["she\t turned\t to\t Sam,\t he\t was\t frowning.\t He\u2019d\t always\t had\t a\t mixture\t of\t sorrow\t and sympathy\tfor\tthe\tcourtesans\u2014and\tsuch\thatred\tfor\ttheir\tclients.\tHis\tmother\u2019s\tend hadn\u2019t\t been\t a\t happy\t one.\t Perhaps\t that\t was\t why\t he\t tolerated\t the\t insufferable Lysandra\tand\ther\tinsipid\tcompanions. Someone\t almost\t knocked\t into\t Celaena\t from\t behind,\t but\t she\t sensed\t the staggering\tman\tand\teasily\tsidestepped\tout\tof\this\tpath.\t\u201cThis\tis\ta\tmadhouse,\u201d\tshe muttered,\t her\t gaze\t rising\t to\t the\t girls\t on\t the\t swings\t as\t they\t floated\t through\t the room.\tThey\tarched\ttheir\tbacks\tso\tfar\tthat\tit\twas\ta\tmiracle\ttheir\tbreasts\tstayed\tin their\tcorsets. \u201cI\tcan\u2019t\teven\timagine\thow\tmuch\tBardingale\tspent\ton\tthis\tparty.\u201d\tSam\twas\tso close\t his\t breath\t caressed\t her\t cheek.\t Celaena\t was\t actually\t more\t curious\t about how\t much\t the\t hostess\t was\t spending\t on\t keeping\t Doneval\t distracted;\t clearly,\t no cost\t was\t too\t great,\t if\t she\u2019d\t hired\t Celaena\t to\t help\t destroy\t Doneval\u2019s\t trade agreement\tand\tget\tthose\tdocuments\tinto\tsafe\thands.\tBut\tperhaps\tthere\twas\tmore to\t this\t assignment\t than\t just\t the\t slave-trade\t agreement\t and\t blackmailing\t list. Perhaps\t Bardingale\t was\t tired\t of\t supporting\t her\t former\t husband\u2019s\t decadent lifestyle.\tCelaena\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\therself\tto\tblame\ther. Even\t though\t Doneval\u2019s\t cushioned\t alcove\t was\t meant\t to\t be\t private,\t he certainly\t wanted\t to\t be\t seen.\t And\t from\t the\t bottles\t of\t sparkling\t wine\t that\t had been\tset\ton\tthe\tlow\ttable\tbefore\thim,\tshe\tcould\ttell\the\thad\tno\tintention\tof\tgetting up.\t A\t man\t who\t wanted\t to\t be\t approached\t by\t others\u2014who\t wanted\t to\t feel powerful.\tHe\tliked\tto\tbe\tworshipped.\tAnd\tat\ta\tparty\thosted\tby\this\tformer\twife, he\thad\tsome\tnerve\tassociating\twith\tthose\tcourtesans.\tIt\twas\tpetty\u2014and\tcruel,\tif she\tthought\tabout\tit.\tBut\twhat\tgood\tdid\tknowing\tthat\tdo\ther? He\t rarely\t spoke\t to\t other\t men,\t it\t seemed.\t But\t who\t said\t his\t business\t partner had\tto\tbe\ta\tman?\tMaybe\tit\twas\ta\twoman.\tOr\ta\tcourtesan. Doneval\t was\t now\t slobbering\t over\t the\t neck\t of\t the\t girl\t on\t his\t other\t side,\t his hand\t roaming\t along\t her\t bare\t thigh.\t But\t if\t Doneval\t were\t in\t league\t with\t a courtesan,\t why\t would\t he\t wait\t until\t three\t days\t from\t now\t before\t making\t the document\texchange?\tIt\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tone\tof\tClarisse\u2019s\tgirls.\tOr\tClarisse\therself. \u201cDo\tyou\tthink\the\u2019s\tgoing\tto\tmeet\twith\this\tconspirator\ttonight?\u201d\tSam\tasked. Celaena\t turned\t to\t him.\t \u201cNo.\t I\t have\t a\t feeling\t that\t he\u2019s\t not\t foolish\t enough\t to actually\tdo\tany\tdealings\there.\tAt\tleast,\tnot\twith\tanyone\texcept\tClarisse.\u201d\tSam\u2019s face\tdarkened. If\t Doneval\t enjoyed\t female\t company,\t well,\t that\t certainly\t worked\t in\t favor\t of her\t plan\t to\t get\t close\t to\t him,\t didn\u2019t\t it?\t She\t began\t winding\t her\t way\t through\t the crowd. \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing?\u201d\tSam\tsaid,\tmanaging\tto\tkeep\tup\twith\ther.","She\tshot\thim\ta\tlook\tover\ther\tshoulder,\tnudging\tpeople\tout\tof\tthe\tway\tas\tshe made\t for\t the\t alcove.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t follow\t me,\u201d\t she\t said\u2014but\t not\t harshly.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t going to\ttry\tsomething.\tJust\tstay\there.\tI\u2019ll\tcome\tfind\tyou\twhen\tI\u2019m\tdone.\u201d He\tstared\tat\ther\tfor\ta\theartbeat,\tthen\tnodded. Celaena\t took\t a\t long\t breath\t through\t her\t nose\t as\t she\t mounted\t the\t steps\t and walked\tinto\tthe\traised\talcove\twhere\tDoneval\tsat.","CHAPTER 5 The\t four\t courtesans\t noticed\t her,\t but\t Celaena\t kept\t her\t eyes\t on\t Doneval,\t who looked\t up\t from\t the\t neck\t of\t the\t courtesan\t currently\t on\t the\t receiving\t end\t of\t his affection.\t His\t bodyguard\t was\t alert,\t but\t didn\u2019t\t stop\t her.\t Fool.\t She\t forced\t a\t little smile\t to\t her\t lips\t as\t Doneval\u2019s\t eyes\t roved\t freely.\t Up\t and\t down,\t down\t and\t up. That\twas\twhy\tshe\u2019d\topted\tfor\ta\tlower-cut\tdress\tthan\tusual.\tIt\tmade\ther\tstomach turn,\tbut\tshe\tstepped\tcloser,\tonly\tthe\tlowlying\ttable\tbetween\ther\tand\tDoneval\u2019s sofa.\tShe\tgave\ta\tlow,\telegant\tcurtsy.\t\u201cMy\tlord,\u201d\tshe\tpurred. He\t was\t not\t a\t lord\t in\t any\t sense,\t but\t a\t man\t like\t that\t had\t to\t enjoy\t fancy\t titles, however\tunearned\tthey\tmight\tbe. \u201cMay\t I\t help\t you?\u201d\t he\t said,\t taking\t in\t her\t dress.\t She\t was\t definitely\t more covered-up\t than\t the\t courtesans\t around\t him.\t But\t sometimes\t there\t was\t more allure\tin\tnot\tseeing\teverything. \u201cOh,\tI\u2019m\tso\tsorry\tto\tinterrupt,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ttilting\ther\thead\tso\tthat\tthe\tlight\tfrom the\t lanterns\t caught\t in\t her\t eyes\t and\t set\t them\t sparkling.\t She\t knew\t well\t enough which\t of\t her\t features\t men\t tended\t to\t notice\u2014and\t appreciate\u2014most.\t \u201cBut\t my uncle\tis\ta\tmerchant,\tand\the\tspeaks\tso\thighly\tof\tyou\tthat\tI\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tnow\tlooked\tat the\t courtesans\t as\t if\t suddenly\t noticing\t them,\t as\t if\t she\t were\t a\t good,\t decent\t girl realizing\tthe\tcompany\the\tkept\tand\ttrying\tnot\tto\tbecome\ttoo\tembarrassed. Doneval\t seemed\t to\t sense\t her\t discomfort\t and\t sat\t up,\t removing\t his\t hand\t from the\t thigh\t of\t the\t girl\t next\t to\t him.\t The\t courtesans\t all\t went\t a\t bit\t rigid,\t shooting daggers\t in\t her\t direction.\t She\t might\t have\t grinned\t at\t them\t had\t she\t not\t been\t so focused\ton\ther\tact. \u201cGo\ton,\tmy\tdear,\u201d\tDoneval\tsaid,\this\teyes\tnow\tfixed\ton\thers.\tReally,\tit\twas\ttoo easy. She\t bit\t her\t lip,\t tucking\t her\t chin\t down\u2014demure,\t shy,\t waiting\t to\t be\t plucked. \u201cMy\t uncle\t is\t sick\t tonight\t and\t couldn\u2019t\t attend.\t He\t was\t so\t looking\t forward\t to meeting\tyou,\tand\tI\tthought\tI\tmight\tmake\tan\tintroduction\ton\this\tbehalf,\tbut\tI\u2019m so\tterribly\tsorry\tto\thave\tinterrupted\tyou.\u201d\tShe\tmade\tto\tturn,\tcounting\tdown\tthe heartbeats\tuntil\t\u2026","\u201cNo,\t no\u2014I\u2019d\t be\t pleased\t to\t make\t the\t acquaintance.\t What\t is\t your\t name,\t my dear\tgirl?\u201d She\t turned\t back,\t letting\t the\t light\t catch\t in\t her\t blue-gold\t eyes\t again.\t \u201cDianna Brackyn;\t my\t uncle\t is\t Erick\t Brackyn\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t glanced\t at\t the\t courtesans,\t giving her\tbest\talarmed-innocent-maiden\tlook.\t\u201cI\u2014I\ttruly\tdon\u2019t\twish\tto\tinterrupt\tyou.\u201d Doneval\t kept\t drinking\t her\t in.\t \u201cPerhaps,\t if\t it\t would\t not\t be\t an\t inconvenience\t or an\timpertinence,\twe\tcould\tcall\ton\tyou?\tNot\ttomorrow\tor\tthe\tday\tafter,\tsince\tmy uncle\t has\t some\t contract\t with\t the\t viceroy\t of\t Bellhaven\t to\t work\t on,\t but\t the\t day after\t that?\t Three\t days\t from\t now,\t is\t what\t I\t mean.\u201d\t She\t made\t a\t little\t coo\t of\t a laugh. \u201cIt\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t an\t impertinence\t in\t the\t least,\u201d\t Doneval\t crooned,\t leaning forward.\t Mentioning\t Fenharrow\u2019s\t wealthiest\t city\u2014and\t ruler\u2014had\t done\t the trick.\t \u201cIn\t fact,\t I\t much\t admire\t you\t for\t having\t the\t nerve\t to\t approach\t me.\t Not many\tmen\twould,\tlet\talone\tyoung\twomen.\u201d She\talmost\trolled\ther\teyes,\tbut\tshe\tjust\tfluttered\ther\teyelashes\tever\tso\tslightly. \u201cThank\tyou,\tmy\tlord.\tWhat\ttime\twould\tbe\tconvenient\tfor\tyou?\u201d \u201cAh,\u201d\t Doneval\t said.\t \u201cWell,\t I\t have\t dinner\t plans\t that\t night.\u201d\t Not\t a\t hint\t of nerves,\tor\ta\tflicker\tof\tanxiety\tin\this\teyes.\t\u201cBut\tI\tam\tfree\tfor\tbreakfast,\tor\tlunch,\u201d he\tadded\twith\ta\tgrowing\tsmile. She\t sighed\t dramatically.\t \u201cOh,\t no\u2014I\t think\t I\t might\t have\t committed\t myself then,\t actually.\t What\t about\t tea\t that\t afternoon?\t You\t say\t you\t have\t dinner\t plans, but\tperhaps\tsomething\tbefore\t\u2026?\tOr\tmaybe\twe\u2019ll\tjust\tsee\tyou\tat\tthe\ttheater\tthat night.\u201d He\t fell\t silent,\t and\t she\t wondered\t if\t he\t was\t growing\t suspicious.\t But\t she blinked,\t tucking\t her\t arms\t into\t her\t sides\t enough\t that\t her\t chest\t squeezed\t a\t bit more\t out\t of\t her\t neckline.\t It\t was\t a\t trick\t she\u2019d\t used\t often\t enough\t to\t know\t it worked.\t \u201cI\t would\t certainly\t like\t to\t have\t tea,\u201d\t he\t said\t at\t last,\t \u201cbut\t I\u2019ll\t also\t be\t at the\ttheater\tafter\tmy\tdinner.\u201d She\tgave\thim\ta\tbright\tsmile.\t\u201cWould\tyou\tlike\tto\tjoin\tus\tin\tour\tbox?\tMy\tuncle has\t two\t of\t his\t contacts\t from\t the\t viceroy\t of\t Bellhaven\u2019s\t court\t joining\t us,\t but\t I just\tknow\the\u2019d\tbe\thonored\thave\tyou\twith\tus\tas\twell.\u201d He\t cocked\t his\t head,\t and\t she\t could\t practically\t see\t the\t cold,\t calculating thoughts\t churning\t behind\t his\t eyes.\t Come\t on,\t she\t thought,\t take\t the\t bait\t \u2026 Contacts\t with\t a\t wealthy\t businessman\t and\t Bellhaven\u2019s\t viceroy\t should\t be enough. \u201cI\u2019d\tbe\tdelighted,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tgiving\ther\ta\tsmile\tthat\treeked\tof\ttrained\tcharm. \u201cI\u2019m\t sure\t you\t have\t a\t fine\t carriage\t to\t escort\t you\t to\t the\t theater,\t but\t we\u2019d\t be doubly\t honored\t if\t you\u2019d\t use\t ours.\t We\t could\t pick\t you\t up\t after\t your\t dinner,","perhaps?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tafraid\tmy\tdinner\tis\trather\tlate\u2014I\u2019d\thate\tto\tmake\tyou\tor\tyour\tuncle\ttardy for\tthe\ttheater.\u201d \u201cOh,\t it\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t a\t problem.\t What\t time\t does\t your\t dinner\t begin\u2014or\t end,\t I suppose\tis\tthe\tbetter\tquestion!\u201d\tA\tgiggle.\tA\ttwinkle\tin\ther\teye\tthat\tsuggested\tthe sort\t of\t curiosity\t in\t what\t a\t man\t like\t Doneval\t would\t be\t eager\t to\t show\t an inexperienced\tgirl.\tHe\tleaned\tfarther\tforward.\tShe\twanted\tto\tclaw\tat\tthe\tskin\this gaze\traked\tover\twith\tsuch\tsensual\tconsideration. \u201cThe\tmeal\tshould\tbe\tover\twithin\tan\thour,\u201d\the\tdrawled,\t\u201cif\tnot\tsooner;\tonly\ta quick\tmeal\twith\tan\told\tfriend\tof\tmine.\tWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tstop\tby\tthe\thouse\tat\teight thirty?\u201d Her\t smile\t grew,\t genuine\t this\t time.\t Seven\t thirty,\t then.\t That\u2019s\t when\t the\t deal would\t occur.\t How\t could\t he\t be\t that\t foolish,\t that\t arrogant?\t He\t deserved\t to\t die just\tfor\tbeing\tso\tirresponsible\u2014so\teasily\tlured\tby\ta\tgirl\twho\twas\tfar\ttoo\tyoung for\thim. \u201cOh,\t yes!\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cOf\t course.\u201d\t She\t rattled\t off\t details\t about\t her\t uncle\u2019s business\t and\t how\t well\t they\u2019d\t get\t along,\t and\t soon\t she\t was\t curtsying\t again, giving\t him\t another\t long\t look\t at\t her\t cleavage\t before\t she\t walked\t away.\t The courtesans\twere\tstill\tglaring\tat\ther,\tand\tshe\tcould\tfeel\tDoneval\u2019s\tgaze\tdevouring her\t until\t the\t crowd\t swallowed\t her\t up.\t She\t made\t a\t show\t of\t going\t over\t to\t the food,\t keeping\t up\t the\t demure\t maiden\t facade,\t and\t when\t Doneval\t finally\t stopped watching,\t she\t let\t out\t a\t sigh.\t That\t had\t certainly\t gone\t well.\t She\t loaded\t a\t plate with\t food\t that\t made\t her\t mouth\t water\u2014roast\t boar,\t berries\t and\t cream,\t warm chocolate\tcake\t\u2026 From\t a\t few\t feet\t away,\t she\t found\t Leighfer\t Bardingale\t observing\t her,\t the woman\u2019s\t dark\t eyes\t remarkably\t sad.\t Pitying.\t Or\t was\t it\t regret\t for\t what\t she\t had hired\t Celaena\t to\t do?\t Bardingale\t approached,\t brushing\t against\t Celaena\u2019s\t skirts on\t her\t way\t to\t the\t buffet\t table,\t but\t Celaena\t chose\t not\t to\t acknowledge\t her. Whatever\t Arobynn\t had\t told\t the\t woman\t about\t her,\t she\t didn\u2019t\t care\t to\t know. Though\tshe\twould\thave\tliked\tto\tknow\twhat\tperfume\tBardingale\twas\twearing;\tit smelled\tlike\tjasmine\tand\tvanilla. Sam\t was\t suddenly\t beside\t her,\t appearing\t in\t that\t silent-as-death\t way\t of\t his. \u201cDid\tyou\tget\twhat\tyou\tneeded?\u201d\tHe\tfollowed\tCelaena\tas\tshe\tadded\tmore\tfood\tto her\t plate.\t Leighfer\t took\t a\t few\t scoops\t of\t berries\t and\t a\t dollop\t of\t cream\t and disappeared\tback\tinto\tthe\tcrowd. Celaena\t grinned,\t glancing\t to\t the\t alcove\t where\t Doneval\t had\t now\t returned\t to his\t hired\t company.\t She\t deposited\t her\t plate\t on\t the\t table.\t \u201cI\t certainly\t did.\t It appears\the\u2019s\tunavailable\tat\tseven\tthirty\tin\tthe\tevening\tthat\tday.\u201d","\u201cSo\twe\thave\tour\tmeeting\ttime,\u201d\tSam\tsaid. \u201cIndeed\twe\tdo.\u201d\tShe\tturned\tto\thim\twith\ta\ttriumphant\tsmirk,\tbut\tSam\twas\tnow watching\t Doneval,\t his\t frown\t growing\t as\t the\t man\t continued\t pawing\t at\t the\t girls around\thim. The\t music\t shifted,\t becoming\t livelier,\t the\t twins\u2019\t voices\t rising\t in\t a\t wraithlike harmony.\t \u201cAnd\t now\t that\t I\t got\t what\t I\t came\t here\t for,\t I\t want\t to\t dance,\u201d\t Celaena said.\t \u201cSo\t drink\t up,\t Sam\t Cortland.\t We\u2019re\t not\t washing\t our\t hands\t in\t blood tonight.\u201d She\tdanced\tand\tdanced.\tThe\tbeautiful\tyouths\tof\tMelisande\thad\tgathered\tnear the\tplatform\tthat\theld\tthe\ttwin\tsingers,\tand\tCelaena\thad\tgravitated\ttoward\tthem. Bottles\t of\t sparkling\t wine\t passed\t from\t hand\t to\t hand,\t mouth\t to\t mouth.\t Celaena swigged\tfrom\tall\tof\tthem. Around\tmidnight,\tthe\tmusic\tchanged,\tgoing\tfrom\torganized,\telegant\tdances\tto a\tfrenzied,\tsensual\tsound\tthat\thad\ther\tclapping\ther\thands\tand\tstomping\ther\tfeet in\t time.\t The\t Melisanders\t seemed\t eager\t to\t writhe\t and\t fling\t themselves\t about.\t If there\t were\t music\t and\t movements\t that\t embodied\t the\t wildness\t and\t recklessness and\timmortality\tof\tyouth,\tthey\twere\there,\ton\tthis\tdance\tfloor. Doneval\t remained\t where\t he\t sat\t on\t the\t cushions,\t drinking\t bottle\t after\t bottle. He\tnever\tonce\tglanced\tin\ther\tdirection;\twhoever\the\thad\tthought\tDianna\tBrackyn was,\tshe\twas\tnow\tforgotten.\tGood. Sweat\t ran\t along\t every\t part\t of\t her\t body,\t but\t she\t tipped\t her\t head\t back,\t arms upraised,\tcontent\tto\tbask\tin\tthe\tmusic.\tOne\tof\tthe\tcourtesans\ton\tthe\tswings\tflew by\tso\tlow\tthat\ttheir\tfingers\tbrushed.\tThe\ttouch\tsent\tsparks\tshooting\tthrough\ther. This\twas\tmore\tthan\ta\tparty:\tit\twas\ta\tperformance,\tan\torgy,\tand\ta\tcall\tto\tworship at\tthe\taltar\tof\texcess.\tCelaena\twas\ta\twilling\tsacrifice. The\t music\t shifted\t again,\t a\t riot\t of\t pounding\t drums\t and\t the\t staccato\t notes\t of the\t twins.\t Sam\t kept\t a\t respectful\t distance\u2014dancing\t alone,\t occasionally detangling\thimself\tfrom\tthe\tarms\tof\ta\tgirl\twho\tsaw\this\tbeautiful\tface\tand\ttried\tto seize\thim\tfor\ther\town.\tCelaena\ttried\tnot\tto\tsmirk\twhen\tshe\tsaw\thim\tpolitely,\tbut firmly,\ttelling\tthe\tgirl\tto\tfind\tsomeone\telse. Many\tof\tthe\tolder\tpartygoers\thad\tlong\tsince\tleft,\tceding\tthe\tdance\tfloor\tto\tthe young\tand\tbeautiful.\tCelaena\tfocused\tlong\tenough\tto\tcheck\ton\tDoneval\u2014and\tto see\tArobynn\tsitting\twith\tBardingale\tin\tanother\tone\tof\tthe\tnearby\talcoves.