Nearly an hour later, when Breelia arrived at her room to read before sleeping, surprise flickered in her as she saw Genna waiting for her.

Genna offered her a crisp, almost business-like smile. "Breelia. Could we talk?"

Breelia raised an eyebrow. "About?"

"Surely you won't leave me standing," Genna said, tipping her chin toward the rouom. "May we sit down in there?"

Breelia tried to read the doe's face, but could not. After a moment, she nodded, and stepped around Genna to unlock the door and entered first, claiming the chair by her bed, leaving Genna with teh one by the door. "What?"

Genna smiled slightly, leaning forward as she spoke. "I want to ask a question. But first, I want to assure you that although we're not from here, and seem different than you all—" she waved a hand as if to indicate the citadel— "Timmot and I want nothing but good for everyone involved. This is a step towards that."

Breelia watched her impassively, her heart rate speeding up slightly. "I see."

Genna's tone changed, suddenly sounding darker, though she kept a smile on her face. "Where's your diary of secrets?"

Breelia's eyes widened and she barely kept herself in her chair. She opened her mouth, searching for words, but found none.

Genna raised an eyebrow. "I just need a glimpse at it. That's all. Two seconds."

"I—why?"

"The exact reasoning is none of your business," Genna replied. "You are the most knowledgeable person in this citadel, I would think. I want to know where it is. Now."

Breelia's jaw tightened as her fears of keeping secrets came back to her. Fear of discovery, more like.

"No," she said, standing up. "You have no right to demand such a thing, and I will not yield to such a request."

Genna's eyes narrowed as she also stood. "It would be easier for all of us if you give it to me now," she said.

Breelia's lips thinned. "I said no." She jerked a finger toward the door. "Leave."

Genna didn't move for a full ten seconds.

Breelia took a threatening step toward her, a posture she'd learned from watching bucks when they fought. "I said get out. Now."

Genna didn't back up like she'd hoped she would. "I would think about it if I were you," she answered in a low tone. "We need it for a few minutes. That's worth more than losing something else, isn't it?"

Breelia, mouth tight, ignored her words. "Leave. This. Minute."

Genna didn't move. Bands tightened around Breelia's chest. She hardly knew what she was doing when she stepped even closer to the doe and pushed out with her hands, shoving Genna hard toward the door.

"I said get out! Unless you're deaf?"

Face red, Genna turned around and left, still not saying anything.

Breelia locked the door firmly behind her, then sank into her chair, breath heaving.

There was only one way she could have learned of her diary. Lorena. Inwardly she groaned.

No one except Lorena knew about her diary. They couldn't. If anyone discovered the type of secrets she had on the lord, captain, and other important figures in the citadel, it could prove disastrous for her, and the persons she knew about, depending on who discovered the secrets.

She rubbed her hand over her eyes as she shut them tiredly. She could talk to no one about what had happened. Lorena would know some, because Breelia would be talking to her quite seriously come morning, but beyond that, it would endanger her and possibly others if anyone else knew about it.

She sighed heavily as she leaned back, rubbing her temple. Were her instincts right all along? Most likely. She shouldn't have even started keeping a log of secrets.

Then the other part of her protested. The secrets were mostly in fun, and knowing them didn't hurt anyone. Or, hadn't yet. Without them she was as ignorant as the rest of the rabbits at Blackstone. With them, she could be more powerful than the lord himself.

She glanced around her bedroom, her gaze landing on the chair Genna had been sitting in.

It was good that she did not know what was hidden beneath it.

Breelia pinched her lips in thought, wondering if that was a secure enough hiding place. Surely, it wasn't a place everyone would look straight off.

But it was still in her bedroom. A place outside of her quarters would be safest.

Another's quarters would be safest.

Her mind went to Devert, a lieutenant she had "befriended" out of necessity and knew fairly well. She would be able to gain access to his quarters while he went on a scouting trip in two days.

But until then would Genna be able to find it?