Page 7 (1/2)

"How much do you think you’re worth, nalkin-sho," Lena interjects before I can answer "We can’t let the Court have her back"

Da She would be, too, if she were surrounded by people anted to slit her throat

"Maybe we can get Roop and Kexin back," Trev speaks up to my left

"Or estions There’s no doubt I’ht; fewer still have the ability to read the shadows--so ineup to 3040hell, athered on the lawn "We don’t know if any of them are alive"

"The Court doesn’t know she’s alive," so they take a picture ofthe Frankfurter Times or whatever the hell the local paper is called

I snort Like they have a camera here Even if they did, no one would dare touch it

Aren leans forward, rests his forearer between his hands The world’s waiting on his decision Again Must be nice to have that much influence

His face is expressionless when he stands I feel cold and detached, like I’ the end of my life play out I’m half a second away from a desperate, destined-to-fail escape atteer?"

I blink, then frown "Wager?"

He hands the dagger back to Lena "Yes A wager"

Okay I’ll play this ga"

His s you’re interested in, nalkin-sho to offer it"

I pause, consider a snarky response, decide against it "You’re offering me my freedom?"

He crosses his arainst the porch column "If you can map one of my fae to within a hundred feet, yes"

A hundred feet Shit That’s accurate I’ve done it before--twice, in fact--but I’s My luck has sucked these last twenty-four hours I doubt I’ve had a sudden change in fortune

"What do you want if I can’t do it?" I ask, though I knohat his ansill be

"You’ll shadow-read forunder h he knows ood reason, too The best shadow-readers usually ets to within three, four hundred feet I routinely do it in half of that That’s why I’m an asset to the Court When a fae fissures to the location I et

Lena steps forward When Aren doesn’t look at her, she touches his elbow "Even if she’s half as good as the ruest, we can’t trust her"

That’s true I don’t knohy he’s willing to make this bet Does he think I’m less likely to send hier, fair and square, I’ll willingly work for them, and not pull any tricks?