\tA\tfew others\tsat\twith\tthem,\tand\tthough\tglasses\tof\twine\tlittered\ttheir\ttable,\tthey\tall\thad lowered\t brows\t and\t tight-lipped\t expressions.\t While\t Doneval\t had\t come\t here\t to feast\toff\this\tformer\twife\u2019s\tfortune,\tit\tseemed\tlike\tshe\thad\tother\tthoughts\ton\thow","to\tenjoy\ther\tparty.\tWhat\tsort\tof\tstrength\thad\tit\ttaken\tto\taccept\tthat\tassassinating her\tformer\thusband\twas\tthe\tonly\toption\tleft?\tOr\twas\tit\tweakness? The\tclock\tstruck\tthree\u2014three!\tHow\thad\tso\tmany\thours\tpassed?\tA\tglimmer\tof movement\tcaught\ther\teye\tby\tthe\ttowering\tdoors\tatop\tthe\tstairs.\tFour\tyoung\tmen wearing\t masks\t stood\t atop\t the\t steps,\t surveying\t the\t crowd.\t It\t took\t all\t of\t two heartbeats\tfor\ther\tto\tsee\tthat\tthe\tdark-haired\tyouth\twas\ttheir\tringleader,\tand\tthat the\t fine\t clothes\t and\t the\t masks\t they\t wore\t marked\t them\t as\t nobility.\t Probably nobles\tlooking\tto\tescape\ta\tstuffy\tfunction\tand\tsavor\tthe\tdelights\tof\tRifthold. The\tmasked\tstrangers\tswaggered\tdown\tthe\tsteps,\tone\tof\tthem\tkeeping\tclose\tto the\t dark-haired\t youth.\t That\t one\t had\t a\t sword,\t she\t noticed,\t and\t from\t his\t tensed shoulders,\tshe\tcould\ttell\the\twasn\u2019t\tentirely\tpleased\tto\tbe\there.\tBut\tthe\tlips\tof\tthe ringleader\t parted\t in\t a\t grin\t as\t he\t stalked\t into\t the\t crowd.\t Gods\t above,\t even\t with the\tmask\tobscuring\thalf\tof\this\tfeatures,\the\twas\thandsome. She\tdanced\tas\tshe\twatched\thim,\tand,\tas\tif\the\thad\tsomehow\tsensed\ther\tall\tthis time,\t their\t eyes\t met\t from\t across\t the\t room.\t She\t gave\t him\t a\t smile,\t then deliberately\t turned\t back\t toward\t the\t singers,\t her\t dancing\t a\t little\t more\t careful,\t a little\tmore\tinviting.\tShe\tfound\tSam\tfrowning\tat\ther.\tShe\tgave\thim\ta\tshrug. It\ttook\tthe\tmasked\tstranger\ta\tfew\tminutes\u2014and\ta\tknowing\tsmile\tfrom\ther\tto suggest\tthat\tshe,\ttoo,\tknew\texactly\twhere\the\twas\u2014but\tsoon\tshe\tfelt\ta\thand\tslide around\ther\twaist. \u201cSome\t party,\u201d\t the\t stranger\t whispered\t in\t her\t ear.\t She\t twisted\t to\t see\t sapphire eyes\tgleaming\tat\ther.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tfrom\tMelisande?\u201d She\tswayed\twith\tthe\tmusic.\t\u201cPerhaps.\u201d His\tsmile\tgrew.\tShe\titched\tto\tpull\toff\tthe\tmask.\tAny\tyoung\tnobles\twho\twere out\tat\tthis\thour\twere\tcertainly\tnot\there\tfor\tinnocent\tpurposes.\tStill\u2014who\twas\tto say\tthat\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tsome\tfun,\ttoo?\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tyour\tname?\u201d\the\tasked\tabove the\troar\tof\tthe\tmusic. She\tleaned\tclose.\t\u201cMy\tname\tis\tWind,\u201d\tshe\twhispered.\t\u201cAnd\tRain.\tAnd\tBone and\tDust.\tMy\tname\tis\ta\tsnippet\tof\ta\thalf-remembered\tsong.\u201d He\tchuckled,\ta\tlow,\tdelightful\tsound.\tShe\twas\tdrunk,\tand\tsilly,\tand\tso\tfull\tof the\tglory\tof\tbeing\tyoung\tand\talive\tand\tin\tthe\tcapital\tof\tthe\tworld\tthat\tshe\tcould hardly\tcontain\therself. \u201cI\thave\tno\tname,\u201d\tshe\tpurred.\t\u201cI\tam\twhoever\tthe\tkeepers\tof\tmy\tfate\ttell\tme\tto be.\u201d He\t grasped\t her\t by\t her\t wrist,\t running\t a\t thumb\t along\t the\t sensitive\t skin underneath.\t\u201cThen\tlet\tme\tcall\tyou\tMine\tfor\ta\tdance\tor\ttwo.\u201d She\tgrinned,\tbut\tsomeone\twas\tsuddenly\tbetween\tthem,\ta\ttall,\tpowerfully\tbuilt person.\tSam.\tHe\tripped\tthe\tstranger\u2019s\thand\toff\ther\twrist.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tspoken\tfor,\u201d\the","growled,\tall\ttoo\tclose\tto\tthe\tyoung\tman\u2019s\tmasked\tface.\tThe\tstranger\u2019s\tfriend\twas behind\thim\tin\tan\tinstant,\this\tbronze\teyes\tfixed\ton\tSam. Celaena\tgrabbed\tSam\u2019s\telbow.\t\u201cEnough,\u201d\tshe\twarned\thim. The\t masked\t stranger\t looked\t Sam\t up\t and\t down,\t then\t held\t up\t his\t hands.\t \u201cMy mistake,\u201d\t he\t said,\t but\t winked\t at\t Celaena\t before\t he\t disappeared\t into\t the\t crowd, his\tarmed\tfriend\tclose\tbehind. Celaena\twhirled\tto\tface\tSam.\t\u201cWhat\tin\thell\twas\tthat\tfor?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tdrunk,\u201d\the\ttold\ther,\tso\tclose\ther\tchest\tbrushed\this.\t\u201cAnd\the\tknew\tit, too.\u201d \u201cSo?\u201d\t Even\t as\t she\t said\t it,\t someone\t dancing\t wildly\t crashed\t into\t her\t and\t set her\t reeling.\t Sam\t caught\t her\t around\t the\t waist,\t his\t hands\t firm\t on\t her\t as\t he\t kept her\tfrom\tfalling\tto\tthe\tground. \u201cYou\u2019ll\tthank\tme\tin\tthe\tmorning.\u201d \u201cJust\tbecause\twe\u2019re\tworking\ttogether\tdoesn\u2019t\tmean\tI\u2019m\tsuddenly\tincapable\tof handling\tmyself.\u201d\tHis\thands\twere\tstill\ton\ther\twaist. \u201cLet\t me\t take\t you\t home.\u201d\t She\t glanced\t toward\t the\t alcoves.\t Doneval\t was passed\tout\tcold\ton\tthe\tshoulder\tof\ta\tvery\tbored-looking\tcourtesan.\tArobynn\tand Bardingale\twere\tstill\tdeep\tin\ttheir\tconversation. \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tan\tescort.\tI\u2019ll\tgo\thome\twhen\tI\tfeel\tlike\tit.\u201d\tShe slipped\tout\tof\this\tgrasp,\tslamming\tinto\tthe\tshoulder\tof\tsomeone\tbehind\ther.\tThe man\t apologized\t and\t moved\t away.\t \u201cBesides,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t unable\t to\t stop\t the words\tor\tthe\tstupid,\tuseless\tjealousy\tthat\tgrabbed\tcontrol\tof\ther,\t\u201cdon\u2019t\tyou\thave Lysandra\tor\tsomeone\tequally\tfor\thire\tto\tbe\twith?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t be\t with\t Lysandra,\t or\t anyone\t else\t for\t hire\u201d\t he\t said\t through gritted\tteeth.\tHe\treached\tfor\ther\thand.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\u2019re\ta\tdamned\tfool\tfor\tnot\tseeing it.\u201d She\tshook\toff\this\tgrip.\t\u201cI\tam\twhat\tI\tam,\tand\tI\tdon\u2019t\tparticularly\tcare\twhat\tyou think\tof\tme.\u201d\tMaybe\tonce\the\tmight\thave\tbelieved\tthat,\tbut\tnow\t\u2026 \u201cWell,\t I\t care\t what\t you\t think\t of\t me.\t I\t care\t enough\t that\t I\t stayed\t at\t this disgusting\tparty\tjust\tfor\tyou.\tAnd\tI\tcare\tenough\tthat\tI\u2019d\tattend\ta\tthousand\tmore like\t it\t so\t I\t can\t spend\t a\t few\t hours\t with\t you\t when\t you\t aren\u2019t\t looking\t at\t me\t like I\u2019m\tnot\tworth\tthe\tdirt\tbeneath\tyour\tshoes.\u201d That\t made\t her\t anger\t stumble.\t She\t swallowed\t hard,\t her\t head\t spinning.\t \u201cWe have\tenough\tgoing\ton\twith\tDoneval.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\tbe\tfighting\twith\tyou.\u201d\tShe wanted\t to\t rub\t her\t eyes,\t but\t she\t would\t have\t ruined\t the\t cosmetics\t on\t them.\t She let\tout\ta\tlong\tsigh.\t\u201cCan\u2019t\twe\tjust\t\u2026\ttry\tto\tenjoy\tourselves\tright\tnow?\u201d Sam\t shrugged,\t but\t his\t eyes\t were\t still\t dark\t and\t gleaming.\t \u201cIf\t you\t want\t to dance\twith\tthat\tman,\tthen\tgo\tahead.\u201d","\u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tabout\tthat.\u201d \u201cThen\ttell\tme\twhat\tit\u2019s\tabout.\u201d She\t began\t wringing\t her\t fingers,\t then\t stopped\t herself.\t \u201cLook,\u201d\t she\t said,\t the music\tso\tloud\tit\twas\thard\tto\thear\ther\town\tthoughts.\t\u201cI\u2014Sam,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow to\tbe\tyour\tfriend\tyet.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\tI\tknow\thow\tto\tbe\tanyone\u2019s\tfriend.\tAnd\t\u2026 Can\twe\tjust\ttalk\tabout\tthis\ttomorrow?\u201d He\tshook\this\t head\tslowly,\t but\tgave\t her\ta\tsmile,\t even\tthough\t it\tdidn\u2019t\t reach his\t eyes.\t \u201cSure.\t If\t you\t can\t remember\t anything\t tomorrow,\u201d\t he\t said\t with\t forced lightness.\t She\t made\t herself\t smile\t back\t at\t him.\t He\t jerked\t his\t chin\t toward\t the dancing.\t\u201cGo\thave\tfun.\tWe\u2019ll\ttalk\tin\tthe\tmorning.\u201d\tHe\tstepped\tcloser,\tas\tif\the\u2019d kiss\t her\t cheek,\t but\t then\t thought\t better\t of\t it.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t if\t she\t was disappointed\tor\tnot\tas\the\tsqueezed\ther\tshoulder\tinstead. With\tthat,\the\tvanished\tinto\tthe\tcrowd.\tCelaena\tstared\tafter\thim\tuntil\ta\tyoung woman\tpulled\ther\tinto\ta\tcircle\tof\tdancing\tgirls,\tand\tthe\trevelry\ttook\thold\tof\ther again. The\t rooftop\t of\t her\t new\t apartment\t looked\t out\t over\t the\t Avery\t River,\t and Celaena\tsat\ton\tthe\twalled\tedge,\ther\tlegs\tdangling\toff\tthe\tside.\tThe\tstone\tbeneath her\t was\t chill\t and\t damp,\t but\t the\t rain\t had\t stopped\t during\t the\t night,\t and\t fierce winds\thad\tblown\tthe\tclouds\taway\tas\tthe\tstars\tfaded\tand\tthe\tsky\tlightened. The\t sun\t broke\t over\t the\t horizon,\t flooding\t the\t snaking\t arm\t of\t the\t Avery\t with light.\tIt\tbecame\ta\tliving\tband\tof\tgold. The\t capital\t began\t to\t stir,\t chimneys\t puffing\t up\t smoke\t from\t the\t first\t of\t the day\u2019s\t fires,\t fishermen\t calling\t to\t one\t another\t from\t the\t nearby\t docks,\t young children\trushing\tthrough\tthe\tstreets\twith\tbundles\tof\twood\tor\tthe\tmorning\tpapers or\tbuckets\tof\twater.\tBehind\ther,\tthe\tglass\tcastle\tshimmered\tin\tthe\tdawn. She\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tto\ther\tnew\tapartment\tsince\tshe\u2019d\treturned\tfrom\tthe\tdesert,\tso she\u2019d\t taken\t a\t few\t minutes\t to\t walk\t through\t the\t spacious\t rooms\t hidden\t on\t the upper\tfloor\tof\ta\tfake\twarehouse.\tIt\twas\tthe\tlast\tplace\tanyone\twould\texpect\ther\tto purchase\t a\t home,\t and\t the\t warehouse\t itself\t was\t filled\t with\t bottles\t of\t ink\u2014a supply\tno\tone\twas\tlikely\tto\tbreak\tin\tto\tsteal.\tThis\twas\ta\tplace\tthat\twas\thers\tand hers\talone.\tOr\tit\twould\tbe,\tas\tsoon\tas\tshe\ttold\tArobynn\tshe\twas\tleaving.\tWhich she\u2019d\tdo\tas\tsoon\tas\tshe\tfinished\tthis\tbusiness\twith\tDoneval.\tOr\tsometime\tsoon after\tthat.\tMaybe. She\t inhaled\t the\t damp\t morning\t air,\t letting\t it\t wash\t through\t her.\t Seated\t on\t the roof\t ledge,\t she\t felt\t wonderfully\t insignificant\u2014a\t mere\t speck\t in\t the\t vastness\t of the\tgreat\tcity.\tAnd\tyet\tall\tof\tit\twas\thers\tfor\tthe\ttaking.","Yes,\tthe\tparty\thad\tbeen\tdelightful,\tbut\tthere\twas\tmore\tto\tthe\tworld\tthan\tthat. Bigger\tthings,\tmore\tbeautiful\tthings,\tmore\treal\tthings.\tHer\tfuture\twas\thers,\tand she\thad\tthree\ttrunks\tof\tgold\thidden\tin\ther\troom\tthat\twould\tsolidify\tit.\tShe\tcould make\tof\ther\tlife\twhat\tshe\twanted. Celaena\tleaned\tback\ton\ther\thands,\tdrinking\tin\tthe\tawakening\tcity.\tAnd\tas\tshe watched\tthe\tcapital,\tshe\thad\tthe\tjoyous\tfeeling\tthat\tthe\tcapital\twatched\ther\tback.","CHAPTER 6 Since\tshe\u2019d\tforgotten\tto\tdo\tit\tat\tthe\tparty\tthe\tnight\tbefore,\tshe\tmeant\tto\tthank Sam\tfor\tthe\tmusic\tduring\ttheir\tusual\ttumbling\tlesson\tafter\tbreakfast.\tBut\tseveral of\t the\t other\t assassins\t were\t also\t in\t the\t training\t hall,\t and\t she\t had\t no\t desire\t to explain\t the\t gift\t to\t any\t of\t the\t older\t men.\t They\t would\t undoubtedly\t take\t it\t the wrong\tway.\tNot\tthat\tthey\tparticularly\tcared\tabout\twhat\tshe\twas\tup\tto;\tthey\tdid their\t best\t to\t stay\t out\t of\t her\t way,\t and\t she\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t get\t to\t know\t them, either.\t Besides,\t her\t head\t was\t throbbing\t thanks\t to\t staying\t up\t until\t dawn\t and drinking\t all\t that\t sparkling\t wine,\t so\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t even\t think\t of\t the\t right\t words just\tnow. She\twent\tthrough\ther\ttraining\texercises\tuntil\tnoon,\timpressing\ttheir\tinstructor with\tthe\tnew\tways\tshe\u2019d\tlearned\tto\tmove\twhile\tshe\twas\tin\tthe\tRed\tDesert.\tShe felt\tSam\twatching\ther\tfrom\tthe\tmats\ta\tfew\tfeet\taway.\tShe\ttried\tnot\tto\tlook\tat\this shirtless\tchest,\tgleaming\twith\tsweat,\tas\the\ttook\ta\trunning\tjump,\tnimbly\tflipping through\t the\t air\t and\t landing\t almost\t soundlessly\t on\t the\t ground.\t By\t the\t Wyrd,\t he was\tfast.\tHe\u2019d\tcertainly\tspent\tthe\tsummer\ttraining,\ttoo. \u201cMilady,\u201d\t the\t instructor\t coughed,\t and\t she\t turned\t to\t him,\t giving\t a\t glare\t that warned\thim\tnot\tto\tcomment.\tShe\tslid\tinto\ta\tbackbend,\tthen\tflipped\tout\tof\tit,\ther legs\tsmoothly\trising\tover\ther\thead\tand\tback\tto\tthe\tfloor. She\tlanded\tin\ta\tkneel,\tand\tlooked\tup\tto\tsee\tSam\tapproaching.\tStopping\tbefore her,\the\tgave\tthe\tinstructor\ta\tsharp\tjerk\tof\this\tchin,\tand\tthe\tstocky,\tcompact\tman found\tsomewhere\telse\tto\tbe. \u201cHe\twas\thelping\tme,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid.\tHer\tmuscles\tquivered\tas\tshe\tstood.\tShe\u2019d trained\t hard\t this\t morning,\t despite\t how\t little\t sleep\t she\u2019d\t gotten\u2014which\t had nothing\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\tfact\tthat\tshe\thadn\u2019t\twanted\tto\tspend\ta\tmoment\talone\twith Sam\tin\tthe\ttraining\thall. \u201cHe\u2019s\there\tevery\tother\tday.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tmissing\tanything\tvital,\u201d\tSam replied.\t She\t kept\t her\t gaze\t on\t his\t face.\t She\u2019d\t seen\t Sam\t shirtless\t before\u2014she\u2019d seen\tall\tof\tthe\tassassins\tin\tvarious\tstages\tof\tundress\tthanks\tto\ttheir\ttraining\u2014but this\tfelt\tdifferent.","\u201cSo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201care\twe\tbreaking\tinto\tDoneval\u2019s\thouse\ttonight?\u201d\tShe\tkept\ther voice\t down.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t particularly\t like\t sharing\t anything\t with\t her\t fellow assassins.\tBen\tshe\u2019d\tonce\ttold\teverything\tto,\tbut\the\twas\tdead\tand\tburied.\t\u201cNow that\twe\tknow\tthe\tmeeting\ttime,\twe\tshould\tget\tinto\tthat\tupstairs\tstudy\tand\tget\ta sense\tof\twhat\tand\thow\tmany\tdocuments\tthere\tare\tbefore\the\tshares\tthem\twith\this partner.\u201d\t Since\t the\t sun\t had\t finally\t decided\t to\t make\t an\t appearance,\t it\t made daytime\tstalking\tnext\tto\timpossible. He\t frowned,\t running\t a\t hand\t through\t his\t hair.\t \u201cI\t can\u2019t.\t I\t want\t to,\t but\t I\t can\u2019t. Lysandra\thas\ta\tpre-Bidding\trehearsal,\tand\tI\u2019m\ton\tguard\tduty.\tI\tcould\tmeet\tyou after,\tif\tyou\twant\tto\twait\tfor\tme.\u201d \u201cNo.\t I\u2019ll\t go\t myself.\t It\t shouldn\u2019t\t be\t that\t hard.\u201d\t She\t started\t from\t the\t training room,\tand\tSam\tfollowed\ther,\tkeeping\tclose\tto\ther\tside. \u201cIt\u2019s\tgoing\tto\tbe\tdangerous.\u201d \u201cSam,\tI\tfreed\ttwo\thundred\tslaves\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay\tand\ttook\tdown\tRolfe.\tI\tthink I\tcan\thandle\tthis.\u201d\tThey\treached\tthe\tmain\tentranceway\tof\tthe\tKeep. \u201cAnd\tyou\tdid\tthat\twith\tmy\thelp.\tWhy\tdon\u2019t\tI\tstop\tby\tDoneval\u2019s\tafter\tI\tfinish and\tsee\tif\tyou\tneed\tme?\u201d She\t patted\t his\t shoulder,\t his\t bare\t skin\t sticky\t with\t sweat.\t \u201cDo\t whatever\t you want.\tThough\tI\thave\ta\tfeeling\tI\u2019ll\talready\tbe\tdone\tby\tthat\tpoint.\tBut\tI\u2019ll\ttell\tyou all\t about\t it\t tomorrow\t morning,\u201d\t she\t crooned,\t pausing\t at\t the\t foot\t of\t the\t grand staircase. He\tgrabbed\ther\thand.\t\u201cPlease\tbe\tcareful.\tJust\tget\ta\tlook\tat\tthe\tdocuments\tand go.\t We\u2019ve\t still\t got\t two\t days\t until\t the\t exchange;\t if\t it\u2019s\t too\t dangerous,\t then\t we can\ttry\ttomorrow.\tDon\u2019t\tput\tyourself\tat\trisk.\u201d The\t doors\t to\t the\t Keep\t swung\t open\t and\t Sam\t dropped\t her\t hand\t as\t Lysandra and\tClarisse\tcame\tsweeping\tin. Lysandra\u2019s\t face\t was\t flushed,\t making\t her\t green\t eyes\t sparkle.\t \u201cOh,\t Sam,\u201d Lysandra\t said,\t rushing\t toward\t him\t with\t outstretched\t hands.\t Celaena\t bristled. Sam\tgrasped\tLysandra\u2019s\tslender\tfingers\tpolitely.\tFrom\tthe\tway\tshe\tdrank\thim\tin \u2014especially\this\tshirtless\ttorso\u2014Celaena\thad\tno\ttrouble\tbelieving\tthat\ttwo\tdays from\tnow,\tas\tsoon\tas\ther\tBidding\tNight\twas\tover\tand\tshe\tcould\tbe\twith\twhoever she\twanted,\tshe\u2019d\tseek\tout\tSam.