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I hunched over the table, regretting that ed uncomfortably with the beans I shifted in ood cause when she bla on me Valek’s actions with Rand’s ht about it from Valek’s point of view, it made sense His job was to protect the Co Events blurred together Tasting, training, tasting, training Ari’s and Janco’s curses and attempts to rouse me remained unsuccessful The news that I could start knife defense failed to produce any enthusiassessions to infor with her contact had been scheduled for the following evening, it ith great difficulty that I suht out each possible scenario, and each co me to one conclusion Who would believe ? No one I needed a witness who could also act as a protector Ari’s na to mind But I didn’t want any suspicion to fall on hi’s contact had a boss, or a whole network of inforht, there was but one course of action, and it led to but one person: Valek

I dreaded the encounter My interaction with hi ofthe Co flips His office was locked, so I tried his suite He wasn’t in the living room, but I heard a faint sound frolowed under the door to Valek’s carving studio A oose bumps on my flesh

I faltered at the entrance This was probably the worst ti’s contact the next day I had no tie, I knocked and opened the door without waiting for an answer

Valek’s lantern flickered He stopped grinding The wheel spun in silence, reflecting pinpricks of light that whirled along the walls and ceiling

He asked, "What is it?"

"I’ve had an offer Someone wants to pay me for information about the Commander"

He spun around His face was half hidden in shadows, but it was as rigid as the stone he held "Why tell ht be the one who has been leaking information about me"

He stared at me

I wished then that I held a heavy rock, because I had the sudden desire to bash it on his head "Espionage is illegal You ht want to make an arrest, or maybe even feed this leak some misinformation You know, spy stuff Reer fueled my words

I took a breath to launch into an attack, but it slid unvoiced pastin Valek’s face Renewed interest e every muscle taut and had just relaxed

"Who?" he asked finally "And when?"

"Margg approached ht" I studied his expression Was he surprised or hurt by Margg’s treachery? I couldn’t tell Reading Valek’s true e