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"Now I’ence, Valek Why would you come after me alone when everyone kno easy it is to trap the infamous assassin?"

"Who says I’m alone?"

The Mosquito opened his aze slid past Valek’s shoulders Four thuds sounded behind hi the prone forms As usual, Onora was barefoot

"You do realize she wants the sa I do," The Mosquito said

Valek rolled his shoulders as if he’d been released from the pressure of a null shield "I do," he said "But she’ll wait her turn Right, Onora?"

"You can play with your bug first," she said

Valek didn’t hesitate He flipped his dagger and flung it at The Mosquito’s chest with all his strength Shock whitened the man’s face as the blade pierced bone and buried deep into his heart The force sla close, Valek crouched beside the assassin Valek aze "I’m sorry we didn’t have a proper ht"

For Onora to show up in broad daylightto take all his skills to defeat her If he even could Shewith him before "Oh, and Yelena says enjoy the fire world"

Valek yanked his knife from The Mosquito’s chest and stood to face Onora

3

LEIF

"You can’t pack an entire hothouse’s worth of plants onto one wagon, Father," Leif said for the billionth time Sweat rolled down his face as he helped Esau pack the plants’ roots into large terra-cotta pots filled with soil They’d been at it for two days now "Just collect the important ones and those that you think can survive the trip"

Esau knelt areenery Dirt streaked his face and s any of the shrubbery behind was alon, we could construct a hothouse on wheels and--"