\tAnd\twho\twouldn\u2019t? \u201cAnother\tluncheon\twith\tArobynn?\u201d\tSam\tasked,\tbut\tLysandra\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\tgo of\t his\t hands.\t Madam\t Clarisse\t gave\t Celaena\t a\t curt\t nod\t as\t she\t bustled\t past, heading\t straight\t for\t Arobynn\u2019s\t study.\t The\t brothel\t madam\t and\t the\t King\t of\t the Assassins\t had\t been\t friends\t for\t as\t long\t as\t Celaena\t had\t been\t here,\t and\t Clarisse had\tnever\tsaid\tmore\tthan\ta\tfew\twords\tto\ther. \u201cOh,\t no\u2014we\u2019re\t here\t for\t tea.\t Arobynn\t promised\t a\t silver\t tea\t service,\u201d","Lysandra\t said,\t her\t words\t somehow\t feeling\t tossed\t in\t Celaena\u2019s\t direction.\t \u201cYou must\tjoin\tus,\tSam.\u201d Ordinarily,\t Celaena\t would\t have\t bitten\t the\t girl\u2019s\t head\t off\t for\t the\t insult. Lysandra\twas\tstill\tgrasping\tSam\u2019s\thands. As\tif\the\tsensed\tit,\tSam\twriggled\this\tfingers\taway.\t\u201cI\u2014\u201d\the\tstarted. \u201cYou\tshould\tgo,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid.\tLysandra\tlooked\tbetween\tthem.\t\u201cI\thave\twork to\tdo,\tanyway.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tget\tto\tbe\tthe\tbest\tsimply\tby\tlying\ton\tmy\tback\tall\tday.\u201d\tA cheap\t shot,\t but\t Lysandra\u2019s\t eyes\t flashed.\t Celaena\t gave\t her\t a\t razor-sharp\t smile. Not\t that\t she\t had\t wanted\t to\t keep\t talking\t to\t Sam,\t or\t invite\t him\t to\t listen\t to\t her practice\t the\t music\t he\u2019d\t gotten\t her,\t or\t spend\t any\t more\t time\t with\t him\t than\t was absolutely\tnecessary. He\tswallowed.\t\u201cHave\tlunch\twith\tme,\tCelaena.\u201d Lysandra\tclicked\ther\ttongue\tand\tstrode\toff\tmuttering,\t\u201cWhy\twould\tyou\twant to\thave\tlunch\twith\ther?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tbusy,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\ta\tlie;\tshe\tdid\tstill\thave\tto\tfinalize\ther\tplan to\tbreak\tinto\tthe\thouse\tto\tfind\tout\tmore\tabout\tDoneval\u2019s\tdocuments.\tShe\tjerked her\tchin\ttoward\tLysandra\tand\tthe\tsitting\troom\tbeyond\ther.\t\u201cGo\tenjoy\tyourself.\u201d Without\twanting\tto\tsee\twhat\the\tchose,\tshe\tkept\ther\teyes\ton\tthe\tmarble\tfloors, the\tteal\tdrapes,\tand\tthe\tgilded\tceiling\tas\tshe\twalked\tto\ther\troom. The\twalls\tof\tDoneval\u2019s\thouse\twere\tunguarded.\tWherever\the\u2019d\tgone\ttonight\u2014 from\t the\t look\t of\t his\t clothes,\t probably\t to\t the\t theater\t or\t a\t party\u2014he\u2019d\t taken several\tof\this\tguards\twith\thim,\tthough\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tcounted\this\thulking\tbodyguard in\ttheir\tranks.\tPerhaps\tthe\tbodyguard\thad\tthe\tnight\toff.\tIt\tstill\tleft\tseveral\tguards patrolling\tthe\tgrounds,\tnot\tto\tmention\twhoever\twas\tinside. While\tshe\tloathed\tthe\tthought\tof\tgetting\ther\tnew\tblack\tsuit\twet,\tCelaena\twas grateful\tfor\tthe\train\tthat\thad\tstarted\tagain\tat\tsundown,\teven\tif\tit\tmeant\tforgoing her\tusual\tmask\tin\torder\tto\tkeep\ther\tweather-limited\tsenses\topen.\tThankfully,\tthe heavy\t downpour\t also\t meant\t that\t the\t guard\t on\t the\t side\t of\t the\t house\t didn\u2019t\t even notice\t her\t slipping\t right\t past\t him.\t The\t second\t floor\t was\t fairly\t high\t up,\t but\t the window\twas\tdarkened,\tand\tthe\tlatch\twas\teasily\tunlocked\tfrom\tthe\toutside.\tShe\u2019d mapped\t the\t house\t already.\t If\t she\t was\t correct\u2014and\t she\t was\t certain\t she\t was\u2014 that\twindow\tled\tright\tinto\tthe\tsecond-floor\tstudy. Listening\tcarefully,\tshe\twaited\tuntil\tthe\tguard\twas\tlooking\tthe\tother\tway,\tand began\tto\tclimb.\tHer\tnew\tboots\tfound\ttheir\tgrip\ton\tthe\tstone,\tand\ther\tfingers\thad no\t trouble\t at\t all\t seeking\t out\t cracks.\t The\t suit\t was\t a\t little\t heavier\t than\t her\t usual tunic,\tbut\twith\tthe\tbuilt-in\tblades\tin\tthe\tgauntlets,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tadditional","encumbrance\t of\t a\t sword\t on\t her\t back\t or\t daggers\t at\t her\t waist.\t There\t were\t even two\tknives\tbuilt\tinto\ther\tboots.\tThis\twas\tone\tgift\tfrom\tArobynn\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tget\ta lot\tof\tuse\tout\tof. But\t while\t the\t rain\t quieted\t and\t clouded\t her,\t it\t also\t masked\t the\t sound\t of anyone\tapproaching.\tShe\tkept\ther\teyes\tand\tears\twide\topen,\tbut\tno\tother\tguards rounded\tthe\tcorner\tof\tthe\thouse.\tThe\tadditional\trisk\twas\tworth\tit.\tNow\tthat\tshe knew\t what\t time\t the\t meeting\t would\t take\t place,\t she\t had\t two\t days\t to\t gather\t as much\tspecific\tinformation\tas\tshe\tcould\tabout\tthe\tdocuments,\tnamely\thow\tmany pages\tthere\twere\tand\twhere\tDoneval\thid\tthem.\tIn\ta\tfew\tmoments,\tshe\twas\tat\tthe sill\t of\t the\t study\t window.\t The\t guard\t below\t didn\u2019t\t even\t look\t up\t at\t the\t house towering\tbehind\thim.\tTop-notch\tguards\tindeed. One\tglance\tinside\tshowed\ta\tdarkened\troom\u2014a\tdesk\tlittered\twith\tpapers,\tand nothing\telse.\tHe\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tso\tfoolish\tas\tto\tleave\tthe\tlists\tout\tin\tplain\tsight,\tbut \u2026 Celaena\t hauled\t herself\t onto\t the\t ledge,\t and\t the\t slender\t knife\t from\t her\t boot gleamed\tdully\tas\tit\twedged\tinto\tthe\tslight\tgap\tbetween\tthe\twindow\tdoors.\tTwo angled\tjabs,\ta\tflick\tof\ther\twrist,\tand\u2014 She\t eased\t the\t window\t open,\t praying\t for\t silent\t hinges.\t One\t of\t them\t creaked quietly,\tbut\tthe\tother\tswung\taway\twithout\ta\tsound.\tShe\tslid\tinto\tthe\tstudy,\tboots quiet\t on\t the\t ornate\t rug.\t Carefully,\t holding\t her\t breath,\t she\t eased\t the\t windows shut\tagain. She\tsensed\tthe\tattack\ta\theartbeat\tbefore\tit\thappened.","CHAPTER 7 Celaena\t whirled\t and\t ducked,\t the\t other\t knife\t from\t her\t boot\t instantly\t in\t her hand,\tand\tthe\tguard\twent\tdown\twith\ta\tgroan.\tShe\tstruck\tfast\tas\tan\tasp\u2014a\tmove she\u2019d\t learned\t in\t the\t Red\t Desert.\t As\t she\t yanked\t the\t knife\t from\t his\t thigh,\t hot blood\tpumped\tonto\ther\thand.\tAnother\tguard\tswiped\ta\tsword\tat\ther,\tbut\tshe\tmet it\twith\tboth\ther\tknives\tbefore\tkicking\thim\tsquarely\tin\tthe\tstomach.\tHe\tstaggered back,\t yet\t not\t fast\t enough\t to\t escape\t the\t blow\t to\t his\t head\t that\t knocked\t him\t out. Another\t maneuver\t the\t Mute\t Master\t had\t taught\t her\t while\t she\u2019d\t been\t studying how\t the\t desert\t animals\t moved.\t In\t the\t darkness\t of\t the\t room,\t she\t felt\t the reverberations\tas\tthe\tguard\u2019s\tbody\tslammed\tinto\tthe\tfloor. But\t there\t were\t others,\t and\t she\t counted\t three\t more\u2014three\t more\t grunting\t and moaning\t as\t they\t crumpled\t around\t her\u2014before\t someone\t grabbed\t her\t from behind.\t There\t was\t a\t vicious\t thump\t against\t her\t head,\t and\t something\t wet\t and putrid\tpressed\tto\ther\tface,\tand\tthen\u2014 Oblivion. Celaena\t awoke,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t open\t her\t eyes.\t She\t kept\t her\t breathing\t steady, even\tas\tshe\tinhaled\tthe\treek\tof\tfilth\tand\tthe\tdamp,\trotten\tair\taround\ther.\tAnd\tshe kept\ther\tears\topen,\teven\tas\tshe\theard\tthe\tchuckle\tof\tmale\tvoices\tand\tthe\tgurgle of\t water.\t She\t kept\t very\t still,\t even\t as\t she\t felt\t the\t ropes\t that\t bound\t her\t to\t the chair,\tand\tthe\twater\tthat\twas\talready\tup\tto\ther\tcalves.\tShe\twas\tin\tthe\tsewer. Splashes\tapproached\u2014heavy\tenough\tthat\tthe\tsewer\twater\tshowered\ther\tlap. \u201cI\tthink\tthat\u2019s\tenough\tsleeping,\u201d\tsaid\ta\tdeep\tvoice.\tA\tpowerful\thand\tslapped her\tcheek.\tThrough\tstinging\teyes,\tshe\tfound\tthe\thatchet-hewn\tface\tof\tDoneval\u2019s bodyguard\t smiling\t at\t her.\t \u201cHello,\t lovely.\t Thought\t we\t didn\u2019t\t notice\t you\t spying on\tus\tfor\tdays,\tdid\tyou?\tYou\tmight\tbe\tgood,\tbut\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tinvisible.\u201d Behind\thim,\tfour\tguards\tloitered\tby\tan\tiron\tdoor\u2014and\tbeyond\tit\twas\tanother door,\t through\t which\t she\t could\t see\t a\t set\t of\t steps\t that\t led\t upward.\t It\t must\t be\t a door\tinto\tthe\tcellar\tof\tthe\thouse.\tSeveral\tof\tthe\tolder\thouses\tin\tRifthold\thad\tsuch","doors:\t escape\t routes\t during\t wars,\t ways\t to\t sneak\t in\t scandal-worthy\t guests,\t or merely\tan\teasy\tway\tto\tdeposit\tthe\thousehold\u2019s\twaste.\tThe\tdouble\tdoors\twere\tto keep\t out\t the\t water\u2014airtight,\t and\t made\t long\t ago\t by\t skilled\t craftsmen\t who\t had used\tmagic\tto\tcoat\tthe\tthresholds\twith\twater-repellent\tspells. \u201cThere\t are\t a\t lot\t of\t rooms\t to\t break\t into\t in\t this\t house,\u201d\t the\t bodyguard\t said. \u201cWhy\u2019d\tyou\tchoose\tthe\tupstairs\tstudy?\tAnd\twhere\u2019s\tyour\tfriend?\u201d She\t gave\t him\t a\t crooked\t grin,\t all\t the\t while\t taking\t in\t the\t cavernous\t sewer around\t her.\t The\t water\t was\t rising.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t think\t about\t what\t was floating\tin\tit. \u201cWill\t this\t be\t an\t interrogation,\t then\t torture,\t then\t death?\u201d\t she\t asked\t him.\t \u201cOr am\tI\tgetting\tthe\torder\twrong?\u201d The\tman\tgrinned\tright\tback\tat\ther.\t\u201cSmart-ass.\tI\tlike\tit.\u201d\tHis\taccent\twas\tthick, but\t she\t understood\t him\t well\t enough.\t He\t braced\t his\t hands\t on\t either\t arm\t of\t her chair.\t With\t her\t own\t arms\t bound\t behind\t her\t back,\t she\t only\t had\t the\t freedom\t to move\ther\tface.\t\u201cWho\tsent\tyou?\u201d Her\t heart\t beat\t wildly,\t but\t her\t smile\t didn\u2019t\t fade.\t Withstanding\t torture\t was\t a lesson\t she\u2019d\t learned\t long\t ago.\t \u201cWhy\t do\t you\t assume\t anyone\t sent\t me?\t Can\u2019t\t a girl\tbe\tindependent?\u201d The\twooden\tchair\tgroaned\tunder\this\tweight\tas\the\tleaned\tso\tclose\ttheir\tnoses were\talmost\ttouching.\tShe\ttried\tnot\tto\tinhale\this\thot\tbreath.\t\u201cWhy\telse\twould\ta little\t bitch\t like\t you\t break\t into\t this\t house?\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t you\u2019re\t after\t jewels\t or gold.\u201d She\t felt\t her\t nostrils\t flare.\t But\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t make\t her\t move\u2014not\t until\t she knew\tshe\thad\tno\tchance\tto\tglean\tinformation\tfrom\thim. \u201cIf\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t torture\t me,\u201d\t she\t drawled,\t \u201cthen\t get\t it\t started.\t I\t don\u2019t particularly\tenjoy\tthe\tsmell\tdown\there.\u201d The\t man\t pulled\t back,\t his\t grin\t unfaltering.\t \u201cOh,\t we\u2019re\t not\t going\t to\t torture you.\tDo\tyou\tknow\thow\tmany\tspies\tand\tthieves\tand\tassassins\thave\ttried\tto\ttake down\t Doneval?\t We\u2019re\t beyond\t asking\t questions.\t If\t you\t don\u2019t\t want\t to\t talk,\t then fine.\tDon\u2019t\ttalk.\tWe\u2019ve\tlearned\thow\tto\tdeal\twith\tyou\tfilth.\u201d \u201cPhilip,\u201d\tone\tof\tthe\tguards\tsaid,\tpointing\twith\this\tsword\tdown\tthe\tdark\ttunnel of\tthe\tsewer.\t\u201cWe\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tgo.\u201d \u201cRight,\u201d\t Philip\t said,\t turning\t back\t to\t Celaena.\t \u201cSee,\t I\t figure\t if\t someone\t was foolish\tenough\tto\tsend\tyou\there,\tthen\tyou\tmust\tbe\texpendable.\tAnd\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink anyone\t will\t look\t for\t you\t when\t they\t flood\t the\t sewers,\t not\t even\t your\t friend.\t In fact,\tmost\tpeople\tare\tstaying\toff\tthe\tstreets\tright\tnow.\tYou\tcapital\tdwellers\tdon\u2019t like\tgetting\tyour\tfeet\tdirty,\tdo\tyou?\u201d Her\theart\tpounded\tharder,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tbreak\this\tgaze.\t\u201cToo\tbad\tthey\twon\u2019t","get\tall\tthe\ttrash,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tbatting\ther\teyelashes. \u201cNo,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cbut\tthey\u2019ll\tget\tyou.\tOr\tat\tleast,\tthe\triver\twill\tget\tyour\tremains, if\tthe\trats\thave\tleft\tenough.\u201d\tPhilip\tpatted\ther\tcheek\thard\tenough\tto\tsting.\tAs\tif the\tsewers\thad\theard\thim,\ta\trush\tof\twater\tbegan\tsounding\tfrom\tthe\tdarkness. Oh,\tno.\tNo. He\t splashed\t back\t to\t the\t landing\t where\t the\t guards\t stood.\t She\t watched\t them stride\tout\tthrough\tthe\tsecond\tdoor,\tthen\tup\tthe\tstairs,\tthen\u2014 \u201cEnjoy\tyour\tswim,\u201d\tPhilip\tsaid,\tand\tslammed\tthe\tiron\tdoor\tshut\tbehind\thim. Darkness\t and\t water.\t In\t the\t moments\t it\t took\t for\t her\t to\t adjust\t to\t the\t dim streetlight\t leaking\t in\t through\t the\t grate\t high,\t high\t above,\t water\t gushed\t against her\tlegs.\tIt\twas\tup\tto\ther\tlap\tin\tan\tinstant. She\tcursed\tviolently\tand\twriggled\thard\tagainst\tthe\tropes.\tBut\tas\tthe\tropes\tcut into\t her\t arms,\t she\t remembered:\t the\t built-in\t blades.\t It\t was\t a\t testament\t to\t the inventor\u2019s\t skill\t that\t Philip\t hadn\u2019t\t found\t them,\t even\t though\t he\t must\t have searched\ther.\tYet\tthe\tbindings\twere\talmost\ttoo\ttight\tfor\ther\tto\trelease\tthem\t\u2026 She\t twisted\t her\t wrists,\t fighting\t for\t any\t shred\t of\t space\t to\t flick\t her\t hand.\t The water\tpooled\taround\ther\twaist.\tThey\tmust\thave\tbuilt\tthe\tsewer\tdam\tat\tthe\tother end\t of\t the\t city;\t it\t would\t take\t a\t few\t minutes\t before\t it\t completely\t flooded\t this part. The\t rope\t wouldn\u2019t\t budge,\t but\t she\t flicked\t her\t wrist,\t doing\t as\t the\t master tinkerer\thad\ttold\ther,\tagain\tand\tagain.\tThen,\tat\tlast,\tthe\twhine\tand\tsplash\tof\tthe blade\tas\tit\tshot\tout.\tPain\tdanced\tdown\tthe\tside\tof\ther\thand,\tand\tshe\tswore.\tShe\u2019d cut\therself\ton\tthe\tdamn\tthing.\tThankfully,\tit\tdidn\u2019t\tfeel\tdeep. Immediately\tshe\tstarted\ton\tthe\tropes,\ther\tarms\taching\twhile\tshe\ttwisted\tthem as\t far\t as\t she\t could\t to\t angle\t against\t the\t bindings.\t They\t should\t have\t used\t iron shackles. There\twas\ta\tsudden\trelease\tof\ttension\taround\ther\tmiddle,\tand\tshe\talmost\tfell face-first\tinto\tthe\tswirling\tblack\twater\tas\tthe\trope\tgave.\tTwo\theartbeats\tlater,\tthe rest\tof\tthe\tropes\twere\toff,\tthough\tshe\tcringed\tas\tshe\tplunged\ther\thands\tinto\tthe filthy\twater\tto\tcut\ther\tfeet\tfrom\tthe\tchair\tlegs. When\tshe\tstood,\tthe\twater\twas\tat\ther\tthighs.\tAnd\tcold.\tIcy,\ticy\tcold.\tShe\tfelt things\t sliding\t against\t her\t as\t she\t splashed\t for\t the\t landing,\t struggling\t to\t keep upright\t in\t the\t fierce\t current.\t Rats\t were\t being\t swept\t past\t by\t the\t dozen,\t their squeals\t of\t terror\t barely\t audible\t over\t the\t roar\t of\t the\t water.\t By\t the\t time\t she reached\t the\t stone\t steps,\t the\t water\t was\t already\t pooling\t there,\t too.\t She\t tried\t the iron\thandle.\tIt\twas\tlocked.\tShe\ttried\tto\tplunge\tone\tof\ther\tblades\tin\talongside\tthe","threshold,\tbut\tit\tbounced\tback.\tThe\tdoor\twas\tsealed\tso\ttightly\tthat\tnothing\twas getting\tthrough. She\twas\ttrapped. Celaena\t looked\t down\t the\t length\t of\t the\t sewer.\t Rain\t was\t still\t pouring\t in\t from above,\t but\t the\t streetlights\t were\t bright\t enough\t that\t she\t could\t see\t the\t curved walls.\tThere\thad\tto\tbe\tsome\tladder\tto\tthe\tstreet\u2014there\thad\tto\tbe. She\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tany\u2014not\tnear\ther.\tAnd\tthe\tgrates\twere\tso\thigh\tup\tthat\tshe\u2019d have\tto\twait\tuntil\tthe\tsewer\tfilled\tentirely\tbefore\ttrying\ther\tluck.\tBut\tthe\tcurrent was\tso\tstrong\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tprobably\tbe\tswept\taway. \u201cThink,\u201d\tshe\twhispered.\t\u201cThink,\tthink.\u201d Water\trose\thigher\ton\tthe\tlanding,\tlapping\tnow\tat\ther\tankles. She\t kept\t her\t breathing\t calm.\t Panicking\t would\t accomplish\t nothing.\t \u201cThink.