Now she was the captain of a starship she was too scared to fly. She was doing more than she’d ever dreamed of doing, but not quite in the way she’d planned.
A voice suddenly buzzed into the overhead com, drawing Andi’s attention from the planet back to the dash.
“This is Patrol 73 paging the Marauders. Do you copy?”
She tapped the rear-cam and saw the telltale form of an Explorer Patrol ship looming not far behind.
“Marauders to Patrol 73. Do we have clearance to enter?”
Static crackled on the line. For a moment, her gut screamed at her to beg Dex to turn the ship around, soar back out into the skies and hide herself and her crew in the shadows of the nearest moon.
Before she could do anything rash, the voice on the com spoke.
“Patrol 73 to the Marauders. Initiate hover mode.”
Dex pressed a button next to the throttle. “Hover control activated,” he responded. Soon the prox alarm went off, signaling that the Patrol ships had latched on to theirs. They escorted the Marauders to the planet’s surface, looking like monsters dropping from the night sky.
“Welcome home, Androma,” Andi whispered to herself.
Chapter Sixty-Six
* * *
DEX
DEX FANCIED HIMSELF a rugged man, plenty capable of surviving the harsher conditions that some planets in Mirabel had to offer. He’d survived a bone-shattering winter on Solera, sweated through half of his hard-earned wardrobe on the desert moon Kaniv, and spent countless hours forcing himself to stay awake in the midst of pointless meetings during his days training to become a Guardian.
But as much as he disliked the pompous, wealthy citizens of the military planet Arcardius, he relished the beauty of it as a whole. It was a shiny, glittering type of place and, rugged bounty hunter or not, Dex was not ashamed to be a fan of things that sparkled.
As the Patrol ships escorted them through the atmosphere and into the Arcardian skies, Dex could practically taste the fine bubbling liquor he’d drink—endless amounts of it, due to the planet-load of Krevs the general was about to deliver into his account, plus the badge of honor that would be reattached to his chest.
No longer would he bow in shame when he passed other Guardians. He’d be one of them again, after all this time.
He blew out a breath of air, focusing on the view as they dropped closer to the ground. There were plenty of other, smaller ships in the sky, all of which parted before them as their escorts cleared the way.
The main continent of Arcardius came into view, a glorious green scattered with waterside cities. There was Dex’s sparkle. Spiraling towers of glass that soared high into the sky, razor sharp and yet soft all at once, rendered by a master architect’s hand. Their reflections seemed to dance on the water’s surface, doubling the beauty of it all.
The Arcardian flag, blue with a silver bursting star icon in the center, was on display everywhere. The largest one covered the entire edge of a domed building—the renowned military Academy Andi had attended before becoming a Spectre.
In between the buildings were personal transport ships of the finest kind. Racers and Thrusters and Dex’s personal favorite, Sky Blades—black single-passenger carbon ships that were as light as a feather, capable of soaring faster than anything else on Arcardius.
From the number of transports in the city, it was clear that the crowds had begun to arrive for the Summit. Citizens traveled from all across Mirabel to meet each year and witness the system leaders renew their bonds of friendship and lasting peace.
No wonder General Cortas had been so insistent on their returning Valen on schedule—he no doubt wanted to publicly announce his son’s rescue and Mirabel’s triumph over Xen Ptera once more.
After the attack on Adhira, however, Dex didn’t feel as if they’d truly achieved any kind of victory in bringing Valen home.
Across the city, set apart from the splendor, a cluster of natural gravarocks hovered in the sky. Large, floating bits of land—some mountainous, others not—where the wealthiest of Arcardius chose to take up residence.
Dex could pinpoint the general’s with a single glance.
It was easily the largest of them all, save for the great floating mountain they’d passed on their way in. On its top, visible even from here, was the Cortas estate, Averia. It was made up of several sprawling white buildings so pristine and bright that just looking at the complex hurt Dex’s eyes.
He glanced sideways at Andi and noticed the way her hands were curled tightly on her armrests. Almost as if she were flying into battle, rather than soaring toward the biggest payout of her life. Toward the place she’d once called home, which could soon be hers again, if she wished it.
“It’s just a building, Baroness,” Dex said, his voice light.
But he knew what the Arcardians had done to her.
He knew how broken she had been when he’d found her in that market so long ago.
A strange feeling came over him in that moment as he watched her looking upon her old home. He wanted to reach out and touch her hand. He wanted to kiss her—not in the way he almost had on Adhira.
Something gentler. Sweeter.
The kind of kiss Dex knew he didn’t deserve to give her.
