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It wasn’t until his questions turned pointed and specific that I realized Rand was pu me for information about the Co it hard intoabout this southern treaty?" Rand asked

"No" My tone was harsh, and he looked at et back to bed"

"Before you go, you lass jar "I’ve saut?ed, ground, even boiled thenizably terrible" He poured the fires

Watching hiave me an idea "Maybe they’re not to eat," I said "Maybe they’re a source of fuel" The southern pods had been delivered to Brazell’s new factory Perhaps he was using them to heat his ovens

"Worth a try," Rand said

I threw the beans into the hearth fire We waited for a while, but there were no sudden flames or increase in temperature While Rand switched his bread pans, I stared into the e that as far as the mystery of the beans was concerned, I was out of options

When Rand started again with his questions, I turned my eyes away from the oven’s fire Pressure knotted inwhere I ao I noticed you and Valek have become close Tell him, for me, not to kill anybody, will you?" Sarcasm rendered Rand’s voice sharp

I lost control and slammed the oven door shut It echoed in the quiet kitchen "At least Valek has the decency to infor me," I blurted out, but wished I could pull the words froue, er, or Rand for my outburst wouldn’t erase what I had just said

His facial expressions contorted and vacillated froer "Did Star tell you?" he demanded

"Ah…" I was at a loss If I said yes, he would find out fro, and if I said no, he would insist on knowing ure it out I had just revealed Valek’s entire undercover operation

Fortunately, Rand didn’t wait forinto a tirade "I should have known she would tell you She loves to play nasty head ga, I didn’t want to know you All I wanted was the heap of gold credit that Star offered to apply to my debt if I spiked Valek’s test" Rand pounded the table "Then s Selling infor like I was protecting you made uess I should be grateful, poisonings and kidnappings aside" Sarcasm sharpened my voice