\u201d She\tscanned\tthe\tsewer. There\tmight\tbe\ta\tladder,\tbut\tit\twould\tbe\tfarther\tdown.\tThat\tmeant\tbraving\tthe water\u2014and\tthe\tdark. On\ther\tleft,\tthe\twater\trose\tendlessly,\trushing\tin\tfrom\tthe\tother\thalf\tof\tthe\tcity. She\t looked\t to\t her\t right.\t Even\t if\t there\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t grate,\t she\t might\t make\t it\t to\t the Avery. It\twas\ta\tvery,\tvery\tbig\t\u201cmight.\u201d But\tit\twas\tbetter\tthan\twaiting\there\tto\tdie. Celaena\t sheathed\t her\t blades\t and\t plunged\t into\t the\t smelly,\t oily\t water.\t Her throat\t closed\t up,\t but\t she\t willed\t herself\t to\t keep\t from\t vomiting.\t She\t was\t not swimming\t through\t the\t entire\t capital\u2019s\t refuse.\t She\t was\t not\t swimming\t through rat-infested\twaters.\tShe\twas\tnot\tgoing\tto\tdie. The\t current\t was\t faster\t than\t she\t expected,\t and\t she\t pulled\t against\t it.\t Grates passed\t overhead,\t ever\t nearer,\t but\t still\t too\t distant.\t And\t then\t there,\t on\t the\t right! Midway\t up\t the\t wall,\t several\t feet\t above\t the\t water\t line,\t was\t a\t small\t tunnel opening.\tIt\twas\tmade\tfor\ta\tsolitary\tworker.\tRainwater\tleaked\tout\tover\tthe\tlip\tof the\ttunnel\u2014somewhere,\tit\thad\tto\tlead\tto\tthe\tstreet. She\t swam\t hard\t for\t the\t wall,\t fighting\t to\t keep\t the\t current\t from\t sweeping\t her past\tthe\ttunnel.\tShe\thit\tthe\twall\tand\tclung\tto\tit,\teasing\tdown\tthe\tside.\tThe\ttunnel was\thigh\tup\tenough\tthat\tshe\thad\tto\treach,\ther\tfingers\taching\tas\tthey\tdug\tinto\tthe stone.\t But\t she\t had\t a\t grip,\t and\t even\t though\t pain\t lanced\t through\t her\t nails,\t she hauled\therself\tinto\tthe\tnarrow\tpassage. It\t was\t so\t small\t inside\t that\t she\t had\t to\t lie\t flat\t on\t her\t belly.\t And\t it\t was\t full\t of mud\t and\t the\t gods\t knew\t what\t else,\t but\t there\u2014far\t ahead\u2014was\t a\t shaft\t of lamplight.\t An\t upward\t tunnel\t that\t led\t to\t the\t street.\t Behind\t her,\t the\t sewer continued\tflooding,\tthe\troaring\twaters\tnear\tdeafening.\tIf\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thurry,\tshe\u2019d","be\ttrapped. With\tthe\tceiling\tso\tlow,\tshe\thad\tto\tkeep\ther\thead\tdown,\ther\tface\tnearly\tin\tthe putrid\t mud\t as\t she\t stretched\t out\t her\t arms\t and\t pulled.\t Inch\t by\t inch,\t she\t dragged herself\tthrough\tthe\ttunnel,\tstaring\tat\tthe\tlight\tahead. Then\tthe\twater\treached\tthe\tlevel\tof\tthe\ttunnel.\tWithin\tmoments,\tit\tswept\tpast her\tfeet,\tpast\ther\tlegs,\tthen\ther\tabdomen,\tand\tthen\ther\tface.\tShe\tcrawled\tfaster, not\t needing\t light\t to\t tell\t how\t bloody\t her\t hands\t were.\t Each\t bit\t of\t grit\t inside\t the cuts\t was\t like\t fire.\t Go,\t she\t thought\t to\t herself\t with\t each\t thrust\t and\t pull\t of\t her arms,\t each\t kick\t of\t her\t feet.\t Go,\t go,\t go.\t The\t word\t was\t the\t only\t thing\t that\t kept her\tfrom\tscreaming.\tBecause\tonce\tshe\tstarted\tscreaming\t\u2026\tthat\twas\twhen\tshe\u2019d concede\tto\tdeath. The\twater\tin\tthe\tpassage\twas\ta\tfew\tinches\tdeep\tby\tthe\ttime\tshe\thit\tthe\tupward tunnel,\t and\t she\t nearly\t sobbed\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t the\t ladder.\t It\t was\t probably\t fifteen feet\t to\t the\t surface.\t Through\t the\t circular\t holes\t in\t the\t large\t grate\t she\t spied\t a hovering\t streetlamp.\t She\t forgot\t the\t pain\t in\t her\t hands\t as\t she\t climbed\t the\t rusted ladder,\t willing\t it\t not\t to\t break.\t Water\t filled\t the\t tunnel\t bottom,\t swirling\t with debris. She\t was\t quickly\t at\t the\t top,\t and\t even\t allowed\t herself\t a\t little\t smile\t as\t she pushed\tagainst\tthe\tround\tgrate. But\tit\tdidn\u2019t\tbudge. She\tbalanced\ther\tfeet\ton\tthe\trickety\tladder\tand\tpushed\twith\tboth\thands.\tIt\tstill didn\u2019t\t move.\t She\t angled\t her\t body\t on\t the\t upper\t rung\t so\t that\t her\t back\t and shoulders\t braced\t against\t the\t grate\t and\t threw\t herself\t into\t it.\t Nothing.\t Not\t a groan,\t not\t a\t hint\t of\t metal\t giving\t way.\t It\t had\t to\t be\t rusted\t shut.\t She\t pounded against\t it\t until\t she\t felt\t something\t crack\t in\t her\t hand.\t Her\t vision\t flashed\t with pain,\tblack-and-white\tsparks\tdancing,\tand\tshe\tmade\tsure\tthe\tbone\twasn\u2019t\tbroken before\tpounding\tagain.\tNothing.\tNothing. The\twater\twas\tclose\tnow,\tits\tmuddy\tfroth\tso\tnear\tthat\tshe\tcould\treach\tdown and\ttouch\tit. She\tthrew\therself\tinto\tthe\tgrate\tone\tlast\ttime.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\tmove. If\t people\t were\t off\t the\t streets\t until\t the\t mandatory\t flooding\t was\t over\t \u2026 Rainwater\t poured\t into\t her\t mouth,\t her\t eyes,\t her\t nose.\t She\t banged\t against\t the metal,\tpraying\tfor\tanyone\tto\thear\ther\tover\tthe\troar\tof\tthe\train,\tfor\tanyone\tto\tsee the\t muddy,\t bloodied\t fingers\t straining\t upward\t from\t an\t ordinary\t city\t grate.\t The water\t hit\t her\t boots.\t She\t shoved\t her\t fingers\t through\t the\t grate\t holes\t and\t began screaming. She\t screamed\t until\t her\t lungs\t burned,\t screamed\t for\t help,\t for\t anyone\t to\t hear. And\tthen\u2014","\u201cCelaena?\u201d It\twas\t a\tshout,\t and\t it\t was\tclose,\t and\tCelaena\t sobbed\twhen\t she\theard\t Sam\u2019s voice,\t nearly\t muffled\t by\t the\t rain\t and\t roaring\t waters\t beneath\t her.\t He\t said\t he\u2019d come\tby\tafter\thelping\twith\tLysandra\u2019s\tparty\u2014he\tmust\thave\tbeen\ton\this\tway\tto or\t from\t Doneval\u2019s\t house.\t She\t wriggled\t her\t fingers\t through\t the\t grate\t hole, pounding\twith\ther\tother\thand\tagainst\tthe\tgrate.\t\u201cHERE!\tIn\tthe\tsewer!\u201d She\t could\t feel\t the\t rumble\t of\t steps,\t and\t then\t \u2026\t \u201cHoly\t gods.\u201d\t Sam\u2019s\t face swam\t into\t view\t through\t the\t grate.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t been\t looking\t for\t you\t for\t twenty minutes,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cHold\t on.\u201d\t His\t callused\t fingers\t latched\t onto\t the\t holes.\t She saw\tthem\tgo\twhite\twith\tstrain,\tsaw\this\tface\tturn\tred,\tthen\t\u2026\tHe\tswore. The\twater\thad\treached\ther\tcalves.\t\u201cGet\tme\tthe\thell\tout\tof\there.\u201d \u201cShove\t with\t me,\u201d\t he\t breathed,\t and\t as\t he\t pulled,\t she\t pushed.\t The\t grate wouldn\u2019t\t move.\t They\t tried\t again,\t and\t again.\t The\t water\t hit\t her\t knees.\t By whatever\t luck,\t the\t grate\t was\t far\t enough\t away\t from\t Doneval\u2019s\t house\t that\t the guards\tcouldn\u2019t\thear\tthem. \u201cGet\t as\t high\t as\t you\t can,\u201d\t he\t barked.\t She\t already\t was,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t say anything.\tShe\tcaught\tthe\tflash\tof\ta\tknife\tand\theard\tthe\tscrape\tof\ta\tblade\tagainst the\tgrate.\tHe\twas\ttrying\tto\tloosen\tthe\tmetal\tby\tusing\tthe\tblade\tas\ta\tlever.\t\u201cPush on\tthe\tother\tside.\u201d She\tpushed.\tDark\twater\tlapped\tat\ther\tthighs. The\tknife\tsnapped\tin\ttwo. Sam\tswore\tviolently\tand\tbegan\tyanking\ton\tthe\tgrate\tcover\tagain.\t\u201cCome\ton,\u201d he\twhispered,\tmore\tto\thimself\tthan\tto\ther.\t\u201cCome\ton.\u201d The\twater\twas\taround\ther\twaist\tnow,\tand\tover\ther\tchest\ta\tmoment\tafter\tthat. Rain\t continued\t streaming\t in\t through\t the\t grate,\t blinding\t her\t senses.\t \u201cSam,\u201d\t she said. \u201cI\u2019m\ttrying!\u201d \u201cSam,\u201d\tshe\trepeated. \u201cNo,\u201d\the\tspat,\thearing\ther\ttone.\t\u201cNo!\u201d He\t began\t screaming\t for\t help\t then.\t Celaena\t pressed\t her\t face\t to\t one\t of\t the holes\tin\tthe\tgrate.\tHelp\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tcome\u2014not\tfast\tenough. She\u2019d\tnever\tgiven\tmuch\tthought\tto\thow\tshe\u2019d\tdie,\tbut\tdrowning\tsomehow\tfelt fitting.\t It\t was\t a\t river\t in\t her\t native\t country\t of\t Terrasen\t that\t had\t almost\t claimed her\t life\t nine\t years\t ago\u2014and\t now\t it\t seemed\t that\t whatever\t bargain\t she\u2019d\t struck with\tthe\tgods\tthat\tnight\twas\tfinally\tover.\tThe\twater\twould\thave\ther,\tone\tway\tor another,\tno\tmatter\thow\tlong\tit\ttook. \u201cPlease,\u201d\tSam\tbegged\tas\the\tbeat\tand\tyanked\ton\tthe\tgrate,\tthen\ttried\tto\twedge another\tdagger\tunder\tthe\tlid.\t\u201cPlease\tdon\u2019t.\u201d","She\tknew\the\twasn\u2019t\tspeaking\tto\ther. The\twater\thit\ther\tneck. \u201cPlease,\u201d\t Sam\t moaned,\t his\t fingers\t now\t touching\t hers.\t She\u2019d\t have\t one\t last breath.\tHer\tlast\twords. \u201cTake\tmy\tbody\thome\tto\tTerrasen,\tSam,\u201d\tshe\twhispered.\tAnd\twith\ta\tgasping breath,\tshe\twent\tunder.","CHAPTER 8 \u201cBreathe!\u201d\tsomeone\twas\troaring\tas\tthey\tpounded\ton\ther\tchest.\t\u201cBreathe!\u201d And\tjust\tlike\tthat,\ther\tbody\tseized,\tand\twater\trushed\tout\tof\ther.\tShe\tvomited onto\tthe\tcobblestones,\tcoughing\tso\thard\tshe\tconvulsed. \u201cOh,\t gods,\u201d\t Sam\t moaned.\t Through\t her\t streaming\t eyes,\t she\t found\t him kneeling\tbeside\ther,\this\thead\thung\tbetween\this\tshoulders\tas\the\tbraced\this\tpalms on\t his\t knees.\t Behind\t him,\t two\t women\t were\t exchanging\t relieved,\t yet\t confused, expressions.\t One\t of\t them\t held\t a\t crowbar.\t Beside\t her\t lay\t the\t grate\t cover,\t and around\tthem\tspilled\twater\tfrom\tthe\tsewer. She\tvomited\tagain. She\ttook\tthree\tbaths\tin\ta\trow\tand\tate\tfood\tonly\twith\tthe\tintention\tof\tvomiting it\t up\t to\t clear\t out\t any\t trace\t of\t the\t vile\t liquid\t inside\t her.\t She\t plunged\t her\t torn, aching\thands\tinto\ta\tvat\tof\thard\tliquor,\tbiting\tdown\ther\tscream\tbut\tsavoring\tthe disinfectant\tburning\tthrough\twhatever\thad\tbeen\tin\tthat\twater.\tOnce\tthat\tproved calming\tto\ther\trepulsion,\tshe\tordered\ther\tbathtub\tfilled\twith\tthe\tsame\tliquor\tand submerged\therself\tin\tit,\ttoo. She\u2019d\t never\t feel\t clean\t again.\t Even\t after\t her\t fourth\t bath\u2014which\t had\t been immediately\t after\t her\t liquor\t bath\u2014she\t felt\t like\t grime\t coated\t every\t part\t of\t her. Arobynn\thad\tcooed\tand\tfussed,\tbut\tshe\u2019d\tordered\thim\tout.\tShe\tordered\teveryone out.\t She\u2019d\t take\t another\t two\t baths\t in\t the\t morning,\t she\t promised\t herself\t as\t she climbed\tinto\tbed. There\t was\t a\t knock\t on\t her\t door,\t and\t she\t almost\t barked\t at\t the\t person\t to\t go away,\tbut\tSam\u2019s\thead\tpopped\tin.\tThe\tclock\tread\tpast\ttwelve,\tbut\this\teyes\twere still\talert.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tawake,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tslipping\tinside\twithout\tso\tmuch\tas\ta\tnod\tof permission\t from\t her.\t Not\t that\t he\t needed\t it.\t He\u2019d\t saved\t her\t life.\t She\t was\t in\t his eternal\tdebt. On\tthe\tway\thome,\the\u2019d\ttold\ther\tthat\tafter\tLysandra\u2019s\tBidding\trehearsal,\the\u2019d gone\t to\t Doneval\u2019s\t house\t to\t see\t if\t she\t needed\t any\t help.\t But\t when\t he\t got\t there,","the\t house\t was\t quiet\u2014except\t for\t the\t guards\t who\t kept\t sniggering\t about something\t that\t had\t happened.\t He\u2019d\t been\t searching\t the\t surrounding\t streets\t for any\tsign\tof\ther\twhen\the\theard\ther\tscreaming. She\t looked\t at\t him\t from\t where\t she\t lay\t in\t bed.\t \u201cWhat\t do\t you\t want?\u201d\t Not\t the most\t gracious\t words\t to\t someone\t who\t had\t saved\t her\t life.\t But,\t hell,\t she\t was supposed\tto\tbe\tbetter\tthan\thim.\tHow\tcould\tshe\tsay\tshe\twas\tthe\tbest\twhen\tshe\u2019d needed\tSam\tto\trescue\ther?\tThe\tthought\tmade\ther\twant\tto\thit\thim. He\tjust\tsmiled\tslightly.\t\u201cI\twanted\tto\tsee\tif\tyou\twere\tfinally\tdone\twith\tall\tthe washing.\tThere\u2019s\tno\thot\twater\tleft.\u201d She\tfrowned.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\texpect\tme\tto\tapologize\tfor\tthat.\u201d \u201cDo\tI\tever\texpect\tyou\tto\tapologize\tfor\tanything?\u201d In\t the\t candlelight,\t the\t lovely\t panes\t of\t his\t face\t seemed\t velvet-smooth\t and inviting.\t \u201cYou\t could\t have\t let\t me\t die,\u201d\t she\t mused.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t surprised\t you\t weren\u2019t dancing\twith\tglee\tover\tthe\tgrate.\u201d He\t let\t out\t a\t low\t laugh\t that\t traveled\t along\t her\t limbs,\t warming\t her.\t \u201cNo\t one deserves\t that\t sort\t of\t death,\t Celaena.\t Not\t even\t you.\t And\t besides,\t I\t thought\t we were\tbeyond\tthat.\u201d She\tswallowed\thard,\tbut\twas\tunable\tto\tbreak\this\tgaze.\t\u201cThank\tyou\tfor\tsaving me.\u201d His\tbrows\trose.\tShe\u2019d\tsaid\tit\tonce\ton\ttheir\tway\tback,\tbut\tit\thad\tbeen\ta\tquick, breathless\tstring\tof\twords.\tThis\ttime,\tit\twas\tdifferent.\tThough\ther\tfingers\tached \u2014especially\t her\t broken\t nails\u2014she\t reached\t for\t his\t hand.\t \u201cAnd\t \u2026\t And\t I\u2019m sorry.\u201d\t She\t made\t herself\t look\t at\t him,\t even\t as\t his\t features\t crossed\t into incredulity.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tfor\tinvolving\tyou\tin\twhat\thappened\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay.\tAnd for\twhat\tArobynn\tdid\tto\tyou\tbecause\tof\tit.\u201d \u201cAh,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tas\tif\the\tsomehow\tunderstood\tsome\tgreat\tpuzzle.\tHe\texamined their\tlinked\thands,\tand\tshe\tquickly\tlet\tgo. The\tsilence\twas\tsuddenly\ttoo\tcharged,\this\tface\ttoo\tbeautiful\tin\tthe\tlight.\tShe lifted\t her\t chin\t and\t found\t him\t looking\t at\t the\t scar\t along\t her\t neck.\t The\t narrow ridge\t would\t fade\u2014someday.\t \u201cHer\t name\t was\t Ansel,\u201d\t she\t said,\t her\t throat tightening.\t\u201cShe\twas\tmy\tfriend.\u201d\tSam\tslowly\tsat\ton\tthe\tbed.\tAnd\tthen\tthe\twhole story\tcame\tout. Sam\tonly\tasked\tquestions\twhen\the\tneeded\tclarification.\tThe\tclock\tchimed\tone by\t the\t time\t she\t finished\t telling\t him\t about\t the\t final\t arrow\t she\u2019d\t fired\t at\t Ansel, and\t how,\t even\t with\t her\t heart\t breaking,\t she\u2019d\t given\t her\t friend\t an\t extra\t minute before\t releasing\t what\t would\t have\t been\t a\t killing\t shot.\t When\t she\t stopped speaking,\tSam\u2019s\teyes\twere\tbright\twith\tsorrow\tand\twonder. \u201cSo,\t that\t was\t my\t summer,\u201d\t she\t said\t with\t a\t shrug.\t \u201cA\t grand\t adventure\t for","Celaena\tSardothien,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\u201d But\the\tmerely\treached\tout\tand\tran\this\tfingers\tdown\tthe\tscar\ton\ther\tneck,\tas\tif he\t could\t somehow\t erase\t the\t wound.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\u201d\t he\t said.\t And\t she\t knew\t he meant\tit. \u201cSo\t am\t I,\u201d\t she\t murmured.\t She\t shifted,\t suddenly\t aware\t of\t how\t little\t her nightgown\t concealed.\t As\t if\t he\u2019d\t noticed,\t too,\t his\t hand\t dropped\t from\t her\t neck and\the\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u201cWell,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tour\tmission\tjust\tgot\ta\tlittle more\tcomplicated.\u201d \u201cOh?\tAnd\twhy\tis\tthat?\u201d She\t shook\t off\t the\t blush\t his\t touch\t had\t brought\t to\t her\t face\t and\t gave\t him\t a slow,\t wicked\t smile.\t Philip\t had\t no\t idea\t who\t he\u2019d\t tried\t to\t dispatch,\t or\t of\t the world\t of\t pain\t that\t was\t headed\t his\t way.\t You\t didn\u2019t\t try\t to\t drown\t Adarlan\u2019s Assassin\tin\ta\tsewer\tand\tget\taway\twith\tit.\tNot\tin\ta\tthousand\tlifetimes.\t\u201cBecause,\u201d she\tsaid,\t\u201cmy\tlist\tof\tpeople\tto\tkill\tis\tnow\tone\tperson\tlonger.\u201d","CHAPTER 9 She\tslept\tuntil\tnoon,\ttook\tthe\ttwo\tbaths\tshe\u2019d\tpromised\therself,\tand\tthen\twent to\tArobynn\u2019s\tstudy.\tHe\twas\tnursing\ta\tcup\tof\ttea\tas\tshe\topened\tthe\tdoor. \u201cI\u2019m\tsurprised\tto\tsee\tyou\tout\tof\tthe\tbathtub,\u201d\the\tsaid. Telling\tSam\tthe\tstory\tabout\ther\tmonth\tin\tthe\tRed\tDesert\thad\treminded\ther\tof why\t she\u2019d\t wanted\t so\t badly\t to\t come\t home\t this\t summer,\t and\t of\t what\t she\t had accomplished.