When this job was done, the best gift Dex could offer Andi was leaving. She’d never have to see him again after this.
It was almost too much, looking at her now and knowing it wasn’t him she needed anymore. Perhaps she never truly had.
His voice hushed, Dex sent a com to Andi’s crew to join them on the bridge.
When they arrived, he stood silently from his chair and headed for the door.
He stopped before he stepped into the hall and cast a quick glance over his shoulder.
The crew had formed a half circle behind Andi.
The giantess, with all her strength. The small gunner, with the yowling horned furball in her arms. And then there was the pilot, her expression sickly, whose gentle support was felt nonetheless.
It was then that Dex realized they weren’t standing in a circle. Instead, they had formed a wall around Andi, protecting her with their presence.
Some things were far more powerful than weapons or words.
Dex left the four of them alone together, savoring the silence as the Patrol ships carted them toward the Cortas estate.
Chapter Sixty-Seven
* * *
ANDROMA
ANDI FELT AS if she were traveling into the past. Back to the only place in the galaxy that thought of her not as the fearsome Bloody Baroness, but as the soldier who’d failed her sworn duty.
The girl who had betrayed them all.
Andi took a deep breath, pulling herself up to her full height as the loading ramp of the stolen warship hit the ground with a soft thunk.
The massive dock spread before her and her crew, pristine white walls and marble flooring with gray veins running through it. Ships of all shapes and sizes lined the space like a waiting crowd. But despite the splendor of the space, it still smelled like grease stains and recycled air and hundreds of gallons’ worth of fuel.
It was exactly as Andi remembered.
The last time she’d been in this room, Kalee was still alive.
Andi thought of her best friend’s laughter, bright with the warmth of excitement. Her voice bubbling over with a palpable joy as she tossed Andi the ignition card to her father’s ship and said, Take us to the skies.
A hand touched Andi’s wrist, just above her cuff.
She glanced to the right, where Valen stood watching her closely, as if he knew and understood.
“I can feel her, too,” he whispered. His eyes were haunted.
It was as if Kalee’s ghost was here now, watching and waiting for Andi to bolt. To run away like she’d always done, one foot in front of the oth
er, until she’d left the things she couldn’t face behind.
She wanted to pave the way for her crew, to take the first step off the ship, but she was frozen in place.
If she felt this way now, what feelings would await her when she passed through this docking bay, into the halls of the Cortas estate? There were too many memories. Too many feelings she didn’t want to uncover. Worst of all, there were people from her past waiting inside. People whose names and faces brought forth a terrible sense of longing and dread.
For a moment, Andi wished so desperately that the veil of the Bloody Baroness would fall across her eyes. That she could march fearlessly into the unknown.
“Well,” Dex said suddenly, stepping up beside her. “Time to go collect our payment.” He cast a sideways glance at Andi, a determined look in his eyes as he nodded curtly at her. “Ladies first, Androma.”
She felt him nudge her, gently, with his boot.
With a deep breath, she stepped forward, each motion of her leaden feet propelling her farther down the gangway until she was finally on solid ground.
They were halfway across the room when the exit doors burst open.
Lines of servants and guards appeared through them, all sporting Arcardian blue. A massive silver med droid rolled over, prong-like arms outspread for Breck to hand Lon over.
“Go,” Andi said to Lira. “Make sure they take care of him.”
Her pilot nodded gratefully and followed the med droid toward the infirmary.
As the crowd began to thicken, every estate worker greeting Valen like an old friend, a gasp suddenly rang out.
“Valen!”
The crowd parted to reveal a woman Andi hadn’t seen since her trial.
Valen’s mother, Merella Cortas.
She had aged dramatically over the past four years. Wrinkles surrounded her eyes and mouth, and her blond curls were liberally streaked with silver. Andi glanced at Valen, whose face was devoid of emotion, not even a twitch of his facial muscles to betray what he was thinking. His nervous energy was washed away, as if he had been drenched with cold water.
All eyes were on them as Valen’s mother ran to him, heels clacking on the marble floor, her blue gown rippling like waves of water.
She swept Valen into a bone-crushing hug.
“It’s you. It’s really you, my boy,” Merella sobbed into Valen’s clenched shoulders. His arms cautiously slipped around her, as if he were afraid to touch her. “My boy, my precious little boy. You’re home.”
“Home,” Valen echoed the word.
Andi turned away, knowing she didn’t deserve to be here.
Feeling as if she had already tainted Averia with her presence, like a murderer returning to the scene of their very first crime.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
* * *
ANDROMA
AVERIA WAS EXACTLY as she remembered.
