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He had been right about one thing One thing only I hadn’t been clever enough in Hubal

By the tiic, and I realized I had forgotten to ask hi the four co, I entered the front rooloom, I spotted my first surprise A letter had been slipped under my door I carried it upstairs to read and encountereda bowl of stew

The aro Ian’s beef stehichPen

"How long have you been here?" I asked

"Hello to you, too," he said He pointed to a second bowl "Sit Eat You "

I joined hiloith a cozy yellow light Heat radiated from the meat, yet the coals in my hearth remained banked He must have arrived only a short time before me We finished the ain, "How long have you been in Fulgor?"

"Long enough to confir to do"

I acted nonchalant "Good, then I don’t have to explain anything"

An eyebrow quirked He had darkened his pale skin and was unshaven His plain and stained clothing resembled those worn by the construction workers

"Nice try What I don’t knohy you called for help"

"Then why did Yelena tellI heard you traveled to Fulgor after our chat and guessed the reason you caured you would encounter trouble"

Annoyed, I asked, "Are you sure you guessed right?"

"Unless collecting blueprints of Wirral is a new hobby of yours?"

I slouched in ain"

"It’s the nature of this business," he said

When I failed to perk up from his "pep" talk, he asked, "Remember when I told you I make mistakes?"

"Yes"

"This--" he swept his hand out, indicating the roo you"

"Go on"

"I thought I was being subtle when I asked you about your blood I ave me a wry smile