Page 272 (1/2)

In theEphraiiven us for the journey Victra watches Volga secure the coffin inside “It isn’t proper,” Victra says “Keeping her froe when you have had your own”

“Haven’t you seen enough of that?” I ask

“Not while Atalantia breathes Not while Fá breathes They cost me my son”

“You wanna lose the rest of your children?”

Her eyes swivel down to me, and in a second I’m reminded of who she is, and who I am “Careful, Blister”

This woman owns cities and fleets, but I let her alone out of respect for her loss ht When it came down to it, she was just a mother on her own

A Sol Guard rushes up to Victra and whispers so I can’t hear She frowns “Let them in”

“All of them?”

“It’s the Reaper’s gorydamn brother What do you think?”

Fivepad, and the ArchGovernor of Mars walks out Not Rollo Soht in the Citadel Instead it is now Kieran O’Lykos You wouldn’t even think he was the saer than I ahter and Laureltide dances But he ain’t laughing as he strides toward Victra with two hundred Sons of Ares at his back He looks like he’s gonna puke

The Sol Guard nod in respect to their allies

I haven’t seen that spiked helmet painted on armor in years It really does chill the blood The ArchGovernor greets Victra with a hug and casts a look at Volga before swooping Pax and Electra up—as arlands them with kisses, and then turns back to Victra with a somber look

“Is there someplace we could speak in private?” he asks She roups of soldiers chat across the lines as Victra and the ArchGovernor walk along the water Pax watches intently “What are they saying?” Volga asks

“My hearing isn’t that good,” he replies

“Nor your judgment,” she says point-blank Pax looks up at her and is about to say so when she turns her back on hi h hiony