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When Tama and Zebb entered the reception area, I put the files away Color had returned to her face and she fired off a list of things she neededtomorrow off

She bit her lip as panic flashed in her eyes "Come in my office, please," she said Then Tama turned to Zebb "You can ht?"

He hesitated "Yes, but--"

"Wonderful Opal, e’re done, have another desk brought up here for Zebb" She entered her office

I ducked Zebb’s glare as I followed her and closed the door behind ic can’t reach you now," I said "You’re safe"

"I don’t feel protected" She rubbed her hands along her white silk shirt "I only feel safe when you’re nearby"

"But I was here yesterday, and thatabout the attack all night, trying to deduce a ician’s strong desire to lock you away"

"I’uards we fired" I debated telling her about the attack, but she had enough to worry about withoutic How did you do it? You have no powers and you sent for Zebb to build a null shield"

I had hoped she wouldn’t recall any of the details of my "rescue" Should I formulate a creative explanation or should I tell her the truth? Tama held herself as if my words could knock her over She had been lied to, betrayed and ill-used I would undo all the good progress if she discovered I hadn’t been frank with her She needed to trust

"I’ic That’s hoas able to block the attack But I can’t shield you Remember when I touched your wrist?"

"Yes"

"It didn’t work, so ician had been prepared for my interference, I wouldn’t have saved you"

"Why didn’t you tell hed and explained my reasons She sank into her chair as I talked

"And Zebb knows?"

"He figured it out the first day"

"Why didn’t he tell me?"

"Because I asked him not to" Before she could respond, I added, "I wanted to keep the knowledge of my immunity from the Council until I decide what I want to do with it His pri you safe Since my immunity wouldn’t harm you, he respected ht?"

"Yes It’s inevitable Anytiure it out I’ for the Council to…settle down and be a little hed "You’ve been hanging around here too long That was very diplomatic" Tama paused for a moment "At least my instincts are still reliable When you asked for a day off, I sensed your presence was linked to s of safety"