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There’s a Bug escort waiting for us at the bottom of the ramp They look militant, but not hostile Vel deals with them and confirms they’re supposed to convey us to the forives me ample time to fret

I’d say I have butterflies in ate would overhear, and it would be mistranslated to mean I’ve eaten so before it’s begun

Actually, that’s not fair Since Vel functions as ht is just a

I surreptitiously swipe old robe So far, so good, but I’d be lying if I claiht rested on my shoulders

Dina, Hit, Jael, and March stand at uard Doc stayed aboard the ship with Rose to work on some data he received from Keri on Lachion Vel stands on one side of me, ready to interpret On my left I have Constance, who looks almost prim in her black suit I hope I don’t make any terrible mistakes here

The chamber where the Ithtorian council has received us defiesalien aesthetic sensibilities Instead of inert furnishings or fabric on the floors, everything appears to bealive Chairs are dense, cultivated shrubberies with petal-soft leaves; I runthe “arm” and enjoy a purely sensual shiver

I’ve never stood inside a rooentle pulse all around us, alreenery, splashed with cri

With some effort, I pull s are different froe cross his thorax, but I’m not sure what they mean, whether they’re a natural display or an artificial one that bespeaks status I make a mental note to ask Vel

Though I can’t yet tell by physical appearance, Sharis isconventions to me, so I understand that the prefix “Il” hter of” They trace their lineage through theprovides the family name Thus, Vel is the son of a politician named Nok

Sharis Il-Wan is speaking now, his gestures strange and measured I watch his mandible, but I can’t read him as I do Vel The bounty hunter who first stalked me, then saved my life more times than I can count at this point, considers for a ins the translation

“Sharis bids you welconizant of the honor, for they have not permitted an outworld ship to dock in two hundred turns”

Though I’ve practiced for this occasion, I feel lomerate is honored by your hospitality and looks forward to shaping a new accord between our people”

As Vel relays h? Too much? Doubt ferments insidefor Il-Wan’s response

“Well-spoken,” Sharis says, via Vel’s translation “It would gratify me if you would consent to accompany me to the banquet hall We have researched your preferences and are confident you will find a number of palatable dishes”

I’eneral Nevertheless, I nod “It would be my pleasure”

Sharis leads the way along a bioengineered hallway As best I can tell, the entire building is alive, and it’s been sculpted to its current dimensions Movement catchesback into the wall I pause long enough to take stock, realizing that the structure is hollow,I’ve ever seen

“It’s taking care of maintenance,” Vel reminds me

I re cram sessions aboard the Lachion ship The Ithtorians have developed a part-organic, part- and renovating their surroundings behind the scenes I’d be a little suspicious of such a convenience, waiting for the little bugs to turn on the big ones, but then I’ out for a knife in the back

Behind us, e follows in neat pairs: Vel and Constance, Dina and Hit, Jael and March My lover worries me He’s not the man I fell in love with anymore; there’s darkness and a coldness in hiainst naked skin I can’t touch hi some brutal retaliationit’s like his nerves are wound too tight

There’s precious little gentleness left in him All that rerateful he came back to me at all He could have walked away, taken up his old life as aback Earlier, he said he re me, but he couldn’t feel it anymore

That hurts in ways I can’t allow et past this initial contact, I’ll let myself consider the problem Try to find a solution But I can’t fret about personal ive this a my all, no matter how much the Syndicate—and my mother—want me to fail

I still have a hard tile largest organized-cri, loansharking, prostitution, chem, weapons, oods and slaves—nothing is too dirty for her, as long as it pro an interstellar conflict to improve her bottom line

Vel and Constance give e with their proxiht as we pass through a series of latticed archways, then into a wide, al; I shouldn’t think of the as I don’t speak the designation out loud, we should be golden