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I bit back a s to do everything they can to keep either one of us fro locked up," I told him, "but there is the possibility that they won’t be able to prevent it"

"We didn’t do anything!"

I held up a hand "We know that and so do Mychael and the archus" I hesitated "The law doesn’t care e know; it only recognizes what can be proven"

Piaras sat back down on "

"No, we didn’t But the law can see things differently A lot of as said in that room aboutthe Saghred, knowing full well that the stone would take hih I wouldn’t exactly call our relationship ‘intimate,’ at least not in the strictly physical sense of the word I ah contrary to popular belief, I haven’t gone off the deep end" I paused, mostly for air "My point is, the truth and the law can be used against you--even if you didn’t do what you’ve been accused of"

Piaras’s eyes were sole atYou haven’t done that yet"

I ain, this time to myself

"All of this will probably work out," I told hihred; our lives will go on as planned But there is a possibility that Mychael and Justinius won’t be able to keep the Khrynsani or elven intelligence froainst us If that’s the case… well, sos could happen"

"We’d be locked up"

"For starters I can use the Saghred You’re probably the er since Mychael or Ronan Cayle People like the Khrynsani or the agency like to have powerful weapons like us"

"I would never be anyone’s weapon," Piaras said vehemently

"Sometimes no one asks you what you want… and persuasion can take many forrowing up in the past teeks, and it’d all beenyou into all of this You’re in soer and it’s all my fault"

"No, it is not your fault" His dark eyes ly "You didn’t ask for any of this, and you have tried fro to protect me" He took a deep breath and carefully let it out Any fear he was feeling was firmly under control, and he was determined to keep it that way "You said you had a question You still haven’t asked " His voice was quiet, but resolute

For a few seconds the only sound was fire crackling in the fireplace

"Do you want to leave Mid?"

I expected a stunned reaction from Piaras He didn’t even bat an eye

"Will it be necessary?"

"Maybe not But it ht"

"But if we’re convinced that the paladin and the archus can keep us safe--"

"Then ill stay I want to be rid of the Saghred" I ser in the world can still learn a few things at college"

"Hoould we leave?"

"I’ve asked Phaelan to come here so we can work out the details He should be here anyti i I didn’t do… and be used"

"Me, either"

"If we have to leave, hoe get out of the citadel?"

"We’ll be going to the recital tonight It’s closer to the part of the harbor--"

Piaras blew his breath out and it al for people anted to use me or lock me up"

Or both

"Taltek Balmorlan has heard you; he knohat you’re capable of," I said "I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he was behind slashing the shields in thetoto attract unwanted attention from people you’d never want to meet"

"The same as you"

I frowned "Exactly"

"They’ve already decided what they want to do with me--and with you" Piaras’s voice was solemn "All they need now is an excuse to do it"