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No one speaks My fear deepens

After a moment, Daxo peers at his datapad and uncoils himself from his chair to walk to the balcony door He opens it just as a streak of metal slams onto the stone parapet outside I flinch as Niobe, fresh fro like mine brimstone Her armor is slick from the rain and leaves puddles on the floor as she stalks past her taller son into the roo foxhead hel from her face into the collar of her armor Bloodyhell

The pleasant, welcoone Replaced by a violent warlord Bags gather under her eyes And her neck fat pushes against the collar of her too-tight armor It’s been some time since she wore it, I know

“Take off her muzzle,” Daxo tells Holiday The woman undoes the ue depressor I gasp air in through ue over the raw spots the plasticarmored jacket I exhale in pain as my dislocated shoulder jostles

“Lady Niobe—” I say quickly

“Do not speak,” she says, barely able to look at me

“Is Kavax—”

“Silence!” she roars She sla the black wood I reel back “You will speak when spoken to, or Jove help me, I will…” Her words falter and she steps back Her son reaches back to comfort her I tremble, not just from fear, but from the inability to explain, to put into words how sorry I aainst the s A fire crackles in the corner and I shift, unable to meet their eyes

“Is Kavax alive?” I ask

There’s no response “Barely,” Niobe whispers “He may still die”

“Lyria of Lagalos” Daxo leans toward ht His voice alone is twice the size of me “Your life, such as it is, depends on what y

ou say in the minutes that follow Do you understand?”

“I understand I got information I saw them, the people that did this I can help you”

“Good The truth is your only refuge” He nods to Holiday behindless than forthco, other measures will be taken” His hand brushes the aquariu the heat from his skin “Invasive measures”

“There was a in