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"And the reason is?"

"They’re ineffective idiots!"

"He probably doesn’t have any proof," I said "These are wealthy businesspeople who have a great deal of influence and power Fisk has probably cobbled together bits of infor on" At least I fervently hoped so "We need to talk to hirazed nearby

Ari grabbedme "No"

"But time--"

"We haven’t slept in over a day"

"We’ve been resting for five days"

"A few hours is all we need"

"Leif--"

"Leif’s clever He’ll play along, knoe’ll come rescue him But you won’t be able to help your brother if you’re exhausted"

I peered at hiuess Valek--"

"Doesn’t have to order us to protect you You are faoes beyond orders"

When we reached the Citadel two days later, we split up, just in case the guards at the gate had been ordered to look for groups of three Janco circled around to the southern gate with Rusalka, while Ari and I headed for the eastern entrance We e caravan of wagons The guards didn’t even glance at us as we passed through

While the benefit of having busy streets helped us enter unnoticed, the crowded roads slowed our pace It’d been six days since Leif had been taken, and the desire to scream at all these obstructions clawed at my throat Then the need to ensure no one followed us to Fisk’s headquarters delayed us further as we snaked through the streets

Fisk’s building resided in one of the outer factory loops southwest of the market By the time we rendezvoused with Janco near the narrow alley that led to the door, all of my pent-up frustration and worry pressed on my skin from the inside If Fisk couldn’t help, I’d explode His Helper’s Guild , walls and floor for days

"Any trouble?" Ari asked his partner

"None" Janco scrunched up his nose

"Then what’s wrong?" I asked

"Yet another stinkin’ alley The sic I thought Fisk was a regular kid"