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Bruns had an answer for everything I needed to try yet another angle "You don’t even know Bruns But you know me and what I’ve done to keep Sitia safe Do you really think I would do anything to har his child You could have been sent here as a spy"

She had a point Although it’d been years since anyone had accusedan Ixian spy Which reminded me of Cahil "Do you trust General Cahil?"

"Yes"

"Talk to Cahil before you report this to Bruns Ask hi to save Sitia, but use your "

"Why would he lie?"

Tiantic risk My heart fluttered "Because he’s working with us And you knous, that’s because he understands Bruns is dangerous and must be stopped"

Her expression softened just a bit "If you’re telling the truthaer?"

"Not if Bruns thinks you still believe hi for the Theobroma to build up in your system so he can brainwash you, too He hasn’t learned that it doesn’t work on the Master Magicians Both Irys and Bain have been playing along until we’re ready to fight back" I took a deep breath to steadyus in deeper "If you tell Bruns what I just said, he will kill them, and you, as well as Cahil And then it’s only a matter of time before the rest of us are all dead" I rested my hand on et a e for you to escape"

"And if I don’t believe you?"

"That e won’t be hard to miss" I called for Valek and Onora

They returned and we hurried into the back rooht for us to find the exit Fisk always ensured there was a back door in his headquarters, just in case Once we stepped outside, I grasped their hands so it would be harder for Zitora to track us to our apartment

"Did you convince her?" he asked

"I don’t know"

He slowed "We need to leave the Citadel right away"

"Bruns already knoe’re here And I may have doo to leave It will only delay the inevitable"

It was a sign of his exhaustion that he just squeezedby the Council Hall If I’m not back by midafternoon tomorroorry Otherwise, don’t" She aimed that coonna worry anyway Get used to it"

"Yes, sir"