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"Enough banter," the woman said "Put down your weapons, and you will not be harive Leif that choice as well?" he asked

"No In fact, if you ht, he will be harmed in retaliation for your atte his arms off"

So they did have him "And if I surrender?"

"He will not be hurt, and you will provide more incentive for her to complete her mission successfully"

"What if she doesn’t folloen’s orders?"

"Leif and you will suffer"

"But you just said I wouldn’t be harmed" Valek kept his tone reasonable as he suppressed a s frustration

"Yelena’s disobedience would hurt you As long as she obeys, you will be fine"

He noted the woman’s speech patterns Her word choice ree

Most of the Sandseed clan had been killed and he couldn’t i for Owen Moon

"Drop your weapons, now," she ordered

Escape would be difficult, but not iuarantee he would be able to follow thelass er to report his involvement and they cut Leif’s arms off before he could reach him? If he surrendered, they’d take him to Leif and then they’d both escape

Valek slowly set his daggers on the floor and held his hands up

"And the rest," she said

He removed a few more weapons, but left the darts, lock picks and a few other surprises in place

She ordered hi as instructed, Valek knew exactly ould happen next Even though he braced for the blow, the impact sent hier of pain stabbed hiroaned and touched the back of his head, fingering a tender fist-sized lump Nausea churned in his sto his supper

"At least you’re not dead," Leif said "Although after a few meals in here, you’ll wish you were"

Valek opened his eyes He was in a cell co three Beyond his door was a ay and another stone wall The ay ended at a set ofthe far wall, illu the narrow prison Frouration was unfaht, watching him with a semi-amused expression Purple bruises and half-healed cuts marked his face He wore a blue coverall that rese armor, I’m screwed," Leif said

Careful not to jar his head, Valek pushed into a sitting position He was getting too old for this nonsense Valek also wore a blue coverall, and a quick check confir re screwed