AT A LITTLE AFTER LUNCHTIME, Reina found herself sitting at a cramped desk in a huge shop on the main thoroughfare of the City. She was traveling as Reina Draven and had to do things in the city that Reina Draven would do. And the best excuse she had to be outside of Nina’s territory was work related. She’d explained to the owner of the shop, Commus, that she was interested in how other people on Tarni did their accounting and had received special dispensation to study and meet with professionals for one week.
It was even true. Except she hadn’t made any of the plans. This stroke of brilliance belonged solely to Stoan or one of his companions.
Traveling under regular business made it easier to finagle her invitation to the gala. At least it did in theory. Commus had seated her in front o