\tShe\thad\tno\treason\tnow\tto\ttiptoe\taround\tArobynn\u2014not\tafter\twhat he\u2019d\tdone,\tand\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tthrough.\tSo\tCelaena\tmerely\tsmiled\tat\tthe\tKing of\tthe\tAssassins\tas\tshe\theld\topen\tthe\tdoor\tfor\tthe\tservants\toutside.\tThey\tcarried in\ta\theavy\ttrunk.\tThen\tanother.\tAnd\tanother. \u201cDo\tI\tdare\task?\u201d\tArobynn\tmassaged\this\ttemples. The\t servants\t hurried\t out,\t and\t Celaena\t shut\t the\t door\t behind\t them.\t Without\t a word,\tshe\topened\tthe\tlids\tof\tthe\ttrunks.\tGold\tshone\tin\tthe\tnoontime\tsun. She\t turned\t to\t Arobynn,\t clinging\t to\t the\t memory\t of\t what\t it\t had\t felt\t like\t to\t sit on\tthe\troof\tafter\tthe\tparty.\tHis\tface\twas\tunreadable. \u201cI\t think\t this\t covers\t my\t debt,\u201d\t she\t said,\t forcing\t herself\t to\t smile.\t \u201cAnd\t then some.\u201d Arobynn\tremained\tseated. She\t swallowed,\t suddenly\t feeling\t sick.\t Why\t had\t she\t thought\t this\t was\t a\t good idea? \u201cI\twant\tto\tkeep\tworking\twith\tyou,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tcarefully.\tHe\u2019d\tlooked\tat\ther\tlike this\tbefore\u2014on\tthe\tnight\the\u2019d\tbeaten\ther.\t\u201cBut\tyou\tdon\u2019t\town\tme\tanymore.\u201d His\t silver\t eyes\t flicked\t to\t the\t trunks,\t then\t to\t her.\t In\t a\t moment\t of\t silence\t that lasted\t forever,\t she\t stood\t still\t as\t he\t took\t her\t in.\t Then\t he\t smiled,\t a\t bit\t ruefully. \u201cCan\tyou\tblame\tme\tfor\thoping\tthat\tthis\tday\twould\tnever\tcome?\u201d She\talmost\tsagged\twith\trelief.\t\u201cI\tmean\tit:\tI\twant\tto\tkeep\tworking\twith\tyou.\u201d She\t knew\t in\t that\t moment\t that\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t him\t about\t the\t apartment\t and that\t she\t was\t moving\t out\u2014not\t right\t now.\t Small\t steps.\t Today,\t the\t debt.\t Perhaps in\t a\t few\t weeks,\t she\t could\t mention\t that\t she\t was\t leaving.\t Perhaps\t he\t wouldn\u2019t even\tcare\tthat\tshe\twas\tgetting\ther\town\thome.","\u201cAnd\tI\u2019ll\talways\tbe\thappy\tto\twork\twith\tyou\u201d\the\tsaid,\tbut\tremained\tseated.\tHe took\ta\tsip\tfrom\this\ttea.\t\u201cDo\tI\twant\tto\tknow\twhere\tthat\tmoney\tcame\tfrom?\u201d She\t became\t aware\t of\t the\t scar\t on\t her\t neck\t as\t she\t said,\t \u201cThe\t Mute\t Master. Payment\tfor\tsaving\this\tlife.\u201d Arobynn\t picked\t up\t the\t morning\t paper.\t \u201cWell,\t allow\t me\t to\t extend\t my congratulations.\u201d\tHe\tlooked\tat\ther\tover\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tpaper.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnow\ta\tfree woman.\u201d She\ttried\tnot\tto\tsmile.\tPerhaps\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tfree\tin\tthe\tentire\tsense\tof\tthe\tword, but\t at\t least\t he\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t able\t to\t wield\t the\t debt\t against\t her\t anymore.\t That would\tsuffice\tfor\tnow. \u201cGood\t luck\t with\t Doneval\t tomorrow\t night,\u201d\t he\t added.\t \u201cLet\t me\t know\t if\t you need\tany\thelp.\u201d \u201cAs\tlong\tas\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tcharge\tme\tfor\tit.\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\treturn\ther\tsmile,\tand\tset\tdown\tthe\tpaper.\t\u201cI\twould\tnever\tdo\tthat\tto you.\u201d\tSomething\tlike\thurt\tflickered\tin\this\teyes. Fighting\t her\t sudden\t desire\t to\t apologize,\t she\t left\t his\t study\t without\t another word. The\t walk\t back\t to\t her\t bedroom\t was\t long.\t She\u2019d\t expected\t to\t crow\t with\t glee when\tshe\tgave\thim\tthe\tmoney,\texpected\tto\tstrut\taround\tthe\tKeep.\tBut\tseeing\tthe way\the\u2019d\tlooked\tat\ther\tmade\tall\tthat\tgold\tfeel\t\u2026\tcheap. A\tglorious\tstart\tto\ther\tnew\tfuture. Though\t Celaena\t never\t wanted\t to\t set\t foot\t in\t the\t vile\t sewer\t again,\t she\t found herself\t back\t there\t that\t afternoon.\t There\t was\t still\t a\t river\t flowing\t through\t the tunnel,\tbut\tthe\tnarrow\twalkway\talongside\tit\twas\tdry,\teven\twith\tthe\train\tshower that\twas\tnow\tfalling\ton\tthe\tstreet\tabove\tthem. An\thour\tbefore,\tSam\thad\tjust\tshowed\tup\tat\ther\tbedroom,\tdressed\tand\tready\tto spy\t on\t Doneval\u2019s\t house.\t Now\t he\t crept\t behind\t her,\t saying\t nothing\t as\t they approached\t the\t iron\t door\t she\t remembered\t all\t too\t well.\t She\t set\t down\t her\t torch beside\tthe\tdoor\tand\tran\ther\thands\talong\tthe\tworn,\trusty\tsurface. \u201cWe\u2019ll\t have\t to\t get\t in\t this\t way\t tomorrow,\u201d\t she\t said,\t her\t voice\t barely\t audible above\tthe\tgurgle\tof\tthe\tsewer\triver.\t\u201cThe\tfront\tof\tthe\thouse\tis\ttoo\twell-guarded now.\u201d Sam\t traced\t a\t finger\t through\t the\t groove\t between\t the\t door\t and\t the\t threshold. \u201cAside\tfrom\tfinding\ta\tway\tto\thaul\ta\tbattering\tram\tdown\there,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\twe\u2019re getting\tthrough.\u201d She\tshot\thim\ta\tdark\tlook.\t\u201cYou\tcould\ttry\tknocking.\u201d","Sam\t laughed\t under\t his\t breath.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sure\t the\t guards\t would\t appreciate\t that. Maybe\t they\u2019d\t invite\t me\t in\t for\t an\t ale,\t too.\t That\t is,\t after\t they\t finished\t pumping my\tgut\tfull\tof\tarrows.\u201d\tHe\tpatted\tthe\tfirm\tplane\tof\this\tstomach.\tHe\twas\twearing the\tsuit\tArobynn\thad\tforced\thim\tto\tbuy,\tand\tshe\ttried\tnot\tto\tlook\ttoo\tclosely\tat how\twell\tit\tdisplayed\this\tform. \u201cSo\twe\tcan\u2019t\tget\tin\tthis\tdoor,\u201d\tshe\tmurmured,\tsliding\ther\thand\talong\tit\tagain. \u201cUnless\twe\tfigure\tout\twhen\tthe\tservants\tdump\tthe\ttrash.\u201d \u201cUnreliable,\u201d\the\tcountered,\tstill\tstudying\tthe\tdoor.\t\u201cThe\tservants\tmight\tempty the\ttrash\twhenever\tthey\tfeel\tlike\tit.\u201d She\tswore\tand\tglanced\tabout\tthe\tsewer.\tWhat\ta\thorrible\tplace\tto\thave\talmost died.\tShe\tcertainly\thoped\tthat\tshe\u2019d\trun\tinto\tPhilip\ttomorrow.\tThat\tarrogant\tass wouldn\u2019t\t see\t what\t was\t coming\t until\t she\t was\t right\t in\t front\t of\t him.\t He\t hadn\u2019t even\trecognized\ther\tfrom\tthe\tparty\tthe\tother\tnight. She\t smiled\t slowly.\t What\t better\t way\t to\t get\t back\t at\t Philip\t than\t to\t break\t in through\tthe\tvery\tdoor\the\u2019d\trevealed\tto\ther?\t\u201cThen\tone\tof\tus\twill\tjust\thave\tto\tsit out\t here\t for\t a\t few\t hours,\u201d\t she\t whispered,\t still\t staring\t at\t the\t door.\t \u201cWith\t the landing\t outside\t the\t door,\t the\t servants\t need\t to\t take\t a\t few\t steps\t to\t reach\t the water.\u201d\t Celaena\u2019s\t smile\t grew.\t \u201cAnd\t I\u2019m\t sure\t that\t if\t they\u2019re\t lugging\t a\t bunch\t of trash,\tthey\tprobably\twon\u2019t\tthink\tto\tlook\tbehind\tthem.\u201d Sam\u2019s\t teeth\t flashed\t in\t the\t torchlight\t as\t he\t smiled.\t \u201cAnd\t they\u2019ll\t be preoccupied\t long\t enough\t for\t someone\t to\t slip\t in\t and\t find\t a\t good\t hiding\t spot\t in the\tcellar\tto\twait\tout\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\ttime\tuntil\tseven\tthirty.\u201d \u201cWhat\t a\t surprise\t they\u2019ll\t have\t tomorrow,\t when\t they\t find\t their\t cellar\t door unlocked.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tthat\u2019ll\tbe\tthe\tleast\tof\ttheir\tsurprises\ttomorrow.\u201d She\tpicked\tup\ther\ttorch.\t\u201cIt\tcertainly\twill\tbe.\u201d\tHe\tfollowed\ther\tback\tdown\tthe sewer\twalkway.\tThey\u2019d\tfound\ta\tgrate\tin\ta\tshadowy\talley,\tfar\tenough\taway\tfrom the\t house\t that\t no\t one\t would\t suspect\t them.\t Unfortunately,\t it\t meant\t a\t long\t walk back\tthrough\tthe\tsewers. \u201cI\t heard\t you\t paid\t off\t Arobynn\t this\t morning,\u201d\t he\t said,\t his\t eyes\t on\t the\t dark stones\t beneath\t their\t feet.\t He\t still\t kept\t his\t voice\t soft.\t \u201cHow\t does\t it\t feel\t to\t be free?\u201d She\tglanced\tat\thim\tsidelong.\t\u201cNot\tthe\tway\tI\tthought\tit\twould.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tsurprised\the\taccepted\tthe\tmoney\twithout\ta\tfight.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything.\tIn\tthe\tdim\tlight,\tSam\ttook\ta\tragged\tbreath. \u201cI\tthink\tI\tmight\tleave,\u201d\the\twhispered. She\talmost\ttripped.\t\u201cLeave?\u201d He\t wouldn\u2019t\t look\t at\t her.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t going\t down\t to\t Eyllwe\u2014to\t Banjali,\t to\t be","precise.\u201d \u201cFor\t a\t mission?\u201d\t It\t was\t common\t for\t Arobynn\t to\t send\t them\t all\t over\t the continent,\tbut\tthe\tway\tSam\twas\tspeaking\tfelt\t\u2026\tdifferent. \u201cForever,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cWhy?\u201d\tHer\tvoice\tsounded\ta\tlittle\tshrill\tin\ther\tears. He\t faced\t her.\t \u201cWhat\t do\t I\t have\t to\t tie\t me\t here?\t Arobynn\t already\t mentioned that\tit\tmight\tbe\tuseful\tto\tfirmly\testablish\tourselves\tin\tthe\tsouth,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cArobynn\u2014\u201d\t she\t seethed,\t fighting\t to\t keep\t her\t voice\t to\t a\t whisper.\t \u201cYou talked\tto\tArobynn\tabout\tthis?\u201d Sam\tgave\ther\ta\thalf\tshrug.\t\u201cCasually.\tIt\u2019s\tnot\tofficial.\u201d \u201cBut\u2014but\tBanjali\tis\ta\tthousand\tmiles\taway.\u201d \u201cYes,\t but\t Rifthold\t belongs\t to\t you\t and\t Arobynn.\t I\u2019ll\t always\t be\t \u2026\t an alternative.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\trather\tbe\tan\talternative\tin\tRifthold\tthan\truler\tof\tthe\tassassins\tin\tBanjali.\u201d She\t hated\t that\t she\t had\t to\t keep\t her\t voice\t so\t soft.\t She\t was\t going\t to\t splatter someone\t against\t a\t wall.\t She\t was\t going\t to\t rip\t down\t the\t sewer\t with\t her\t bare hands. \u201cI\u2019m\tleaving\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tmonth,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tstill\tcalm. \u201cThat\u2019s\ttwo\tweeks\taway!\u201d \u201cDo\tI\thave\tany\treason\twhy\tI\tshould\tstay\there?\u201d \u201cYes!\u201d\tshe\texclaimed\tas\tloudly\tas\tshe\tcould\twhile\tstill\tmaintaining\ta\thushed tone.\t\u201cYes,\tyou\tdo.\u201d\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\treply.\t\u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tgo.\u201d \u201cGive\tme\ta\treason\twhy\tI\tshouldn\u2019t.\u201d \u201cBecause\t what\t was\t the\t point\t in\t anything\t if\t you\t just\t disappear\t forever?\u201d\t she hissed,\tsplaying\ther\tarms. \u201cThe\t point\t in\t what,\t Celaena?\u201d\t How\t could\t he\t be\t so\t calm\t when\t she\t was\t so frantic? \u201cThe\t point\t in\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay,\t and\t the\t point\t in\t getting\t me\t that\t music,\t and\t the point\t in\t \u2026\t the\t point\t in\t telling\t Arobynn\t that\t you\u2019d\t forgive\t him\t if\t he\t never\t hurt me\tagain.\u201d \u201cYou\t said\t you\t didn\u2019t\t care\t what\t I\t thought.\t Or\t what\t I\t did.\t Or\t if\t I\t died,\t if\t I\u2019m not\tmistaken.\u201d \u201cI\tlied!\tAnd\tyou\tknow\tI\tlied,\tyou\tstupid\tbastard!\u201d He\tlaughed\tquietly.\t\u201cYou\twant\tto\tknow\thow\tI\tspent\tthis\tsummer?\u201d\tShe\twent still.\tHe\tran\ta\thand\tthrough\this\tbrown\thair.\t\u201cI\tspent\tevery\tsingle\tday\tfighting\tthe urge\tto\tslit\tArobynn\u2019s\tthroat.\tAnd\the\tknew\tI\twanted\tto\tkill\thim.\u201d I\u2019ll\tkill\tyou!\tSam\thad\tscreamed\tat\tArobynn.","\u201cThe\tmoment\tI\twoke\tup\tafter\the\tbeat\tme,\tI\trealized\tI\thad\tto\tleave.\tBecause\tI was\tgoing\tto\tkill\thim\tif\tI\tdidn\u2019t.\tBut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t.\u201d\tHe\tstudied\ther\tface.\t\u201cNot\tuntil you\t came\t back.\t Not\t until\t I\t knew\t you\t were\t all\t right\u2014until\t I\t saw\t that\t you\t were safe.\u201d Breathing\tbecame\tvery,\tvery\thard. \u201cHe\t knew\t that,\t too,\u201d\t Sam\t went\t on.\t \u201cSo\t he\t decided\t to\t exploit\t it.\t He\t didn\u2019t recommend\t me\t for\t missions.\t Instead,\t he\t made\t me\t help\t Lysandra\t and\t Clarisse. He\t made\t me\t escort\t them\t around\t the\t city\t on\t picnics\t and\t to\t parties.\t It\t became\t a game\t between\t the\ttwo\t of\tus\u2014how\t much\t of\t his\t horseshit\tI\t could\t take\t before\t I snapped.\t But\t we\t both\t knew\t he\u2019d\t always\t have\t the\t winning\t hand.\t He\u2019d\t always have\t you.\t Still,\t I\t spent\t every\t day\t this\t summer\t hoping\t you\u2019d\t come\t back\t in\t one piece.\tMore\tthan\tthat\u2014I\thoped\tyou\u2019d\tcome\tback\tand\ttake\trevenge\tfor\twhat\the\u2019d done\tto\tyou.\u201d But\tshe\thadn\u2019t.\tShe\u2019d\tcome\tback\tand\tlet\tArobynn\tshower\ther\twith\tgifts. \u201cAnd\t now\t that\t you\u2019re\t fine,\t Celaena,\t now\t that\t you\u2019ve\t paid\t off\t your\t debt,\t I can\u2019t\tstay\tin\tRifthold.\tNot\tafter\tall\tthe\tthings\the\u2019s\tdone\tto\tus. She\tknew\tit\twas\tselfish,\tand\thorrible,\tbut\tshe\twhispered,\t\u201cPlease\tdon\u2019t\tgo.\u201d He\t let\t out\t an\t uneven\t breath.\t \u201cYou\u2019ll\t be\t fine\t without\t me.\t You\t always\t have been.\u201d Maybe\tonce,\tbut\tnot\tnow.\t\u201cHow\tcan\tI\tconvince\tyou\tto\tstay?\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\u2019t.\u201d She\tthrew\tdown\tthe\ttorch.\t\u201cDo\tyou\twant\tme\tto\tbeg,\tis\tthat\tit?\u201d \u201cNo\u2014never.\u201d \u201cThen\ttell\tme\u2014\u201d \u201cWhat\t more\t can\t I\t say?\u201d\t he\t exploded,\t his\t whisper\t rough\t and\t harsh.\t \u201cI\u2019ve already\ttold\tyou\teverything\u2014I\u2019ve\talready\ttold\tyou\tthat\tif\tI\tstay\there,\tif\tI\thave\tto live\twith\tArobynn,\tI\u2019ll\tsnap\this\tdamned\tneck.\u201d \u201cBut\twhy?\tWhy\tcan\u2019t\tyou\tlet\tit\tgo?\u201d He\tgrabbed\ther\tshoulders\tand\tshook\ther.\t\u201cBecause\tI\tlove\tyou!\u201d Her\tmouth\tfell\topen. \u201cI\t love\t you,\u201d\t he\t repeated,\t shaking\t her\t again.\t \u201cI\t have\t for\t years.\t And\t he\t hurt you\t and\t made\t me\t watch\t because\t he\u2019s\t always\t known\t how\t I\t felt,\t too.\t But\t if\t I asked\tyou\tto\tpick,\tyou\u2019d\tchoose\tArobynn,\tand\tI.\tCan\u2019t.\tTake.\tIt.\u201d The\t only\t sounds\t were\t their\t breathing,\t an\t uneven\t beat\t against\t the\t rushing\t of the\tsewer\triver. \u201cYou\u2019re\t a\t damned\t idiot,\u201d\t she\t breathed.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t a\t moron\t and\t an\t ass\t and\t a damned\t idiot.\u201d\t He\t looked\t like\t she\t had\t hit\t him.\t But\t she\t went\t on,\t and\t grasped both\tsides\tof\this\tface,\t\u201cBecause\tI\u2019d\tpick\tyou.\u201d","And\tthen\tshe\tkissed\thim.","CHAPTER 10 She\u2019d\tnever\tkissed\tanyone.\tAnd\tas\ther\tlips\tmet\this\tand\the\twrapped\this\tarms around\t her\t waist,\t pulling\t her\t close\t against\t him,\t she\t honestly\t had\t no\t idea\t why she\u2019d\twaited\tso\tlong.\tHis\tmouth\twas\twarm\tand\tsoft,\this\tbody\twondrously\tsolid against\t hers,\t his\t hair\t silken\t as\t she\t threaded\t her\t fingers\t through\t it.\t Still,\t she\t let him\t guide\t her,\t forced\t herself\t to\t remember\t to\t breathe\t as\t he\t eased\t her\t lips\t apart with\this\town. When\tshe\tfelt\tthe\tbrush\tof\this\ttongue\tagainst\thers,\tshe\twas\tso\tfull\tof\tlightning she\tthought\tshe\tmight\tdie\tfrom\tthe\trush\tof\tit.\tShe\twanted\tmore.\tShe\twanted\tall of\thim. She\tcouldn\u2019t\thold\thim\ttight\tenough,\tkiss\thim\tfast\tenough.\tA\tgrowl\trumbled\tin the\t back\t of\t his\t throat,\t so\t full\t of\t need\t she\t felt\t it\t in\t her\t core.\t Lower\t than\t that, actually. She\tpushed\thim\tagainst\tthe\twall,\tand\this\thands\troamed\tall\tover\ther\tback,\ther sides,\ther\thips.\tShe\twanted\tto\tbask\tin\tthe\tfeeling\u2014wanted\tto\trip\toff\ther\tsuit\tso she\t could\t feel\t his\t callused\t hands\t against\t her\t bare\t skin.\t The\t intensity\t of\t that desire\tswept\ther\taway. She\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\ta\tdamn\tabout\tthe\tsewers.