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"But who…"

"Will protect you?"

She nodded

"Do you trust me?" I asked

"Yes"

I pulled in a deep breath My plans to find my blood would have to wait This wasTama first "I will protect you Hire ht people"

"But what about ic? It can influence anybody Force theicians can be corrupted by all that power Thaton me" She shuddered so hard her teacup rattled

Which explained the paranoia I had sensed earlier "We can ask Master Bloodgood to assign you another ician One who can surround you with a null shield Then you won’t have to worry about being spied on or attacked"

"No I don’t want anyone who has ic near me!"

I backed off One problem at a tilanced at Tama A little color had returned to the Councilor’s face and she leaned forward, listening tothe new staff?" I asked Faith

"We didn’t have ti was so chaotic"

"First order of business is to reduce security We’ll keep the best ones on staff"

"How do you knoho is trustworthy?" Tama asked

"I don’t But I trust two people who do"

"Wow" Nic whistled "You went in search of a job as a correctional officer, and becae that?" He propped his elbows on the edge of my massive desk He rested his square jaw on his hands

We were in the Councilor’s reception area I had claimed Dari’s work space and Nic and Eve sat oppositeskills I can alphabetize in seconds" I snapped ers

"In seconds? You’re my new hero" Nic batted his eyelashes at me

Eve punched him in the ar on?"