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The shts Hanni set one in front of me Despite my upset sto for the baby The rest of the evening blurred together Soldiers returned and left in waves, carrying crates I noticed that none of the people were faer than Cahil’s age of twenty-nine None of Cahil’s old gang--the ones who’d raised hi Ixia’s nepheere part of this group Maybe they were stationed at the garrison Orabout trust, I alroaned aloud Just how loyal were his people? They’d all eaten the spiked food and been brainwashed What if I ents refused to obey his orders? There was nothing in the contract about his people following the terreement I’d have to ask Cahil about it when--or should that be if?--ere alone

Later that night, Cahil wokewitho"

"Where?"

"We don’t sleep here, and unless you’d rather be chained--"

"No"

"Thought not" He cla ain, Cahil’s crew surrounded us as if they expected an ambush I pulled the hood of my borrowed cloak up and over eneral Few people strolled along the quiet streets Clouds blocked the ht breeze blew dead leaves along the road, their rattle the only sound

"Are you still worried I’ll escape?" I asked after a few blocks

"No But I’m sure your husband is nearby"

"He promised not to interfere"

"But that won’t stop others froet to you There’s still that bounty on your head"

True We headed toward the southeast quadrant of the Citadel Before reaching the governht, and we entered one of those old factories that had been converted into apart?" I asked

"Too hbors"

We climbed to the sixth floor, and I waited in the hallway outside nuuards while the others checked the apartment and lit the lanterns

When it was declared safe, Cahil dismissed his crew "Hanni, Faxon and Sladen, report here at first light The rest of you, meet us at the stables an hour after dawn"