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"How much time do I have?"

The Commander refused to answer

Which meant not much Valek knew the Commander’s physical body was female, but Ambrose had always identified as male and lived as a man since puberty No one else was privy to this infor abilities detected that the Cone had died in childbirth, her ic transferred her soul to her baby The Commander had trusted Yelena and Valek to keep it a secret

"I came to talk to your mother," Valek said

He shrank back in his chair "She can’t talk"

"She can if you let her"

"I can’t Owen" He pressed his fingers into his tene’s the reason for the inconsistencies Why you could send me and Yelena away, despite Owen’s influence on your mind Owen doesn’t have control of your mother’s soul"

"Owen thinks he does, but he can’t knowor all is lost"

"I’ll be quick so he doesn’t find out," Valek promised

The transforne, would have been startling if Valek hadn’t seen it before His features didn’t shift, but from one breath to the next, another person peered froray hair, she appeared feet to Ambrose?" Valek asked her

"Owen pleaded for his life He proe It appeared to be a standard business deal, but Owen planted aseed, I think, during that first estion in Ambrose’s mind that Oas to be trusted"

Ah, hell That was over four years ago

"What happened to the null shields in his uniforms?"

"Owen forced Ambrose to lie about the influenced by the ician"

Valek considered "It worked Plus, I didn’t notice any change in him Not then"

"No one did It was subtle In fact, A Curare for his soldiers Owen kept the connection hidden until he arrived at the castle By then it was too late"

"When is Owen planning to take over Sitia?"

"Once the Cartel has control of the Sitian n enerals to the clans"