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Dorian leans forward a little more and says something low and flirtatious to the magister. When that doesn’t work, he reverts to taunting—evidently another diplomatic skill Dorian has learned from his time in the Magisterium. Neither is effective, but both seem to be annoying the man. You don’t realize at first that this is exactly what Dorian is going for—a distraction—but it soon clicks as you hear scuffling sounds from behind you.

It’s hard not to turn and look, but you force yourself to stay facing forward, ignorant of what’s going on behind you until Tarquin says loudly, “All right. You got me. Don’t hurt my friends.”

Then you do look—and see Tarquin decked out in the Viper’s hat and mask. Ashur, beside him, is bare-headed, his face hidden only by his upturned collar.

There’s no way this can work, you think, as the mage crosses the last few feet of distance between himself and your group and leans in to peer closely at Tarquin’s hastily hidden face.

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