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My one request was granted without hesitation, but the other took Ta a backpack with her er possessions, Reema trailed behind me "Are you sure?" she asked for the hundredth tie No one would notice icians They’ll notice If I’m not back by the hot season, you can move in there with him until I return" Only a handful of students re break A few stayed to work; others had no place else to go

When we reached the door, Reerabbed my arm in a panic "You’ll be back before then Won’t you?"

I had reassured her before With travel time, I estimatedyou?"

"Nothing" She shifted her backpack to her other shoulder and scuffed her foot on the ground

Puttinginto a stranger’s house and having the only adult you trusted leave "I prolistened in her eyes "You can’t control fate If she wants you, you can’t stop her"

"Did yourwould be fine Don’t worry, she said ere kicked out of our apartot sick I’ll return with enough money for a season, she proripped ht I can’t stop fate, but I can stay one step ahead of her"

She squinted at me "Can you really do that?"

"Already have" I winked

Faith opened the door and welcomed us inside She had a plate of cinnamon cookies on the table, and she addressed Reeirl We chatted about nothing in particular until I needed to leave

After I said oodbyes, I stood in the doorway

Faith led Reema upstairs to her new room and office "You’ll be my assistant First Adviser to the First Adviser" Faith’s laugh floated down the stairs

Confident Reema would be safe, I returned to the Keep and saddled Quartz I or You know the way"

As Quartz walked to the Citadel’s east gate, I enjoyed the sunny day Only seven days into the heating season, the cool temperature would warht breeze kept the flies fro Quartz The hot sticky weather wouldn’t arrive until late into the season and by then, I planned to be back at the Citadel And then? No idea I hoped this trip would be decisive

Five days later, I arrived in Fulgor Again Noon in my life, I seemed to return to this town Mixed eh thebusiness crowd

The familiar streets cohtmare I did have friends here, and the factory, which I should sell And Devlen was here Why was I so… Ior? At least, this stop would be short In other words, no visiting Devlen

I had or’s Security HQ The new annex looked complete from the outside, but various work to see Devlen, I hustled into the reception area