\tOr\tDoneval,\tor\tPhilip,\tor\tArobynn. Sam\u2019s\tlips\tleft\ther\tmouth\tto\ttravel\talong\ther\tneck.\tThey\tgrazed\ta\tspot\tbeneath her\tear\tand\ther\tbreath\thitched. No,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tgive\ta\tdamn\tabout\tanything\tright\tnow. It\t was\t nighttime\t when\t they\t left\t the\t sewers,\t hair\t disheveled\t and\t mouths swollen.\tHe\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\tgo\tof\ther\thand\tduring\tthe\tlong\twalk\tback\tto\tthe\tKeep, and\twhen\tthey\tgot\tthere,\tshe\tordered\tthe\tservants\tto\tsend\tdinner\tfor\tthem\tto\ther room.\t Though\t they\t stayed\t up\t long\t into\t the\t night,\t doing\t a\t minimal\t amount\t of talking,\t their\t clothes\t remained\t on.\t Enough\t had\t happened\t today\t to\t change\t her life,\tand\tshe\twas\tin\tno\tparticular\tmood\tto\talter\tyet\tanother\tmajor\tthing. But\twhat\thad\thappened\tin\tthe\tsewer\t\u2026","Celaena\t lay\t awake\t that\t night,\t long\t after\t Sam\t had\t left\t her\t room,\t staring\t at nothing. He\tloved\ther.\tFor\tyears.\tAnd\the\u2019d\tendured\tso\tmuch\tfor\ther\tsake. For\t the\t life\t of\t her,\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t understand\t why.\t She\u2019d\t been\t nothing\t but horrible\tto\thim,\tand\thad\trepaid\tany\tkindness\ton\this\tpart\twith\ta\tsneer.\tAnd\twhat she\tfelt\tfor\thim\t\u2026 She\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t in\t love\t with\t him\t for\t years.\t Until\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay,\t she\t wouldn\u2019t have\tminded\tkilling\thim. But\t now\t \u2026\t No,\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t think\t about\t this\t now.\t And\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t think about\tit\ttomorrow,\teither.\tBecause\ttomorrow,\tthey\u2019d\tinfiltrate\tDoneval\u2019s\thouse. It\twas\tstill\trisky,\tbut\tthe\tpayoff\t\u2026\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tturn\tdown\tthat\tmoney,\tnot\tnow that\tshe\twould\tbe\tsupporting\therself.\tAnd\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\tthe\tbastard\tDoneval get\t away\t with\t his\t slave-trade\t agreement,\t or\t blackmailing\t those\t who\t dared\t to stand\tagainst\tit. She\tjust\tprayed\tSam\twouldn\u2019t\tget\thurt. In\tthe\tsilence\tof\ther\tbedroom,\tshe\tswore\tan\toath\tto\tthe\tmoonlight\tthat\tif\tSam were\thurt,\tno\tforce\tin\tthe\tworld\twould\thold\ther\tback\tfrom\tslaughtering\teveryone responsible. After\t lunch\t the\t next\t afternoon,\t Celaena\t waited\t in\t the\t shadows\t beside\t the sewer\tdoor\tto\tthe\tcellar.\tA\tways\tdown\tthe\ttunnel,\tSam\talso\twaited,\this\tblack\tsuit making\thim\talmost\tinvisible\tin\tthe\tdarkness. With\t the\t household\t lunch\t just\t ending,\t it\t was\t a\t good\t bet\t that\t Celaena\t would soon\thave\ther\tbest\tchance\tto\tslip\tinside.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tan\thour\talready, each\t noise\t whetting\t the\t edge\t she\u2019d\t been\t riding\t since\t dawn.\t She\u2019d\t have\t to\t be quick\tand\tsilent\tand\truthless.\tOne\tmistake,\tone\tshout\u2014or\teven\ta\tmissing\tservant \u2014might\truin\teverything. A\tservant\thad\tto\tcome\tdown\there\tto\tdeposit\tthe\ttrash\tat\tsome\tpoint\tsoon.\tShe pulled\ta\tlittle\tpocket\twatch\tout\tof\ther\tsuit.\tCarefully,\tshe\tlit\ta\tmatch\tto\tglance\tat the\t face.\t Two\t o\u2019clock.\t She\t had\t five\t hours\t until\t she\t needed\t to\t creep\t into Doneval\u2019s\tstudy\tto\tawait\tthe\tseven-thirty\tmeeting.\tAnd\tshe\twas\twilling\tto\tbet\the wouldn\u2019t\tenter\tthe\tstudy\tuntil\tthen;\ta\tman\tlike\tthat\twould\twant\tto\tgreet\this\tguest at\t the\t door,\t to\t see\t the\t look\t on\t his\t partner\u2019s\t face\t as\t he\t led\t him\t through\t the opulent\t halls.\t Suddenly,\t she\t heard\t the\t first,\t interior\t door\t to\t the\t sewers\t groan, and\tfootsteps\tand\tgrunts\tsounded.\tHer\ttrained\tear\theard\tthe\tnoises\tof\tone\tservant \u2014female.\tCelaena\tblew\tout\tthe\tmatch. She\t pressed\t herself\t into\t the\t wall\t as\t the\t lock\t to\t the\t outer\t door\t snapped\t open,","and\t the\t heavy\t door\t slid\t against\t the\t ground.\t She\t could\t hear\t no\t other\t footsteps, save\t for\t the\t woman\t who\t hauled\t a\t vat\t of\t garbage\t onto\t the\t landing.\t The\t servant was\talone.\tThe\tcellar\tabove\twas\tempty,\ttoo. The\twoman,\ttoo\tpreoccupied\twith\tdepositing\tthe\tmetal\tpail\tof\tgarbage,\tdidn\u2019t think\t to\t look\t to\t the\t shadows\t beside\t the\t door.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t even\t pause\t as\t Celaena slipped\t past\t her.\t Celaena\t was\t through\t both\t doors,\t up\t the\t stairs,\t and\t into\t the cellar\t before\t she\t even\t heard\t the\t plop\t and\t splatter\t of\t the\t trash\t landing\t in\t the water. As\t Celaena\t rushed\t toward\t the\t darkest\t corner\t of\t the\t vast,\t dimly\t lit\t cellar,\t she took\t in\t as\t many\t details\t as\t she\t could.\t Countless\t barrels\t of\t wine\t and\t shelves crammed\tfull\tof\tfood\tand\tgoods\tfrom\tacross\tErilea.\tOne\tstaircase\tleading\tup.\tNo other\tservants\tto\tbe\theard,\tsave\tfor\tsomewhere\tabove\ther.\tThe\tkitchen,\tprobably. The\t outer\t door\t slammed\t shut,\t the\t lock\t sounding.\t But\t Celaena\t was\t already crouched\t behind\t a\t giant\t keg\t of\t wine.\t The\t interior\t door\t also\t shut\t and\t locked. Celaena\tslid\ton\tthe\tsmooth\tblack\tmask\tshe\u2019d\tbrought\twith\ther,\ttossing\tthe\thood of\ther\tcloak\tover\ther\thair.\tThe\tsound\tof\tfootsteps\tand\tlight\tpanting,\tand\tthen\tthe servant\treappeared\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tsewer\tstairs,\tempty\tgarbage\tpail\tcreaking\tas it\t swung\t from\t one\t hand.\t She\t walked\t right\t by,\t humming\t to\t herself\t as\t she mounted\tthe\tstairs\tthat\tled\ttoward\tthe\tkitchen. Celaena\t loosed\t a\t breath\t when\t the\t woman\u2019s\t footsteps\t faded,\t then\t grinned\t to herself.\tIf\tPhilip\thad\tbeen\tsmart,\the\twould\thave\tslit\ther\tthroat\tin\tthe\tsewer\tthat night.\tPerhaps\twhen\tshe\tkilled\thim,\tshe\u2019d\tlet\thim\tknow\texactly\thow\tshe\tgot\tinto the\thouse. When\t she\t was\t absolutely\t certain\t that\t the\t servant\t wasn\u2019t\t returning\t with\t a second\t pail\t of\t garbage,\t Celaena\t hurried\t toward\t the\t small\t set\t of\t steps\t that\t led down\tto\tthe\tsewer.\tQuiet\tas\ta\tjackrabbit\tin\tthe\tRed\tDesert,\tshe\tunlocked\tthe\tfirst door,\tcrept\tthrough,\tthen\tunlocked\tthe\tsecond.\tSam\twouldn\u2019t\tsneak\tin\tuntil\tright before\t the\t meeting\u2014or\t else\t someone\t might\t come\t down\t and\t discover\t him preparing\tthe\tcellar\tfor\tthe\tfire\tthat\twould\tserve\tas\ta\tdistraction.\tAnd\tif\tsomeone found\tthe\ttwo\tunlocked\tdoors\tbefore\tthen,\tit\tcould\tjust\tbe\tblamed\ton\tthe\tservant who\u2019d\tdumped\tthe\ttrash. Celaena\t carefully\t shut\t both\t doors,\t making\t sure\t the\t locks\t remained\t disabled, and\tthen\treturned\tto\ther\tplace\tin\tthe\tshadows\tof\tthe\tcellar\u2019s\tvast\twine\tcollection. Then\tshe\twaited. At\tseven,\tshe\tleft\tthe\tcellar\tbefore\tSam\tcould\tarrive\twith\this\ttorches\tand\toil. The\tungodly\tamount\tof\talcohol\tstocked\tinside\twould\tdo\tthe\trest.\tShe\tjust\thoped","he\tmade\tit\tout\tbefore\tthe\tfire\tblew\tthe\tcellar\tto\tbits. She\t needed\t to\t be\t upstairs\t and\t hidden\t before\t that\t happened\u2014and\t before\t the exchange\twas\tmade.\tOnce\tthe\tfire\tstarted\ta\tfew\tminutes\tafter\tseven\tthirty,\tsome of\tthe\tguards\twould\tbe\tcalled\tdownstairs\timmediately,\tleaving\tDoneval\tand\this partner\twith\tfar\tfewer\tmen\tto\tprotect\tthem. The\tservants\twere\teating\ttheir\tevening\tmeal,\tand\tfrom\tthe\tlaughter\tinside\tthe sub-level\tkitchen,\tnone\tof\tthem\tseemed\taware\tof\tthe\tdeal\tthat\twas\tto\toccur\tthree flights\t above\t them.\t Celaena\t crept\t past\t the\t kitchen\t door.\t In\t her\t suit,\t cloak,\t and mask,\t she\t was\t a\t mere\t shadow\t on\t the\t pale\t stone\t walls.\t She\t held\t her\t breath\t the entire\tway\tup\tthe\tservants\u2019\tnarrow\tspiral\tstaircase. With\ther\tnew\tsuit,\tit\twas\tfar\teasier\tto\tkeep\ttrack\tof\ther\tweapons,\tand\tshe\tslid a\t long\t dagger\t out\t of\t the\t hidden\t flap\t in\t her\t boot.\t She\t peered\t down\t the\t second floor\thallway. The\t wooden\t doors\t were\t all\t shut.\t No\t guards,\t no\t servants,\t no\t members\t of Doneval\u2019s\thousehold.\tShe\teased\ta\tfoot\tonto\tthe\twooden\tfloorboards.\tWhere\tthe hell\twere\tthe\tguards? Swift\t and\t quiet\t as\t a\t cat,\t she\t was\t at\t the\t door\t to\t Doneval\u2019s\t study.\t No\t light shone\tfrom\tbeneath\tthe\tdoor.\tShe\tsaw\tno\tshadows\tof\tfeet,\tand\theard\tno\tsound. The\t door\t was\t locked.\t A\t minor\t inconvenience.\t She\t sheathed\t her\t dagger\t and pulled\t out\t two\t narrow\t bits\t of\t metal,\t wedging\t and\t jamming\t them\t into\t the\t lock until\u2014click. Then\tshe\twas\tinside,\tdoor\tlocked\tagain,\tand\tshe\tstared\tinto\tthe\tinky\tblack\tof the\tinterior.\tFrowning,\tCelaena\tfished\tthe\tpocket\twatch\tout\tof\ther\tsuit.\tShe\tlit\ta match. She\tstill\thad\tenough\ttime\tto\tlook\taround. Celaena\t flicked\t out\t the\t match\t and\t rushed\t to\t the\t curtains,\t shutting\t them\t tight against\tthe\tnight\toutside.\tRain\tstill\tplinked\tfaintly\tagainst\tthe\tcovered\twindows. She\tmoved\tto\tthe\tmassive\toak\tdesk\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\troom\tand\tlit\tthe\toil\tlamp atop\t it,\t dimming\t it\t until\t only\t a\t faint\t blue\t flame\t gave\t off\t a\t flicker\t of\t light.\t She shuffled\tthrough\tthe\tpapers\ton\tthe\tdesk.\tNewspapers,\tcasual\tletters,\treceipts,\tthe household\texpenses\t\u2026 She\t opened\t every\t drawer\t in\t the\t desk.\t More\t of\t the\t same.\t Where\t were\t those documents? Swallowing\t her\t violent\t curse,\t Celaena\t put\t a\t fist\t to\t her\t mouth.\t She\t turned\t in place.\tAn\tarmchair,\tan\tarmoire,\ta\thutch\t\u2026\tShe\tsearched\tthe\thutch\tand\tarmoire, but\tthey\thad\tnothing.\tJust\tempty\tpapers\tand\tink.\tHer\tears\tstrained\tfor\tany\tsound of\tapproaching\tguards. She\tscanned\tthe\tbooks\ton\tthe\tbookcase,\ttapping\ther\tfingers\tacross\tthe\tspines,","trying\tto\thear\tif\tany\twere\thollowed\tout,\ttrying\tto\thear\tif\u2014 A\t floorboard\t creaked\t beneath\t her\t feet.\t She\t was\t down\t on\t her\t knees\t in\t an instant,\t rapping\t on\t the\t dark,\t polished\t wood.\t She\t knocked\t all\t around\t the\t area, until\tshe\tfound\ta\thollow\tsound. Carefully,\t heart\t hammering,\t she\t dug\t her\t dagger\t between\t the\t floorboards\t and wedged\tit\tupward.\tPapers\tstared\tback\tat\ther. She\t pulled\t them\t out,\t replaced\t the\t floorboard,\t and\t was\t back\t at\t the\t desk\t a moment\tlater,\tspreading\tthe\tpapers\tbefore\ther.\tShe\u2019d\tonly\tglance\tat\tthem,\tjust\tto be\tsure\tshe\thad\tthe\tright\tdocuments\t\u2026 Her\thands\ttrembled\tas\tshe\tflipped\tthrough\tthe\tpapers,\tone\tafter\tanother.\tMaps with\tred\tmarks\tin\trandom\tplaces,\tcharts\twith\tnumbers,\tand\tnames\u2014list\tafter\tlist of\tnames\tand\tlocations.\tCities,\ttowns,\tforests,\tmountains,\tall\tin\tMelisande. These\t weren\u2019t\t just\t Melisanders\t opposed\t to\t slavery\u2014these\t were\t locations\t for planned\tsafe\thouses\tto\tsmuggle\tslaves\tto\tfreedom.\tThis\twas\tenough\tinformation to\tget\tall\tthese\tpeople\texecuted\tor\tenslaved\tthemselves. And\t Doneval,\t that\t wretched\t bastard,\t was\t going\t to\t use\t this\t information\t to force\tthose\tpeople\tto\tsupport\tthe\tslave\ttrade\u2014or\tbe\tturned\tover\tto\tthe\tking. Celaena\t gathered\t up\t the\t documents.\t She\u2019d\t never\t let\t Doneval\t get\t away\t with this.\tNever. She\ttook\ta\tstep\ttoward\tthe\ttrick\tfloorboard.\tThen\tshe\theard\tthe\tvoices.","CHAPTER 11 She\thad\tthe\tlamp\toff\tand\tthe\tcurtains\topened\tin\ta\theartbeat,\tswearing\tsilently as\t she\t tucked\t the\t documents\t into\t her\t suit\t and\t hid\t in\t the\t armoire.\t It\t would\t only take\t a\t few\t moments\t before\t Doneval\t and\t his\t partner\t found\t that\t the\t documents were\t missing.\t But\t that\t was\t all\t she\t needed\u2014she\t just\t had\t to\t get\t them\t in\t here, away\tfrom\tthe\tguards,\tlong\tenough\tto\ttake\tthem\tboth\tdown.\tThe\tfire\twould\tstart in\tthe\tcellar\tany\tminute\tnow,\thopefully\tdistracting\tmany\tof\tthe\tother\tguards,\tand hopefully\t happening\t before\t Doneval\t noticed\t the\t papers\t were\t gone.\t She\t left\t the armoire\tdoor\topen\ta\tcrack,\tpeering\tout. The\tstudy\tdoor\tunlocked\tand\tthen\tswung\topen. \u201cBrandy?\u201d\tDoneval\twas\tsaying\tto\tthe\tcloaked\tand\thooded\tman\twho\ttrailed\tin behind\thim. \u201cNo,\u201d\t the\t man\t said,\t removing\t his\t hood.\t He\t was\t of\t average\t height\t and\t plain, his\tonly\tnotable\tfeatures\this\tsun-kissed\tface\tand\thigh\tcheekbones.\tWho\twas\the? \u201cEager\t to\t get\t it\t over\t with?\u201d\t Doneval\t chuckled,\t but\t there\t was\t a\t hitch\t to\t his voice. \u201cYou\tcould\tsay\tthat,\u201d\tthe\tman\treplied\tcoolly.\tHe\tlooked\tabout\tthe\troom,\tand Celaena\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t move\u2014or\t breathe\u2014as\t his\t blue\t eyes\t passed\t over\t the armoire.\t\u201cMy\tpartners\tknow\tto\tstart\tlooking\tfor\tme\tin\tthirty\tminutes.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\thave\tyou\tout\tin\tten.\tI\thave\tto\tbe\tat\tthe\ttheater\ttonight,\tanyway.\tThere\u2019s\ta young\t lady\t I\u2019m\t particularly\t keen\t to\t see,\u201d\t Doneval\t said\t with\t a\t businessman\u2019s charm.\t \u201cI\t take\t it\t that\t your\t associates\t are\t prepared\t to\t act\t quickly\t and\t give\t me\t a response\tby\tdawn?\u201d \u201cThey\t are.\t But\t show\t me\t your\t documents\t first.\t I\t need\t to\t see\t what\t you\u2019re offering.\u201d \u201cOf\t course,\t of\t course,\u201d\t Doneval\t said,\t drinking\t from\t the\t glass\t of\t brandy\t that he\u2019d\t poured\t for\t himself.\t Celaena\u2019s\t hands\t became\t slick\t and\t her\t face\t turned sweaty\tunder\tthe\tmask.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tlive\there,\tor\tare\tyou\tvisiting?\u201d\tWhen\tthe\tman didn\u2019t\trespond,\tDoneval\tsaid\twith\ta\tgrin,\t\u201cEither\tway,\tI\thope\tyou\u2019ve\tstopped\tby Madam\tClarisse\u2019s\testablishment.\tI\u2019ve\tnever\tseen\tsuch\tfine\tgirls\tin\tall\tmy\tlife.\u201d","The\t man\t gave\t Doneval\t a\t distinctly\t displeased\t stare.\t Had\t Celaena\t not\t been here\tto\tkill\tthem,\tshe\tmight\thave\tliked\tthe\tstranger. \u201cNot\tone\tfor\tchitchat?\u201d\tDoneval\tteased,\tsetting\tdown\tthe\tbrandy\tand\twalking toward\tthe\tfloorboard.\tFrom\tthe\tslight\ttremble\tin\tDoneval\u2019s\thands,\tshe\tcould\ttell that\this\ttalking\twas\tall\tnervous\tbabble.\tHow\thad\tsuch\ta\tman\tcome\tinto\tcontact with\tsuch\tincredibly\tdelicate\tand\timportant\tinformation? Doneval\tknelt\tbefore\tthe\tloose\tfloorboard\tand\tpulled\tit\tup.\tHe\tswore. Celaena\t flicked\t the\t sword\t out\t of\t the\t hidden\t compartment\t in\t her\t suit\t and moved. She\twas\tout\tof\tthe\tcloset\tbefore\tthey\teven\tlooked\tat\ther,\tand\tDoneval\tdied\ta heartbeat\t after\t that.\t His\t blood\t sprayed\t from\t the\t spine-severing\t wound\t she\t gave him\tthrough\tthe\tback\tof\this\tneck,\tand\tthe\tother\tman\tlet\tout\ta\tshout.\tShe\twhirled toward\thim,\tthe\tsword\tflicking\tblood. An\texplosion\trocked\tthe\thouse,\tso\tstrong\tthat\tshe\tlost\ther\tfooting. What\tin\thell\thad\tSam\tdetonated\tdown\tthere? That\t was\t all\t the\t man\t needed\u2014he\t was\t out\t the\t study\t door.\t His\t speed\t was admirable;\the\tmoved\tlike\tsomeone\tused\tto\ta\tlifetime\tof\trunning. She\t was\t through\t the\t threshold\t almost\t instantly.\t Smoke\t was\t already\t rising from\t the\t stairs.\t She\t turned\t left\t after\t the\t man,\t only\t to\t run\t into\t Philip,\t the bodyguard. She\trebounded\taway\tas\the\tswiped\twith\ta\tsword\tfor\ther\tface.\tBehind\thim,\tthe man\twas\tstill\trunning,\tand\the\tglanced\tover\this\tshoulder\tonce\tbefore\the\tsprinted down\tthe\tstairs. \u201cWhat\thave\tyou\tdone?