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The wild gesture caused the other patients to glance our way Rand leaned in closer to me and asked in a quiet voice, "So, Yelena, how are you feeling?" He looked ata selection ofwhich one would make the best roast

I ary Why would he care? "Gaa is all we servants do What else is there? You should’ve seen the co chased by Brazell’s goons"

Appalled, I said, "Nobody came to help me The hallere deserted"

"That would be involvement in a situation that doesn’t affect us directly Servants don’t ever do that We’re like cockroaches scurrying around in the dark" Rand’s slender fingers waggled "Shine a light… poof! " He flicked his long fingers for emphasis "We disappear"

I felt like the unlucky cockroach that got caught by the light Always scra to stay one step ahead while the shadow of a boot crept closer

"Anyway, the odds were against you Most lost big, while only a few--" Rand paused dra"

"Since you’re here, I suppose you won big"

He s to bet on you You’re like one of the Co you wouldn’t look at twice, but once it grabs your pant leg, it won’t let go"

"Poison the dog’s meat and it won’t bother you anyrin "Trouble?"

Surprised that the castle’s gossip network hadn’t already started laying odds about Valek’s test, I hesitated Rand liked to talk, and he could getthe food taster and all…" I hoped that would satisfy him

Rand nodded He spent the rest of the afternoon alternating between re about potential new recipes When Valek appeared, Rand stopped talking, his face paled and hefrom his chair, he almost toppled in his haste to flee the rooered out of the infir here?"

Valek’s expression remained neutral, but the stillness of his bodymy words, I explained to him that Rand had come to visit