Page 82 of Forsaken Secrets

But being part of the Reapers was dangerous enough, and they were completely separate from the Kings.

If I were to join her team, I'd be working directly for the King Torsten, the leader of the military. Could I actually stay hidden there?

A thousand pounds per year, though …

Gods. That would completely change Aunt Grace's life! It might be worth it.

Wait … did she say apprentice for a year?

"A year with no income?"

Lady Frexin nodded, nose wrinkling. "Unfortunately, even I can't prevent my team from going to basic training. It's required for every branch of the military. We can sometimes find grants to help provide housing, but they're measly. If you rushed through, perhaps you could be done in six months? It is an intensive training, though. I've only heard of a few people making it through that quickly."

I grimaced, remembering the long list of repairs needing to be done at home, and Aunt Grace's plea to help more. There was no way that I could stay away that long.

At least not with Lady Ellingsworth breathing down our necks.

Perhaps after we got it all situated, though …

No. It really was too dangerous until I was able to shield like Lynk and Eli did.

I dropped into another curtsey. "I'm very sorry, Lady Frexin. While I truly appreciate the offer, I cannot accept it at this time. There are responsibilities at home that make such a long amount of time without pay impossible."

She studied me for a moment, then nodded and reached into her reticule to pull out a second small card. Clucking her tongue, she passed it to me. "Well, I cannot pretend I'm not disappointed. But I do understand. If anything ever changes," the way she paused gave me an eerie feeling, "you can contact me there."

Without waiting for my reply, she turned to the shopkeeper. "Treat this girl as if she was me, Tiernan. You will give her whatever she requests. Do you understand? Just bill the team as usual."

My eyes widened, and I started to disagree, but Eli's hand on my arm stopped me from saying anything else.

Lady Frexin grabbed her shawl from the manservant we'd seen in the back and turned to us once more. "I'll be seeing you, Miss Maderoth. But in the meantime, be careful. And don't forget to reach out when you need it!"

Then the door chimed, and she slipped out, calming pendant relic in hand.

I slumped against Eli's shoulder. I'd been offered a job under King Torsten in a special branch of the military that would pay a thousand pounds a year, and I'd turned it down …

Gods. It was a strange day.

Tiernan stared at me speculatively, then motioned for us to follow him.

I stood up and let out a deep breath. I just needed to focus on the problem at hand.

It was risky, but this might have been just the break we needed …

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