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Maria V. Snyder

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“A little present from my run-in with a sword. Or should I say from when the sword had a run-in with me?” His eyes lit up. “Want to see the scar? It’s cool.” He started pulling his shirt out of his pants. “Janco,” Ari warned. “We’re not supposed to be fraternizing with the Sitians.” “But she’s not Sitian. Right, Yelena? You haven’t gone south on us, have you?” Janco’s voice held mock horror. “Because if you have I can’t give you your present.” I took my switchblade out, showing the inscription to Janco. “What about ‘Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever’? Does that change if I become an official southerner?” Janco rubbed the hair on his chin, considering. “No,” Ari said. “You could change into a goat and it would still apply.”

“Janco leaned on the threshold of my door with his face creased in annoyance. “Did she just—” “Yes.” “But I don’t—” “Yes. You do. We both stink.” “Well, I’m not—” “Yes. You are.” He huffed. “You won’t let—” “No. No complaining. Let’s go.” I grabbed a clean shirt and pants from my saddlebags. “Well, she could have handled it better,” he grumped. “No. She couldn’t.” He settled into a sulky silence as we visited the bathhouse.”

“I shook my head at Janco. “I’ve got the situation under control. Go back to the Keep, I’ll meet you there.” Janco stared at me in astonished silence. Ari, though, trusted me. “Come on, she doesn’t need our help.” Ari sheathed his sword. Janco recovered. He flashed me one of his mischievous grins. “I’ll bet you a copper that she’ll be free in five minutes,” he said to Ari. Ari grunted in amusement. “A silver on ten minutes,” he countered. “I’ll bet you both a gold coin that she kills him,” Valek said from behind them. They moved aside and he entered, still dressed in his Adviser Ilom disguise. “The only way to take care of your problem. Right, love?”

“I said to Zitora. “With the proper training, you could escape from him. You wouldn’t last in a sparring match, but that’s not what self-defense is all about. Remember what I told you? Hit and—” “Git!” Janco added. “Run like a bunny with a wolf on its tail. I see you’re passing our wisdom on, Yelena.” Janco turned to Zitora, and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “She was trained by the very best instructors in all of Ixia.” “Another rule of self-defense is never believe everything you hear,” Ari said when Zitora appeared to be impressed by Janco’s words.”

“Did you send a message?” “No time.” “Couldn’t you at least lie to me?” “Oh. Uh...I did send a message, and now the entire Ixian army is camped outside this compound.” “You’re a lousy liar.” “My one flaw,” she joked. “One?” Janco choked. “I know at least a dozen. You’re terrible at avoiding capture, following orders—” “I can say the same for you. What part of ‘wait for me before you go inside’ didn’t you understand?”

“He wanted to name the horse we’re taking with us ‘Beach Bunny,’ after some stuffed rabbit he had growing up, and I said it was a stupid name for a horse. Then he claimed, if it was his horse, he could name it anything he wanted, and I said he should ride The Madam because she’s the easiest to handle, and—” “You offended his pride and he stalked away in a huff,” Yelena finished. “Yup.”

“The Commander’s lying is a more...recent event.” “But he didn’t tell you about Owen.” “Oh, he’s kept things from me before, but he’s never looked me in the eye and lied.” “What changed?” she asked. What indeed? “I suspect a few things.” “Such as?” “Not here, love. Janco’s far more interested in our conversation than his dreams.” “Am not,” Janco said, not in the least embarrassed he’d been caught eavesdropping. “Besides, I don’t have dreams, I have nightmares.” Before Janco could launch into a detailed description, Valek said, “Then we’ll let you get back to them.”

“I stood in time to get knocked back into my seat by her flying hug. “I’ve missed you, too.” She clutched me tight. “Can’t...breathe.” Releasing me, she laughed. “That’s my necklace-snake move. I clamp on and squeeze until the person passes out. Do you like it?” “It’s very effective.” She beamed. “Did you invent it or—” “Lacole taught me. She said since I’m small, my best defense in hand to hand is to clamp on and not let go.” “Death by hug. I love it,” Janco said. “Which explains why no one wants to date you,” Onora muttered.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t go after him.” And glad. “I wanted to, but Ari stopped me.” “Did he sit on you?” I teased. That earned me a smile. “No. He used logic.” “Yay for logic.” “I better go and tell them you’re safe. They’re waiting with the guards.” “The guards?” “Yes, I insisted they remain there. It was difficult since Ari and Janco won’t let me go anywhere on my own.” “That’s good. Stronger together, remember?” He hesitated for a second, then said, “I need to tell Ari he was right.” “It could be worse.” Valek waited. “It could be Janco who was right.” “Ah, yes. That would be worse.”

“Ah, just like old times,” Janco said. “Oh, wait. What am I saying? It’s just like almost every time I’m with you, Yelena. Don’t you get tired of being arrested all the time?” “You’re exaggerating,” I said. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot about our last mission. We weren’t locked up, just tied down. My mistake.” “Give it a rest, Janco,” Ari said. “Yeah, well, it seems every time I’m in Sitia, I’m thrown into jail. Do you think they’ll stamp my frequent-visitor card? I think I get a prize if I’ve been in them all.”

“No problem. I know you’ll want to take a closer look. It’s irresistible, like candy and babies.” “I know I’m going to regret asking this, but you find candy and babies irresistible?” Ari asked. “Hell no. They’re both sticky.” His partner waited. “Some people find them irresistible. And, you know...” Janco waved his hand. “They’re easy to steal...or something like that.” “I was right.” “About what?” “I regret asking that question.”