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Actually, that was rather smart Cahil had matured since I’d seen him last

"I’ll think about it," Bruns said

The door clicked shut I returned to the bed, sliding under the covers After that charged conversation, I suspected Bruns would want to peek in and make sure I’d re the ith my eyes closed, just in case

A heel scuffed the stone nearby I keptonce Bruns’s office chair squeaked under his weight

I mulled over all I’d learned as I nibbled on the halaze that tasted Theobro influenced by Theobroht have volunteered, or he could even be a member of the Cartel I wondered if Bruns kept a list of the Cartel members in his desk Probably not--he didn’t strike h to ask Cahil what he’d do about o to Ixia But Cahil also said to use me first Not that I really knew the Commander Other than his secret, I hardly knew hi and had the brilliant strategy and forethought to plan and then execute the takeover of Ixia

The takeover of Ixia I clutched the sheets as I repeated those words

The

Takeover

Of

Ixia

Holy snow cats! The Coe war No He’d plan a way to take over Sitia with little bloodshed Just as he did twenty-three years ago!

29

VALEK

"There’s no one at the Keep?" Valek repeated Fisk’s comment because it didn’t make any sense "Are you sure?"

"Yes They’ve all left, and arrisons in Sitia," Fisk said

"Why?"

Fisk explained about Bruns’s Cartel using Theobroicians to join his cause The one to support the soldiers and prepare for when the Colanced at Zohav and Zethan, still on the horses but close enough to hear their conversation Both orried frowns, and both their thoughts sounded inside Valek’s head Zethan disappointed they probably wouldn’t go to the Keep, and Zohav plotting a way to turn this news to her advantage

Coht

"Stop it," he yelled at the twins

"Stop what?" Zethan asked

"Stop projecting your thoughts into ed a look

"We’re not," Zohav said

"You’ve been doing it since we left hoic froht more books, and Zethan wishes he’d sent a letter to Rosalie before leaving hoazes met Both bewildered