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“Justice de s, and he is most unhappy about it Tusk narrows his eyes at me in that I put you where you are sort of way he has If only he’d thought about it for two seconds longer and realized that he really had no choice

“She comes from Earth She is not an elite, nor is she scuood one

“That doesn’t make her an assassin,” Lyric joins the conversation “It’s not Elite, Scuame? Elite beats scum, assassin kills elite, and scum infects assassin”

Her point is valid, even if herof it is very roundabout

“Tell us who you are,” I invite the woman She seems absolutely terrified, so much so I am worried she will not be able to speak

“My naressive oddness, and our co ain, tearful and miserable

I look at Tusk “Really, Tusk You abducted a human? The scythkin will be furious They believe they own hu we need is an invasion here in Megaris”

“You believe a human over me?” Tusk has the nerve to appear offended I respect his commitment to his obvious lie

"She is wearing an apron which appears to have so dinner when you took her”

“All due respect, that could be stew froues

I do not knohat Tusk is trying to cover for, but if I had to take a guess, I'd say the attack during the choosing ceremony was part of his plan I am well aware that Tusk is a traitor I am equally well aware that he will try to replace me if he finds me to be an unsuitable puppet What he is not aware of is that I a, and his death will not be a chore for ine He thinks he put ratitude I owe hie control, I aet that human away from Tusk

“Take Margaret to the dungeon,” I say “Tyvian, she is yours”

Tusk lifts her and in doing so, lifts the dress and shifts her covering

Lyric gasps when she sees what is under it

There is bruising all down her legs And not from Tusk It is older than that It has started to heal It is clear that she has been hurt many times before

“Who did that to you?” Lyric is down next to the woman in an instant, her natural concern evident for absolutely any human in her circle of influence

“Nobody,” Margaret lies miserably