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"Aren!" A female voice shatters the silence She closes the inn’s front door, then hurries down the porch steps, and the entire ca Aren back It’s clear everyone here respects him, and I have to adrin and shake hands, and though I don’t understand what’s being said, I get the i off what he’s just done That’s irritating Abducting ht not have been difficult, but there will be repercussions I’ll make sure of it

The woman who called Aren’s name rushes forward and throws her arms around his neck He returns her e It’s a platonic hug between friends, though I’h her gold-blond hair and stone bracelets clinking together on her wrists, she’s beautiful And i is any indication She’s dressed in a bright blue tunic and clean, snug-fitting pants The material looks expensive, like only-affordable-to-nobles expensive, and her collar and the tunic’s flowing heemstones Everyone notices her Aren does, too, I’irl tucked away so, I experinificant step backward No one seems to notice, so I retreat another inch I can’t outrun the fae I guess I’ I can put soures out I’one, but I don’t make it one full stride before Aren turns I freeze and don my best innocent expression

"This is the nalkin-shom," he says to his audience

I frown I’ve never learned the fae’s language--humans aren’t allowed to--but I’m pretty sure what he called me is an insult

"You didn’t kill her," the pretty female says She scrutinizes me with obvious contempt I don’t like her either, and it’s not just because she’s beautiful The only reason she spoke in English was to unsettleme had been a very real option The relare

"This is Lena, daughter of Zarrak," Aren says to me "She’ll show you to your rooets a room?"

"Yes Make sure it’s one on the third floor She needs to get so to do with her"

"Youto kill me" A moment passes before I realize I spoke those words out loud

Aren smiles "And, Lena, make sure the room’s not near one of the oak trees I think our nalkin-sho out of s" He winks at me "Enjoy your stay, McKenzie"

"Come on," Lena snaps as Aren unbuckles his weapon belt and walks toward a trio of waiting fae I consider ignoring her until she folds her slender but toned ar all too ready for a fight We ht, but I’hter of Zarrak can kick my ass--I’m pretty sure all the fae here can

THREE

NEAR AS I can tell, the caroups: those ant to kill me and those ant to usemy side, but it’s not even split down the middle Two-thirds of the fae voted with Lena, who see on the inn’s front porch with the rebels staring up at one, and I have to squint todarkness I know better than to ask theh Not only can fae see better than huhly suspect they’ve had someone cut off the electricity to the inn The room Lena shovedexcept a rickety old bed Not even a lightbulb was left in the single socket in the ceiling They gutted the house of huy