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After I finished round floor, I paused The lantern we kept lit in the glass factory was dark It was either out of oil or so and cloak down Sliding my sais from the holder around my waist, I left them with my cloak and palainst the wall I waited for ht cut through the cracks in the boards covering the s

As I strained to hear any sounds over the hum of the kiln, two possible scenarios came to mind if the lantern had been snuffed One ambusher or more than one The second possibility jacked upwithafter each step to listen When I reached the corner of the rooht flickered as a shadow passed Inside or outside? Valek’s voice lectured in my mind--assume the worst Inside then

I had no desire to leave the corner, but I could be here all night if I didn’t check the lantern The out-of-oil scenario hadn’t been dis wall of the factory The lantern sat in a stone alcove at the midway point I reached it

Before I could check the oil level, the shadow returned, and I dived toward it before it couldthe around With a ered my switchblade and pressed the tip to flesh

He stopped struggling in an instant

"Talk or die," I ordered

He laughed

I groaned and pushed tocolors I especially liked your ulti? Auard all the tiardless" He lit the lantern The yello illuminated his amusement "Practice and repetition sharpen your reflexes to a point where youHowever, the ele Which is why Iinside and why I will test you from time to time"

"Wonderful," I muttered

I collected my satchel and cloak and followed him upstairs When he pulled a chair up to the table full of blueprints, I re, I withdrew the form and slapped it down in front of hie "Well done"

"Was it a test, too? Pretending it was iet inside the prison" He paused

I took the bait "Me? But not you?"

"Correct I can get inside without donning a disguise or doing any of those other tricks You would need a fewto do the sa around in the dark, being away fro