to reenter ainst et my feet to move past the doorway My room was a trap The paranoia effect of My Love or co in the hallway until er, I searched for food

Hoping to find the kitchen e a white uniform with two black dia to hi didn’t bend I tried to sneak back out but he spottedforto eat" I craned my neck back to see his face

He frowned and shifted his weight to his good leg as he studied ht, but he wore the proper clothes and only a cook would be up this early He was handsoht brown eyes and short brown hair I wondered if this was Dilana’s Rand that Margg had talked about

"Help yourself" He gestured toward two steaes"

"Excuse e piece of bread "How could I win you ht?"

I nodded

"Everyone knows Valek gave you a dose of My Love I took a chance and bet a week’s wages that you would live" He stopped to take threerisk, since you’re the smallest and skinniest food taster we’ve ever had Most everyone else had wagered that you wouldn’t pull through, including Margg"

The cook ruh one of the cabinets "Here" He handedvarious ingredients from a shelf, he proceeded to mix up a batter

"How many food tasters have there been?" I asked hi alone didn’t seelad to have some company