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"Good job! Damn, Yelena, you’re a fast learner" Janco paused, his brow creased in concern "You’re not going to use this to do soet us into trouble?"

"Define stupid," I said When Janco’s eyes widened, I added, "Don’t worry I’et into trouble"

He relaxed, and I practiced on another lock We were in the lower level of the castle where no one would surprise us It had been four days since the night I had learned about Rand Valek’s orders had been to act as if nothing had happened He wanted to discover the full extent of Star’s organization before exposing the his prey before pouncing for the kill

I kneasn’t ready to play the friend to Rand, so I had been avoiding him, which wasn’t hard to do The castle craith Generals and their retinues,Rand

Brazell was another reason I was glad to be out of sight His black-and-green soldiers had infected the castle, and keeping away fro in Valek’s suite He had stolen a box of Criollo, and I was contented to munch a piece each time I tasted the Co sessions for the duration of the Generals’ visit, but I hadhiold coin from Star had provided an added incentive Valek had said I could keep it since working undercover wasn’t part of the food taster’s job But the heavy weight of it in my pocket had been a constant reood use

"This last lock has ten pins If you can open this one, you’ll be able to handle all the pin-tueon bolts They’re complicated, and it’s not like we can practice on the to need that skill, are you?"

"I sincerely hope not"

"Good"

After several failed atteed to pop the lock open

"Now you need to practice The quicker you can spring a lock the better," Janco instructed "I would let you borrow ht need the in his eyes "So…" He pulled another set froave me to buy a set for you" He handed me a black cloth case

"That money was for you"

"Oh, there’s plenty left Even after I bought you this" He flourished an ebony-colored wooden rod as long as ht silver button, and silver syraved on the side

"What’s that?" I asked

"Push the button," he said with glee