\u201d\tPhilip\tspat,\tnoticing\tthe\tblood\ton\ther\tblade.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t need\t to\t see\t whose\t face\t was\t under\t the\t mask\t to\t identify\t her\u2014he\t must\t have recognized\tthe\tsuit. She\t deployed\t the\t sword\t in\t her\t other\t arm,\t too.\t \u201cGet\t the\t hell\t out\t of\t my\t way.\u201d The\tmask\tmade\ther\twords\tlow\tand\tgravely\u2014the\tvoice\tof\ta\tdemon,\tnot\ta\tyoung woman.\t She\t slashed\t the\t swords\t in\t front\t of\t her,\t a\t deadly\t whine\t coming\t off\t of them. \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\trip\tyou\tlimb\tfrom\tlimb,\u201d\tPhilip\tgrowled. \u201cJust\ttry\tit.\u201d Philip\u2019s\tface\ttwisted\tin\trage\tas\the\tlaunched\thimself\tat\ther. She\t took\t the\t first\t blow\t on\t her\t left\t blade,\t her\t arm\t aching\t at\t the\t impact,\t and Philip\t barely\t moved\t away\t fast\t enough\t to\t avoid\t her\t punching\t the\t right\t blade straight\tthrough\this\tgut.\tHe\tstruck\tagain,\ta\tclever\tthrust\ttoward\ther\tribs,\tbut\tshe","blocked\thim. He\t pressed\t both\t her\t blades.\t Up\t close,\t she\t could\t see\t his\t weapon\t was\t of impressive\tquality. \u201cI\t wanted\t to\t make\t this\t last,\u201d\t Celaena\t hissed.\t \u201cBut\t I\t think\t it\u2019s\t going\t to\t be quick.\tFar\tcleaner\tthan\tthe\tdeath\tyou\ttried\tto\tgive\tme.\u201d Philip\t shoved\t her\t back\t with\t a\t roar.\t \u201cYou\t have\t no\t idea\t what\t you\u2019ve\t just done!\u201d She\t swung\t her\t swords\t in\t front\t of\t her\t again.\t \u201cI\t know\t exactly\t what\t I\u2019ve\t just done.\tAnd\tI\tknow\texactly\twhat\tI\u2019m\tabout\tto\tdo.\u201d Philip\t charged,\t but\t the\t hallway\t was\t too\t narrow\t and\t his\t blow\t too undisciplined.\t She\t got\t past\t his\t guard\t instantly.\t His\t blood\t soaked\t her\t gloved hand. Her\tsword\twhined\tagainst\tbone\tas\tshe\twhipped\tit\tout\tagain. Philip\u2019s\t eyes\t went\t wide\t and\t he\t staggered\t back,\t clutching\t the\t slender\t wound that\twent\tup\tthrough\this\tribs\tand\tinto\this\theart.\t\u201cFool,\u201d\the\twhispered,\tslumping to\tthe\tground.\t\u201cDid\tLeighfer\thire\tyou?\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t say\t anything\t as\t he\t struggled\t for\t breath,\t blood\t bubbling\t from\t his lips. \u201cDoneval\t\u2026,\u201d\tPhilip\trasped,\t\u201c\u2026\tloved\this\tcountry\t\u2026\u201d\tHe\ttook\ta\twet\tbreath, hate\tand\tgrief\tmingling\tin\this\teyes.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tanything.\u201d\tHe\twas\tdead\ta moment\tlater. \u201cMaybe,\u201d\t she\t said\t as\t she\t looked\t down\t at\t his\t body.\t \u201cBut\t I\t knew\t enough\t just then.\u201d It\t had\t taken\t less\t than\t two\t minutes\u2014that\t was\t it.\t She\t knocked\t out\t two\t guards as\t she\t catapulted\t down\t the\t stairs\t of\t the\t burning\t house\t and\t out\t the\t front\t door, disarming\tanother\tthree\twhen\tshe\tvaulted\tover\tthe\tiron\tfence\tand\tinto\tthe\tstreets of\tthe\tcapital. Where\tin\thell\thad\tthe\tman\tgone? There\t were\t no\t alleys\t from\t the\t house\t to\t the\t river,\t so\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t gone\t left. Which\tmeant\the\thad\tgone\teither\tstraight\tthrough\tthe\talley\tahead\tof\ther\tor\tto\tthe right.\tHe\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tgone\tto\tthe\tright\u2014that\twas\tthe\tmain\tavenue\tof\tthe\tcity, where\tthe\twealthy\tlived.\tShe\ttook\tthe\talley\tstraight\tahead. She\t sprinted\t so\t fast\t she\t could\t hardly\t breathe,\t snapping\t her\t swords\t back\t into their\thidden\tcompartment. No\t one\t noticed\t her;\t most\t people\t were\t too\t busy\t rushing\t toward\t the\t flames now\tlicking\tthe\tsky\tabove\tDoneval\u2019s\thouse.\tWhat\thad\thappened\tto\tSam?","She\tspotted\tthe\tman\tthen,\tsprinting\tdown\tan\talley\tthat\tled\ttoward\tthe\tAvery. She\t almost\t missed\t him,\t because\t he\t was\t around\t the\t corner\t and\t gone\t the\t next instant.\tHe\u2019d\tmentioned\this\tpartners\u2014was\the\twas\theaded\tto\tthem\tnow?\tWould he\tbe\tthat\tfoolish? She\t splashed\t through\t puddles\t and\t leapt\t over\t trash\t and\t grabbed\t the\t wall\t of\t a building\tas\tshe\thauled\therself\taround\tthe\tcorner.\tRight\tinto\ta\tdead\tend. The\t man\t was\t trying\t to\t scale\t the\t large\t brick\t wall\t at\t the\t other\t end.\t The buildings\tsurrounding\tthem\thad\tno\tdoors\u2014and\tno\twindows\tlow\tenough\tfor\thim to\treach. Celaena\tpopped\tout\tboth\tof\ther\tswords\tas\tshe\tslowed\tto\ta\tstalking\tgait. The\tman\tmade\tone\tlast\tleap\tfor\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\twall,\tbut\tcouldn\u2019t\treach.\tHe\tfell hard\tagainst\tthe\tcobblestone\tstreets.\tSprawled\ton\tthe\tground,\the\ttwisted\ttoward her.\tHis\teyes\twere\tbright\tas\the\tpulled\tout\ta\tpile\tof\tpapers\tfrom\this\tworn\tjacket. What\t sort\t of\t documents\t had\t he\t been\t bringing\t to\t Doneval?\t Their\t official business\tcontract? \u201cGo\tto\thell,\u201d\the\tspat,\tand\ta\tmatch\tflared.\tThe\tpapers\twere\tinstantly\talight,\tand he\t threw\t them\t to\t the\t ground.\t So\t fast\t she\t could\t hardly\t see\t it,\t he\t grabbed\t a\t vial from\this\tpocket\tand\tswallowed\tthe\tcontents. She\tlunged\ttoward\thim,\tbut\tshe\twas\ttoo\tlate. By\tthe\ttime\tshe\tgrabbed\thim,\the\twas\tdead.\tEven\twith\this\teyes\tclosed,\tthe\trage remained\t on\t his\t face.\t He\t was\t gone.\t Irrevocably\t gone.\t But\t for\t what\u2014some business\tdeal\tgone\tsour? Easing\thim\tto\tthe\tground,\tshe\tjumped\tswiftly\tto\ther\tfeet.\tShe\tstomped\ton\tthe papers,\textinguishing\tthe\tflame\tin\tseconds.\tBut\thalf\tof\tthem\thad\talready\tburned, leaving\tonly\tscraps. In\t the\t moonlight,\t she\t knelt\t on\t the\t damp\t cobblestones\t and\t picked\t up\t the remnants\tof\tthe\tdocuments\the\u2019d\tbeen\tso\twilling\tto\tdie\tfor. It\t wasn\u2019t\t merely\t a\t trade\t agreement.\t Like\t the\t papers\t she\t had\t in\t her\t pocket, these\tcontained\tnames\tand\tnumbers\tand\tlocations\tof\tsafe\thouses.\tBut\tthese\twere in\tAdarlan\u2014even\tstretching\tas\tfar\tnorth\tas\tthe\tborder\twith\tTerrasen. She\twhipped\ther\thead\tto\tthe\tbody.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\tmake\tany\tsense;\twhy\tkill\thimself to\tkeep\tthis\tinformation\tsecret,\twhen\the\u2019d\tplanned\tto\tshare\tit\twith\tDoneval\tand use\tit\tfor\this\town\tprofit?\tHeaviness\trushed\tthrough\ther\tveins.\tYou\tknow\tnothing, Philip\thad\tsaid. Somehow,\t it\t suddenly\t felt\t very\t true.\t How\t much\t had\t Arobynn\t known? Philip\u2019s\twords\tsounded\tin\ther\tears\tagain\tand\tagain.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\tadd\tup.\tSomething was\twrong\u2014something\twas\toff. No\tone\thad\ttold\ther\tthese\tdocuments\twould\tbe\tthis\textensive,\tthis\tdamning\tto","the\t people\t they\t listed.\t Her\t hands\t shaking,\t she\t shifted\t his\t body\t into\t a\t sitting position\tso\the\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tface-first\ton\tthe\tfilthy\tground.\tWhy\thad\the\tsacrificed himself\tto\tkeep\tthis\tinformation\tsafe?\tNoble\tor\tnot,\tfoolish\tor\tnot,\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t let\tit\tgo.\tShe\tstraightened\this\tcoat. Then\t she\t picked\t up\t his\t half-destroyed\t documents,\t lit\t a\t match,\t and\t let\t them burn\tuntil\tthey\twere\tnothing\tbut\tashes.\tIt\twas\tthe\tonly\tthing\tshe\thad\tto\toffer. She\t found\t Sam\t slumped\t against\t the\t wall\t of\t another\t alley.\t She\t rushed\t to\t him where\the\tknelt\twith\ta\thand\tover\this\tchest,\tpanting\theavily. \u201cAre\tyou\thurt?\u201d\tshe\tdemanded,\tscanning\tthe\talley\tfor\tany\tsign\tof\tguards.\tAn orange\t glow\t spread\t behind\t them.\t She\t hoped\t the\t servants\t had\t gotten\t out\t of Doneval\u2019s\thouse\tin\ttime. \u201cI\u2019m\t fine,\u201d\t Sam\t rasped.\t But\t in\t the\t moonlight,\t she\t could\t see\t the\t gash\t on\t his arm.\t \u201cThe\t guards\t spotted\t me\t in\t the\t cellar\t and\t shot\t at\t me.\u201d\t He\t grabbed\t at\t the breast\t of\t his\t suit.\t \u201cOne\t of\t them\t hit\t me\t right\t in\t the\t heart.\t I\t thought\t I\t was\t dead, but\tthe\tarrow\tclattered\tright\tout.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\teven\ttouch\tmy\tskin.\u201d He\tpeeled\topen\tthe\tgash\tin\tthe\tfront\tof\this\tsuit,\tand\ta\tglimmer\tof\tiridescence sparkled.\t\u201cSpidersilk,\u201d\the\tmurmured,\this\teyes\twide. Celaena\tsmiled\tgrimly\tand\tpulled\toff\tthe\tmask\tfrom\ther\tface. \u201cNo\t wonder\t this\t damned\t suit\t was\t so\t expensive,\u201d\t Sam\t said,\t letting\t out\t a breathy\t laugh.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t feel\t the\t need\t to\t tell\t him\t the\t truth.\t He\t searched\t her face.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tdone,\tthen?\u201d She\tleaned\tdown\tto\tkiss\thim,\ta\tswift\tbrush\tof\ther\tmouth\tagainst\this. \u201cIt\u2019s\tdone,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tonto\this\tlips.","CHAPTER 12 The\train\tclouds\thad\tvanished\tand\tthe\tsun\twas\trising\twhen\tCelaena\tstrode\tinto Arobynn\u2019s\t study\t and\t stopped\t in\t front\t of\t his\t desk.\t Wesley,\t Arobynn\u2019s bodyguard,\t didn\u2019t\t even\t try\t to\t stop\t her.\t He\t just\t shut\t the\t study\t doors\t behind\t her before\tresuming\this\tsentry\tposition\tin\tthe\thall\toutside. \u201cDoneval\u2019s\t partner\t burned\t his\t own\t documents\t before\t I\t could\t see\t them,\u201d\t she said\tto\tArobynn\tby\tway\tof\tgreeting.\t\u201cAnd\tthen\tpoisoned\thimself.\u201d\tShe\u2019d\tslipped Doneval\u2019s\tdocuments\tunder\this\tbedroom\tdoor\tlast\tnight,\tbut\thad\tdecided\tto\twait to\texplain\teverything\tto\thim\tuntil\tthat\tmorning. Arobynn\t looked\t up\t from\t his\t ledger.\t His\t face\t was\t blank.\t \u201cWas\t that\t before\t or after\tyou\ttorched\tDoneval\u2019s\thouse?\u201d She\tcrossed\ther\tarms.\t\u201cDoes\tit\tmake\ta\tdifference?\u201d Arobynn\t looked\t at\t the\t window\t and\t the\t clear\t sky\t beyond.\t \u201cI\t sent\t the documents\tto\tLeighfer\tthis\tmorning.\tDid\tyou\tlook\tthrough\tthem?\u201d She\t snorted.\t \u201cOf\t course\t I\t did.\t Right\t in\t between\t killing\t Doneval\t and\t fighting my\tway\tout\tof\this\thouse,\tI\tfound\tthe\ttime\tto\tsit\tdown\tfor\ta\tcup\tof\ttea\tand\tread them.\u201d Arobynn\tstill\twasn\u2019t\tsmiling. \u201cI\u2019ve\tnever\tseen\tyou\tleave\tsuch\ta\tmess\tin\tyour\twake.\u201d \u201cAt\tleast\tpeople\twill\tthink\tDoneval\tdied\tin\tthe\tfire.\u201d Arobynn\t slammed\t his\t hands\t onto\t his\t desk.\t \u201cWithout\t an\t identifiable\t body, how\tcan\tanyone\tbe\tsure\the\u2019s\tdead?\u201d She\trefused\tto\tflinch,\trefused\tto\tback\tdown.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tdead.\u201d Arobynn\u2019s\t silver\t eyes\t hardened.\t \u201cYou\t won\u2019t\t be\t paid\t for\t this.\t I\t know\t for certain\t Leighfer\t won\u2019t\t pay\t you.\t She\t wanted\t a\t body\t and\t both\t documents.\t You only\tgave\tme\tone\tof\tthe\tthree.\u201d She\t felt\t her\t nostrils\t flare.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t fine.\t Bardingale\u2019s\t allies\t are\t safe\t now, anyway.\t And\t the\t trade\t agreement\t isn\u2019t\t happening.\u201d\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t mention\t that she\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t seen\t a\t trade\t agreement\t document\t among\t the\t papers\u2014not without\trevealing\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tread\tthe\tdocuments.","Arobynn\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tlaugh.\t\u201cYou\thaven\u2019t\tfigured\tit\tout\tyet,\thave\tyou?\u201d Celaena\u2019s\tthroat\ttightened. Arobynn\t leaned\t back\t in\t his\t chair.\t \u201cHonestly,\t I\t expected\t more\t from\t you.\t All the\t years\t I\t spent\t training\t you,\t and\t you\t couldn\u2019t\t piece\t together\t what\t was happening\tright\tbefore\tyour\teyes.\u201d \u201cJust\tspit\tit\tout,\u201d\tshe\tgrowled. \u201cThere\t was\t no\t trade\t agreement,\u201d\t Arobynn\t said,\t triumph\t lighting\t his\t silver eyes.\t \u201cAt\t least,\t not\t between\t Doneval\t and\t his\t source\t in\t Rifthold.\t The\t real meetings\t about\t the\t slave-trade\t negotiations\t have\t been\t going\t on\t in\t the\t glass castle\u2014between\t the\t king\t and\t Leighfer.\t It\t was\t a\t key\t point\t of\t persuasion\t in convincing\thim\tto\tlet\tthem\tbuild\ttheir\troad.\u201d She\t kept\t her\t face\t blank,\t kept\t herself\t from\t flinching.\t The\t man\t who\t poisoned himself\u2014he\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t there\t to\t trade\t documents\t to\t sell\t out\t those\t opposed\t to slavery.\tHe\tand\tDoneval\thad\tbeen\tworking\tto\u2014 Doneval\tloves\this\tcountry,\tPhilip\thad\tsaid. Doneval\t had\t been\t working\t to\t set\t up\t a\t system\t of\t safe\t houses\t and\t form\t an alliance\tof\tpeople\tagainst\tslavery\tacross\tthe\tempire.\tDoneval,\tbad\thabits\tor\tnot, had\tbeen\tworking\tto\thelp\tthe\tslaves. And\tshe\u2019d\tkilled\thim. Worse\t than\t that,\t she\u2019d\t given\t the\t documents\t over\t to\t Bardingale\u2014who\t didn\u2019t want\tto\tstop\tslavery\tat\tall.\tNo,\tshe\twanted\tto\tprofit\tfrom\tit\tand\tuse\ther\tnew\troad to\t do\t it.\t And\t she\t and\t Arobynn\t had\t concocted\t the\t perfect\t lie\t to\t get\t Celaena\t to cooperate. Arobynn\t was\t still\t smiling.\t \u201cLeighfer\t has\t already\t seen\t to\t it\t that\t Doneval\u2019s documents\t are\t secured.\t If\t it\u2019ll\t ease\t your\t conscience,\t she\t said\t she\t won\u2019t\t give them\tto\tthe\tking\u2014not\tyet.\tNot\tuntil\tshe\u2019s\thad\ta\tchance\tto\tspeak\tto\tthe\tpeople\ton this\t list\t and\t \u2026\t persuade\t them\t to\t support\t her\t business\t endeavors.\t But\t if\t they don\u2019t,\tperhaps\tthose\tdocuments\twill\tfind\ttheir\tway\tinto\tthe\tglass\tcastle\tafter\tall.\u201d Celaena\tfought\tto\tkeep\tfrom\ttrembling.\t\u201cIs\tthis\tpunishment\tfor\tSkull\u2019s\tBay?\u201d Arobynn\tstudied\ther.\t\u201cWhile\tI\tmight\tregret\tbeating\tyou,\tCelaena,\tyou\tdid\truin a\t deal\t that\t would\t have\t been\t extremely\t profitable\t for\t us.\u201d\t \u201cUs,\u201d\t like\t she\t was\t a part\tof\tthis\tdisgusting\tmess.\t\u201cYou\tmight\tbe\tfree\tof\tme,\tbut\tyou\tshouldn\u2019t\tforget who\tI\tam.\tWhat\tI\u2019m\tcapable\tof.\u201d \u201cAs\t long\t as\t I\t live,\u201d\t she\t said,\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t never\t forget\t that.\u201d\t She\t turned\t on\t her\t heel, striding\tfor\tthe\tdoor,\tbut\tstopped. \u201cYesterday,\u201d\t she\t said,\t \u201cI\t sold\t Kasida\t to\t Leighfer\t Bardingale.\u201d\t She\u2019d\t visited Bardingale\u2019s\testate\tin\tthe\tmorning\tof\tthe\tday\tshe\twas\tset\tto\tinfiltrate\tDoneval\u2019s house.\t The\t woman\t had\t been\t more\t than\t happy\t to\t purchase\t the\t Asterion\t horse.","She\thadn\u2019t\tonce\tmentioned\ther\tformer\thusband\u2019s\timpending\tdeath. And\tlast\tnight,\tafter\tCelaena\thad\tkilled\tDoneval,\tshe\u2019d\tspent\ta\twhile\tstaring\tat the\tsignature\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\ttransfer\tof\townership\treceipt,\tso\tstupidly\trelieved that\tKasida\twas\tgoing\tto\ta\tgood\twoman\tlike\tBardingale. \u201cAnd?\u201d\tArobynn\tasked.\t\u201cWhy\tshould\tI\tcare\tabout\tyour\thorse?\u201d Celaena\tlooked\tat\thim\tlong\tand\thard.\tAlways\tpower\tgames,\talways\tdeceit\tand pain.\t\u201cThe\tmoney\tis\ton\tits\tway\tto\tyour\tvault\tat\tthe\tbank.\u201d He\tsaid\tnothing. \u201cAs\t of\t this\t moment,\t Sam\u2019s\t debt\t to\t you\t is\t paid,\u201d\t she\t said,\t a\t shred\t of\t victory shining\t through\t her\t growing\t shame\t and\t misery.\t \u201cFrom\t right\t now\t until\t forever, he\u2019s\ta\tfree\tman.\u201d Arobynn\tstared\tback,\tthen\tshrugged.\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tthat\u2019s\ta\tgood\tthing.