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suited for the original plants, so we are having to alter the structure of the plant without changing the taste of the fruit. It is quite the challenge.”
    Amly absorbed the delight and pride that Wekiat was taking in being able to use her talent. She was fulfilled. It was obvious.
    Keezik touched her arm. “It is time for your appointment. We cannot be late.”
    She nodded and asked Wekiat, “Would you explain it all to me later?”
    Wekiat nodded. “I would be delighted to. Dinner in the common room?”
    Amly nodded. “I will see you there.”
    With her heart a little lighter, she followed Keezik up and into the Citadel for her appointment with the spymaster.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    Keezik led her to the door and nodded. “I leave you here. Whether you do or do not impress Equilar will be entirely up to you.”
    Amly nodded and knocked on the door. When a voice called for her to enter, she opened the door and stepped into the only interview that could have an effect on her life. All the other interviews had been taken to save others. This was the first one for her alone.
    She kept her hands at her sides as she approached the woman, and she paused a few feet away from the straight back until a hand lifted and the fingers snapped, pointing at the seat across from her.
    The dark rainbow hair was teased with grey, but it was still ornately drawn up in a hairstyle that gave the wearer dignity and presence.
    “I generally do not answer to snaps, Lady Deeha.” Amly sat primly with her hands folded loosely in her lap.
    “I no longer answer to that name. Equilar is all that I wear as my title, that and Grandma.”
    “As I do not qualify to call you the second, I shall address you as the first.”
    Equilar pointed at the tablet she was scrolling through. “You have an impressive record, Miss Hyde.”
    That comment did not call for an answer. It was an observation, not a compliment.
    The older woman slowly smiled. “You are the first candidate I have met recently who didn’t try to fill the silences.”
    “Danger lies in loose tongues.”
    Equilar’s smile widened. “It does indeed. Now, show me what you can do.”
    “What would you like to see?”
    “Dazzle me.”
    Shrugging, Amly turned into Fixer.
    Equilar had been lifting her tea to her lips. She put it down with a clatter. “Stand up.”
    Amly stood while the older woman circled her, examining her bodysuit and the fall of her hair.
    “That is incredible. You even have the same twist to her lips.” Equilar blinked. “Do me.”
    “May I touch your skin?”
    “Is it necessary?”
    “It helps. I can match your physical appearance without it, but I will be lacking your mannerisms and the mental shield of your surface thoughts.”
    Curious, Equilar extended her hand for her relative to take. Fixer gripped Equilar’s hand and seconds later, two women were facing each other staring into the matching eyes and copied features.
    “Please have a seat and pour tea.” Equilar was fighting her astonishment, and she sat carefully while watching Amly intently.
    Amly drew on Equilar’s reflexes, and she settled the cups just so before adding the whitener and then checking the pot temperature with a subtle touch of her hand. She poured two thirds of the cup full, and then, she sat back, putting sweetening into her tea with a deft twist of her wrist.
    Three precise twists of the spoon and she set it down on the edge of her saucer, gesturing with her fingers for the true Equilar to do the same.
    Equilar was stunned and she smiled slightly. “I have to say, I am very impressed and I now realize that I have many more mannerisms than I would gladly admit to myself.”
    “May I resume my original form? I can see that this one is upsetting you.”
    Equilar nodded. “Of course. Is it difficult to hold a shape?”
    “I would revert after four hours in that form. That is when the contact would wear off. I could still wear your form with effort, but it would only be the