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YELENA

I ith a horrible headache and my s The sile bed, one door and unadorned white walls Not Fisk’s colorful guest rooht I couldn’t move Curare!

Panicked, I thrashed and stopped when I realized my movements were only limited, not paralyzed Just my hands and feet had been secured What did it say abouta few deep breaths, I cal heart I concentrated on the facts My sy potion Concern for the baby burned, and it triggered other worries And then I remembered Leif! He’d been captured Yet that wasn’t cohts spun and I closedwould be clear

The doorknob rattled, and I opened my eyes in time to see Leif enter He carried a tray of food My relief at seeing hioons followed him into my room My memory jerked to life, and my arm burned wherepotion I glared at Leif

"I had to do it," Leif said "You wouldn’t listen to reason, and Bruns orried Ari and Janco would find us"

"That’s because nothing Bruns said was reasonable," I said

"I thought the sa at first But you really need to see what he’s done here It’s wonderful" Leif used the same tone he used to describe a delicious stew

"Do I have a choice?"

"Of course," Bruns said "Just finish hearing me out, and then decide"

"And if I still think you’re a raving lunatic?"

Bruns pressed his lips together and smoothed an invisible wrinkle on his sleeve "Then we’ll discuss your options"

"Options, eh?" My iination produced a number of horrific scenarios I quelled ic and cold calculation would be required "All right I’ll listen"

Leif soons placed a chair near the bottom of my bed while the other freedfor my lock picks and switchblade Bruns sat in the chair

Leif placed the tray on my lap "You’ll feel better once you’ve eaten The chef is an artist Everything hehalf in one gulp Bruns explained his theory about the Commander’s imminent invasion I half listened as I tried the stew Leif hadn’t been exaggerating The broth had a nice balance of sweet and spicy After I sed, I picked up on a subtle aftertaste It tasted familiar It took me another three bites to identify the substance Theobro the spoon down, I reached for the water

"So with the food?" Bruns asked