\u201d\tShe\tfelt the\tfinal\tblow\tcoming,\tand\tshe\tknew\tshe\tshould\trun,\tbut\tshe\tstood\tlike\tan\tidiot and\tlistened\tas\the\tsaid,\t\u201cBecause\tI\tspent\tall\tthe\tmoney\tyou\tgave\tme\twhen\tI\twas at\tLysandra\u2019s\tBidding\tlast\tnight.\tMy\tvault\tfeels\ta\tlittle\tempty\tbecause\tof\tit.\u201d It\ttook\ta\tmoment\tfor\tthe\twords\tto\tsink\tin. The\tmoney\tshe\thad\tsacrificed\tso\tmuch\tto\tget\t\u2026 He\u2019d\tused\tit\tto\twin\tLysandra\u2019s\tBidding. \u201cI\u2019m\tmoving\tout,\u201d\tshe\twhispered.\tHe\tjust\twatched\ther,\this\tcruel,\tclever\tmouth forming\t a\t slight\t smile.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t purchased\t an\t apartment,\t and\t I\u2019m\t moving\t there. Today.\u201d Arobynn\u2019s\tsmile\tgrew.\t\u201cDo\tcome\tback\tand\tvisit\tus\tsome\ttime,\tCelaena.\u201d She\thad\tto\tbite\ther\tlip\tto\tkeep\tit\tfrom\twobbling.\t\u201cWhy\tdid\tyou\tdo\tit?\u201d Arobynn\t shrugged\t again.\t \u201cWhy\t shouldn\u2019t\t I\t enjoy\t Lysandra\t after\t all\t these years\t of\t investing\t in\t her\t career?\t And\t why\t do\t you\t care\t what\t I\t do\t with\t my\t own money?\tFrom\twhat\tI\u2019ve\theard,\tyou\thave\tSam\tnow.\tBoth\tof\tyou\tare\tfree\tof\tme.\u201d Of\t course\t he\u2019d\t found\t out\t already.\t And\t of\t course\t he\u2019d\t try\t to\t make\t this\t about her\u2014try\t to\t make\t it\t her\t fault.\t Why\t shower\t her\t with\t gifts\t only\t to\t do\t this?\t Why deceive\t her\t about\t Doneval\t and\t then\t torture\t her\t with\t it?\t Why\t had\t he\t saved\t her life\tnine\tyears\tago\tjust\tto\ttreat\ther\tthis\tway? He\u2019d\tspent\ther\tmoney\ton\ta\tperson\the\tknew\tshe\thated.\tTo\tbelittle\ther.\tMonths ago,\t it\t would\t have\t worked;\t that\t sort\t of\t betrayal\t would\t have\t devastated\t her.\t It still\t hurt,\t but\t now,\t with\t Doneval\t and\t Philip\t and\t others\t dead\t by\t her\t hand,\t with those\t documents\t now\t in\t Bardingale\u2019s\t possession,\t and\t with\t Sam\t steadfastly\t at her\tside\t\u2026\tArobynn\u2019s\tpetty,\tvicious\tparting\tshot\thad\tnarrowly\tmissed\tthe\tmark. \u201cDon\u2019t\t come\t looking\t for\t me\t for\t a\t good,\t long\t while,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cBecause\t I might\tkill\tyou\tif\tI\tsee\tyou\tbefore\tthen,\tArobynn.\u201d He\twaved\ta\thand\tat\ther.\t\u201cI\tlook\tforward\tto\tthe\tfight.\u201d","She\t left.\t As\t she\t strode\t through\t his\t study\t doors,\t she\t almost\t slammed\t into\t the three\ttall\tmen\twho\twere\twalking\tin.\tThey\tall\ttook\tone\tlook\tat\ther\tface\tand\tthen muttered\t apologies.\t She\t ignored\t them,\t and\t ignored\t Wesley\u2019s\t dark\t stare\t as\t she strode\tpast\thim.\tArobynn\u2019s\tbusiness\twas\this\town.\tShe\thad\ther\town\tlife\tnow. Her\t boot\t heels\t clicked\t against\t the\t marble\t floor\t of\t the\t grand\t entrance. Someone\t yawned\t from\t across\t the\t space,\t and\t Celaena\t found\t Lysandra\t leaning against\tthe\tbanister\tof\tthe\tstaircase.\tShe\twas\twearing\ta\twhite\tsilk\tnightgown\tthat barely\tcovered\ther\tmore\tprivate\tareas. \u201cYou\u2019ve\t probably\t already\t heard,\t but\t I\t went\t for\t a\t record\t price,\u201d\t Lysandra purred,\t stretching\t out\t the\t beautiful\t lines\t of\t her\t body.\t \u201cThank\t you\t for\t that;\t rest assured\tthat\tyour\tgold\twent\ta\tlong,\tlong\tway.\u201d Celaena\tfroze\tand\tslowly\tturned.\tLysandra\tsmirked\tat\ther. Fast\tas\tlightning,\tCelaena\thurled\ta\tdagger. The\t blade\t imbedded\t itself\t into\t the\t wooden\t railing\t a\t hair\u2019s\t breadth\t from Lysandra\u2019s\thead. Lysandra\t began\t screaming,\t but\t Celaena\t just\t walked\t out\t of\t the\t front\t doors, across\tthe\tlawn\tof\tthe\tKeep,\tand\tkept\twalking\tuntil\tthe\tcapital\tswallowed\ther\tup. Celaena\t sat\t on\t the\t edge\t of\t her\t roof,\t looking\t out\t across\t the\t city.\t The\t convoy from\t Melisande\t had\t already\t left,\t taking\t the\t last\t of\t the\t rain\t clouds\t with\t them. Some\t of\t them\t wore\t black\t to\t mourn\t Doneval\u2019s\t death.\t Leighfer\t Bardingale\t had ridden\t Kasida,\t prancing\t down\t the\t main\t avenue.\t Unlike\t those\t in\t mourning colors,\t the\t lady\t had\t been\t dressed\t in\t saffron\t yellow\u2014and\t was\t smiling\t broadly. Of\tcourse,\tit\twas\tjust\tbecause\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thad\tagreed\tto\tgive\tthem\tthe funds\tand\tresources\tto\tbuild\ttheir\troad.\tCelaena\thad\thalf\ta\tmind\tto\tgo\tafter\ther\u2014 to\tget\tthose\tdocuments\tback\tand\trepay\tBardingale\tfor\ther\tdeceit.\tAnd\ttake\tback Kasida\twhile\tshe\twas\tat\tit,\ttoo. But\tshe\tdidn\u2019t.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tfooled\tand\thad\tlost\u2014badly.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\ta part\tof\tthis\ttangled\tweb.\tNot\twhen\tArobynn\thad\tmade\tit\tperfectly\tclear\tthat\tshe could\tnever\twin. To\tdistract\ther\tfrom\tthat\tmiserable\tthought,\tCelaena\thad\tthen\tspent\tthe\twhole day\t sending\t servants\t between\t the\t Keep\t and\t her\t apartment,\t fetching\t all\t the clothes\tand\tbooks\tand\tjewelry\tthat\tnow\tbelonged\tto\ther\tand\ther\talone.\tThe\tlate afternoon\tlight\tshifted\tinto\ta\tdeep\tgold,\tsetting\tall\tthe\tgreen\trooftops\tglowing. \u201cI\t thought\t you\t might\t be\t up\t here,\u201d\t Sam\t said,\t striding\t across\t the\t flat\t roof\t to where\t she\t sat\t atop\t the\t wall\t that\t lined\t the\t edge.\t He\t surveyed\t the\t city.\t \u201cSome view;\tI\tcan\tsee\twhy\tyou\tdecided\tto\tmove.\u201d","She\t smiled\t slightly,\t turning\t to\t look\t at\t him\t over\t her\t shoulder.\t He\t came\t to stand\t behind\t her,\t and\t reached\t out\t a\t tentative\t hand\t to\t run\t through\t her\t hair.\t She leaned\tinto\tthe\ttouch.\t\u201cI\theard\twhat\the\tdid\u2014about\tboth\tDoneval\tand\tLysandra,\u201d Sam\t murmured.\t \u201cI\t never\t imagined\t he\u2019d\t sink\t that\t low\u2014or\t use\t your\t money\t like that.\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\u201d \u201cIt\twas\twhat\tI\tneeded.\u201d\tShe\twatched\tthe\tcity\tagain.\t\u201cIt\twas\twhat\tI\tneeded\tto make\tme\ttell\thim\tI\twas\tmoving\tout.\u201d Sam\t gave\t a\t nod\t of\t approval.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t just\t sort\t of\t \u2026\t left\t my\t belongings\t in\t your main\troom.\tIs\tthat\tall\tright?\u201d She\tnodded.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tfind\tspace\tfor\tit\tlater.\u201d Sam\tfell\tsilent.\t\u201cSo,\twe\u2019re\tfree,\u201d\the\tsaid\tat\tlast. She\tturned\tfully\tto\tlook\tat\thim.\tHis\tbrown\teyes\twere\tvivid. \u201cI\t also\t heard\t that\t you\t paid\t off\t my\t debt,\u201d\t he\t said,\t his\t voice\t strained.\t \u201cYou\u2014 you\tsold\tyour\tAsterion\thorse\tto\tdo\tit.\u201d \u201cI\thad\tno\tchoice.\u201d\tShe\tpivoted\tfrom\ther\tspot\ton\tthe\troof\tand\tstood.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tnever leave\tyou\tshackled\tto\thim\twhile\tI\twalked\taway.\u201d \u201cCelaena.\u201d\t He\t said\t her\t name\t like\t a\t caress,\t slipping\t a\t hand\t around\t her\t waist. He\tpressed\this\tforehead\tagainst\thers.\t\u201cHow\tcan\tI\tever\trepay\tyou?\u201d She\tclosed\ther\teyes.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto.\u201d He\tbrushed\this\tlips\tagainst\thers.\t\u201cI\tlove\tyou,\u201d\the\tbreathed\tagainst\ther\tmouth. \u201cAnd\tfrom\ttoday\tonward,\tI\twant\tto\tnever\tbe\tseparated\tfrom\tyou.\tWherever\tyou go,\tI\tgo.\tEven\tif\tthat\tmeans\tgoing\tto\tHell\titself,\twherever\tyou\tare,\tthat\u2019s\twhere\tI want\tto\tbe.\tForever.\u201d Celaena\t put\t her\t arms\t around\t his\t neck\t and\t kissed\t him\t deeply,\t giving\t him\t her silent\treply. Beyond\tthem,\tthe\tsun\tset\tover\tthe\tcapital,\tturning\tthe\tworld\tinto\tcrimson\tlight and\tshadows.","THE ASSASSIN AND\tTHE EMPIRE","AFTER Curled\t into\t the\t corner\t of\t a\t prison\t wagon,\t Celaena\t Sardothien\t watched\t the splotches\t of\t shadows\t and\t light\t play\t on\t the\t wall.\t Trees\u2014just\t beginning\t to\t shift into\t the\t rich\t hues\t of\t autumn\u2014seemed\t to\t peer\t at\t her\t through\t the\t small,\t barred window. She\t rested\t her\t head\t against\t the\t musty\t wooden\t wall,\t listening\t to\t the\t creak\t of the\twagon,\tthe\tclink\tof\tthe\tshackles\taround\ther\twrists\tand\tankles,\tthe\trumbling chatter\tand\toccasional\tlaughter\tof\tthe\tguards\twho\thad\tbeen\tescorting\tthe\twagon along\tits\troute\tfor\ttwo\tdays\tnow. But\twhile\tshe\twas\taware\tof\tit\tall,\ta\tdeafening\tsort\tof\tsilence\thad\tsettled\tover her\tlike\t a\t cloak.\t It\t shut\tout\t everything.\tShe\tknew\t she\twas\t thirsty,\tand\t hungry, and\tthat\ther\tfingers\twere\tnumb\twith\tcold,\tbut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tfeel\tit\tkeenly. The\twagon\thit\ta\trut,\tjostling\ther\tso\thard\tthat\ther\thead\tknocked\tinto\tthe\twall. Even\tthat\tpain\tfelt\tdistant. The\tfreckles\tof\tlight\talong\tthe\tpanels\tdanced\tlike\tfalling\tsnow. Like\tash. Ash\t from\t a\t world\t burned\t into\t nothing\u2014lying\t in\t ruins\t around\t her.\t She\t could taste\t the\t ash\t of\t that\t dead\t world\t on\t her\t chapped\t lips,\t settling\t on\t her\t leaden tongue. She\t preferred\t the\t silence.\t In\t the\t silence\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t hear\t the\t worst\t question of\tall:\thad\tshe\tbrought\tthis\tupon\therself? The\twagon\tpassed\tunder\ta\tparticularly\tthick\tcanopy\tof\ttrees,\tblotting\tout\tthe light.\t For\t a\t heartbeat,\t the\t silence\t peeled\t back\t long\t enough\t for\t that\t question\t to worm\tits\tway\tinto\ther\tskull,\tinto\ther\tskin,\tinto\ther\tbreath\tand\ther\tbones. And\tin\tthe\tdark,\tshe\tremembered.","CHAPTER 1","Eleven\tDays\tEarlier Celaena\tSardothien\thad\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tthis\tnight\tfor\tthe\tpast\tyear.\tSitting\ton the\t wooden\t walkway\t tucked\t into\t the\t side\t of\t the\t gilded\t dome\t of\t the\t Royal Theater,\tshe\tbreathed\tin\tthe\tmusic\trising\tfrom\tthe\torchestra\tfar\tbelow.\tHer\tlegs dangled\t over\t the\t railing\t edge,\t and\t she\t leaned\t forward\t to\t rest\t her\t cheek\t on\t her folded\tarms. The\tmusicians\twere\tseated\tin\ta\tsemicircle\ton\tthe\tstage.\tThey\tfilled\tthe\ttheater with\t such\t wondrous\t noise\t that\t Celaena\t sometimes\t forgot\t how\t to\t breathe.\t She had\t seen\t this\t symphony\t performed\t four\t times\t in\t the\t past\t four\t years\u2014but\t she\u2019d always\tgone\twith\tArobynn.\tIt\thad\tbecome\ttheir\tannual\tautumn\ttradition. Though\t she\t knew\t she\t shouldn\u2019t,\t she\t let\t her\t eyes\t drift\t to\t the\t private\t box where,\tuntil\tlast\tmonth,\tshe\u2019d\talways\tbeen\tseated. Was\t it\t from\t spite\t or\t sheer\t blindness\t that\t Arobynn\t Hamel\t now\t sat\t there, Lysandra\t at\t his\t side?\t He\t knew\t what\t this\t night\t meant\t to\t Celaena\u2014knew\t how much\tshe\u2019d\tlooked\tforward\tto\tit\tevery\tyear.\tAnd\tthough\tCelaena\thadn\u2019t\twanted to\tgo\twith\thim\u2014and\tnever\twanted\tanything\tto\tdo\twith\thim\tagain\u2014tonight\the\u2019d brought\tLysandra.\tAs\tif\tthis\tnight\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tanything\tto\thim\tat\tall. Even\t from\t the\t rafters,\t she\t could\t see\t the\t King\t of\t the\t Assassins\t holding\t the hand\tof\tthe\tyoung\tcourtesan,\this\tleg\tresting\tagainst\tthe\tskirts\tof\ther\trose-colored gown.\t A\t month\t after\t Arobynn\t had\t won\t the\t Bidding\t for\t Lysandra\u2019s\t virginity,\t it seemed\tthat\the\twas\tstill\tmonopolizing\ther\ttime.\tIt\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\ta\tsurprise\tif\the\u2019d worked\tout\tsomething\twith\ther\tmadam\tto\tkeep\tLysandra\tuntil\the\ttired\tof\ther. Celaena\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tif\tshe\tpitied\tLysandra\tfor\tit. Celaena\treturned\ther\tattention\tto\tthe\tstage.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tshe\u2019d\tcome here,\t or\t why\t she\u2019d\t told\t Sam\t that\t she\t had\t \u201cplans\u201d\t and\t couldn\u2019t\t meet\t him\t for dinner\tat\ttheir\tfavorite\ttavern. In\tthe\tpast\tmonth,\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tseen\tor\tspoken\tto\tArobynn,\tnor\thad\tshe\twanted to.\t But\t this\t was\t her\t favorite\t symphony,\t the\t music\t so\t lovely\t that,\t to\t fill\t the yearlong\t wait\t between\t performances,\t she\u2019d\t mastered\t a\t fair\t portion\t of\t it\t on\t the pianoforte. The\tsymphony\u2019s\tthird\tmovement\tfinished,\tand\tapplause\tthundered\tacross\tthe shimmering\tarc\tof\tthe\tdome.\tThe\torchestra\twaited\tfor\tthe\tclapping\tto\tdie\tdown before\tit\tswept\tinto\tthe\tjoyous\tallegro\tthat\tled\tto\tthe\tfinale. At\tleast\tin\tthe\trafters,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tbother\tdressing\tup\tand\tpretending\tto","fit\t in\t with\t the\t bejeweled\t crowd\t below.\t She\t had\t easily\t snuck\t in\t from\t the\t roof, and\t no\t one\t had\t looked\t up\t to\t see\t the\t black-clad\t figure\t seated\t along\t the\t railing, nearly\t hidden\t from\t view\t by\t the\t crystal\t chandeliers\t that\t had\t been\t raised\t and dimmed\tfor\tthe\tperformance. Up\there,\tshe\tcould\tdo\twhat\tshe\tliked.\tShe\tcould\trest\ther\thead\ton\ther\tarms,\tor swing\ther\tlegs\tin\ttime\twith\tthe\tmusic,\tor\tget\tup\tand\tdance\tif\tshe\twanted\tto.\tSo what\t if\t she\u2019d\t never\t again\t sit\t in\t that\t beloved\t box,\t so\t lovely\t with\t its\t red\t velvet seats\tand\tpolished\twooden\tbanisters?\tThe\tmusic\tbraided\tthrough\tthe\ttheater,\tand each\tnote\twas\tmore\tbrilliant\tthan\tthe\tlast. She\u2019d\t chosen\t to\t leave\t Arobynn.\t She\u2019d\t paid\t off\t her\t debt\t to\t him,\t and\t Sam\u2019s debt\t to\t him,\t and\t had\t moved\t out.\t She\u2019d\t walked\t away\t from\t her\t life\t as\t Arobynn Hamel\u2019s\t prot\u00e9g\u00e9e.\t That\t had\t been\t her\t decision\u2014and\t one\t she\t didn\u2019t\t regret,\t not after\t Arobynn\t had\t so\t sorely\t betrayed\t her.\t He\u2019d\t humiliated\t and\t lied\t to\t her,\t and used\ther\tblood\tmoney\tto\twin\tLysandra\u2019s\tBidding\tjust\tto\tspite\ther. Though\tshe\tstill\tfancied\therself\tAdarlan\u2019s\tAssassin,\tpart\tof\ther\twondered\thow long\t Arobynn\t would\t allow\t her\t to\t keep\t the\t title\t before\t he\t named\t someone\t else his\tsuccessor.\tBut\tno\tone\tcould\ttruly\treplace\ther.\tWhether\tor\tnot\tshe\tbelonged\tto Arobynn,\tshe\twas\tstill\tthe\tbest.\tShe\u2019d\talways\tbe\tthe\tbest. Wouldn\u2019t\tshe? She\tblinked,\trealizing\tshe\u2019d\tsomehow\tstopped\thearing\tthe\tmusic.\tShe\tshould change\t spots\u2014move\t to\t a\t place\t where\t the\t chandeliers\t blocked\t out\t her\t view\t of Arobynn\t and\t Lysandra.\t She\t stood,\t her\t tailbone\t aching\t from\t sitting\t for\t so\t long on\tthe\twood. Celaena\t took\t a\t step,\t the\t floorboards\t sagging\t under\t her\t black\t boots,\t but paused.\t Though\t it\t was\t as\t she\u2019d\t remembered\t it,\t every\t note\t flawless,\t the\t music felt\tdisjointed\tnow.\tEven\tthough\tshe\tcould\tplay\tit\tfrom\tmemory,\tit\twas\tsuddenly like\t she\u2019d\t never\t heard\t it\t before,\t or\t like\t her\t internal\t beat\t was\t now\t somehow\t off from\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tworld. Celaena\t glanced\t again\t at\t the\t familiar\t box\t far\t below\u2014where\t Arobynn\t was now\t draping\t a\t long,\t muscled\t arm\t along\t the\t back\t of\t Lysandra\u2019s\t seat.\t Her\t old seat,\tthe\tone\tclosest\tto\tthe\tstage. It\twas\tworth\tit,\tthough.\tShe\twas\tfree,\tand\tSam\twas\tfree,\tand\tArobynn\t\u2026\tHe had\tdone\this\tbest\tto\thurt\ther,\tto\tbreak\ther.\tForgoing\tthese\tluxuries\twas\ta\tcheap price\tto\tpay\tfor\ta\tlife\twithout\thim\tlording\tover\ther. The\t music\t worked\t itself\t into\t the\t frenzy\t of\t its\t climax,\t becoming\t a\t whirlwind of\t sound\t that\t she\t found\t herself\t walking\t through\u2014not\t toward\t a\t new\t seat,\t but toward\tthe\tsmall\tdoor\tthat\tled\tonto\tthe\troof. The\tmusic\troared,\teach\tnote\ta\tpulse\tof\tair\tagainst\ther\tskin.\tCelaena\tthrew\tthe"]
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