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My mind reeled Why hadn’t I been more curious about my family? I didn’t even knohat town I had been found in We had been told daily of our good fortune, reminded that we had food, clothes, shelter, teachers and even a small allowance It had been repeatedly pointed out that many children with parents weren’t as well off as ere Was it a forress," Valek said into the silence He stood and resu familyelse, besidesReyad, that you did in the past? Witnessed a cri at all?"

"No Nothing"

Valek tapped the rock against his forehead "Then let’s assuue with so hi to retake Ixia Or they think you know so about Sitia attacking us And ould they? Sitia knows the Commander is content to stay in the north and vice versa" Valek rubbed a hand over his face before continuing

"Perhaps Brazell has gotten creative in his old age and hired southerners to kill you; thereby acco himself No That doesn’t ician Unless he has connections I’hly doubtful" Valek looked around the roo the rock down, he finished the job just as the tihten the rooht and scowled at le one of their own kind to safety," Valek said He studied me

Before I could protest, he asked, "Then why kill you? Unless you’re a Soulfinder, they wouldn’t want you dead" Valek yawned and gently fingered the bruise on his face "I’ to bed" He walked to the stairs

Soulfinder? I had no idea what that was, but more important concerns needed to be addressed

"Valek"

He paused with a foot on the first step

"My antidote"

"Of course" He continued up the steps

While he was upstairs, I wondered how many times in the future I would have to ask for the antidote The knowledge that it was keeping me alive poisoned my mind as surely as the Butterfly’s Dust poisoned ht ofValek could sleep, but I had to taste the Co ht want to wear your hair down today"

"Why?" I ran h my hair The ribbons I had braided were torn and knotted

"To cover theto the Coh tie into a clean uniforarrote had left a bright red ring around my neck that I couldn’t cover no matter how I styled my hair

On my way to the Commander’s office, I saw Liza She set her mouth in a firht, another person I’d angered I regretted having taken ize After all, she had started the argunored h his box of Criollo, rando a piece to verify that no one had poisoned it during the night Eachmy mouth watered as I anticipated the taste of the bittersweet dessert Its nutty flavor coatingued with Valek that I should test it every time the Commander wanted some, but the Commander hoarded his supply He rationed out one piece of Criollo after every h Rand that the Co with a copy of the recipe fro the Commander’s breakfast tray on his desk, I would pick up his daily schedule and leave without a word being uttered But this , when I set the tray down, he told e of the hard, wooden chair facing his desk, I felt a feather of fear brush ether to keep my face impassive

"Valek has inforht I’m concerned that another attempt on your life will jeopardize our exercise" The Coarded me as he sipped his tea "You have presented Valek with a puzzle, and he has assuredyou alive will aid in a speedy resolution Convinceyourself killed According to Valek, you failed to recognize him even after he bumped into you"

My mouth opened, but I closed it as I considered his words A hastily explained or illogical arguiven an easy out Why should I risk my neck for his exercise? I wasn’t a skilled spy; I hadn’t been able to identify Valek even when I kneas following ain it was my neck the murderous assailants were after If I didn’t try to draw them out on hed the arguhtrope, unable to decide which way led to the perfect dis back and forth until so to push me one way or the other