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Then, the man looks up, breaking eye contact with Dorian. Your hand goes to the hilt of your sword, just in case, but when he waves to his companions, he’s not signaling an attack. He’s telling them to stand down.

Dorian steers him over to join you, one hand on his shoulder, but gently. There’s a definite pinkness in his cheeks now and he’s walking a little closer to Dorian than you’d expect from two people who have known one another for five minutes. You’ll have to remember to congratulate Dorian on his… diplomacy… when this is all over.

“The Grand Proving Arena,” the man says. “That’s where your friend is.”

Ashur only nods, but Tarquin says, “How do we know this isn’t another trap?”

Dorian’s gaze slides sideways to the man beside him, who says, “I don’t know. It probably is. There’ll be Venatori all over.”

“I don’t think our friend here is necessarily privy to all the information,” says Dorian. “We’ll just have to find out for ourselves.”

The man nods. “Right,” he says. “And… maybe you and I could… continue our conversation later?”

Somehow, you doubt that will happen, but Dorian only winks at him as you turn to leave.

• Turn to page 70.