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Her words cut right through e Red-hot guilt welled from the wounds "I’m sorry, Irys After the encounter with Owen I" I tuckedin fear "I felt safer with Valek I’er lessened "And I htician appeared as if she stood on a cru foundation "Aside fro?" I asked

"While the Council has been debating how to respond to the Coedly bold ician sentiround for the past couple of seasons, has now boiled over Councilor Jewelrose has proposed a new syste what they can and can’t do and when It’s siitated, Irys paced "The Councilor claiulated and controlled by the Council"

I glanced at Janco through the bars If anyone would be happy about keeping a leash on icians, it would be him He mouthed, Too easy

Irys continued, "Bain and I and a few other Councilors had enough votes to veto the idea, but" She stopped "However, I’roup has decided to i rumors about a cartel"

My relief over the veto disappeared in a heartbeat "What do you mean?"

She yanked at the sleeves of her robe and snized her delay tactic

"It aze, she icians have been assassinated, and twelve are "

The horror of her words hit s lost the strength to hold me up

"Assassinated how?" Ari asked her

"Puncture wound to the jugular We suspect The Mosquito But the assassin could be using his signature move in order to throw us off"

"Where are the attacks happening?"

"All over Sitia There’s no pattern that we can discern"

I shot to my feet in terror "Leif?"

"He’s fine I coo He’s on his way to the Citadel" She relayed Leif’s information about my father’s discoveries and Owen’s whereabouts "Leif planned to recruit a rescue party to save you frohed It was a dry, huicians ht be safer in Ixia"

"Only if they join Owen," Janco said "Probably not a bad idea, since he’s gonna be our Overlord"

"Your faith is heartwar," Ari said drily "Have there been any incidents inside the Citadel, Second Magician?"

"No And we have senttheroup wants you to do," I said What was that old clichéso about fish in a barrel?

"But with the Keep’s thick walls and towers, it is alicians Surely they wouldn’t attack us there" Her tone failed to onna let theet there?" Janco asked "If it was me, I’d set up ambushes on all the major roads to the Citadel and pick them off one by one"