Andi would never forget the first time she’d come here, following Kalee into the entry hall as she gave Andi a tour of her home.
It’s a bit much, Kalee had said. But it’s home. And someday, I’ll be the one running this place.
You? Andi had asked. Not your brother?
Oh, Androma. Kalee had laughed then, tossing her head back in that glorious, carefree way that made everyone around her want to come closer. You and I both know that a woman can rule better than any man ever could. And I’ll look twice as good doing it, too.
Those memories tugged at Andi’s heart, colliding with the present as Alfie guided her and Dex through the winding halls toward the general’s private office.
Andi knew the route as well as she knew the halls of the Marauder. So many times, she’d walked this very path, always ensuring she’d arrive right on time for her debriefings with the head Spectre of Averia. Sometimes, even, with the general himself.
He hadn’t even come to greet Valen as they’d landed. A sign that, no matter the circumstances, he would always put his position ahead of his family. That, Andi had always known, was something Kalee would never have done.
If only she’d grown up here the way she should have.
If only she’d become the general’s successor, carrying the Phelexos System to heights that her father would never be able to attain, despite all his scheming.
Arcardius was built upon honor and glory. Andi had often wondered if General Cortas had discarded honor entirely. And yet he’d been determined to destroy Andi for the same mistake.
“Damn,” Dex said with a whistle as they walked past family portraits and extravagant Arcardian landscapes rich with color, some of which Andi recognized as Valen’s work. “Valen grew up in style.” He glanced at Andi. “I can see why you befriended his sister in the first place.”
“No one befriended Kalee Cortas,” Andi said as they passed by a painted portrait of the entire Cortas family. Andi dropped her gaze as they walked on, not wanting to see her old friend’s smile. Not wanting to look into Kalee’s eyes and remember the last moment she’d seen them alight with life. “Kalee chose the people she wished to let into her life. I was honored that she allowed me to be assigned to her.”
“Honored?” Dex asked, raising a bruised brow. “Or damned?”
“I’ll let you know after we talk to the general,” Andi said.
Light streamed in through windows that stretched from floor to ceiling and were draped with elegant satin the color of honey. Even though she knew this place, had spent countless nights wandering these halls, Andi felt wrong here, as out of place as her work boots, coated in the evidence of the past as she tracked invisible stains across the ornate rugs that lined the hallway.
They passed several servants at work, dusting and shining the bright orb-lights on the walls and washing the windows.
The servants openly stared at Andi as they passed, not bothering to be discreet. If Andi was in their position, she would probably be doing the same thing. Who wouldn’t, when the traitorous Spectre they’d thought long gone had returned, still alive and well.
Let them stare, Andi thought. Let them look.
She glared at them, pleased to find their attention suddenly move elsewhere as Alfie rounded a corner and they left the workers behind.
They passed many closed doors and vacant hallways, Dex whistling, Alfie’s gears whirring with each step.
“You remember it all, don’t you?” Dex asked.
“Every little bit,” Andi said. “Even the hidden escape tunnels that the general installed. He loved to put them in closets, bathrooms, under the bars...”
She trailed off as they stopped before the sweeping grand staircase in the center of the estate.
This was where she’d last seen Valen. Before everything changed. Where he’d tried to stop her and Kalee, knowing how foolish their plans were.
They’d gone on anyway, leaving him behind.
“Andi,” Dex said. She glanced back up to where he and Alfie stood waiting a few steps ahead.
“I’m coming,” she replied, feeling like a ghost of her old self as she followed them upward, thinking of another time, a different person heading up the stairs in Dex’s place.
The stairway stopped on the next landing, where they took a left, walked down a red-carpeted hallway and finally stopped before a locked oak door.
“General Cortas is just inside,” Alfie said, waving his hand at the door. “His head Spectre will be out in just a moment to retrieve you. When you finish the job, General Cortas will send over your Krevs.”
“We already finished the job,” Dex said.
“General Cortas will decide that upon his inspection of Valen,” Alfie answered.
There was something strange in his normally overpleasant voice that Andi couldn’t quite place.
She nearly asked him if he was alright, knowing Alfie was capable of far more complex thinking than she’d originall
y guessed. He’d saved the crew’s life, after all, with his launcher. And he’d even remembered to bring Gilly’s hellish creature, a sign that Alfie had some understanding of feelings and attachments.
“Alfie, are you sure everything’s—”
The click of the door opening behind her made her stop.
“I’m sorry for the delay,” a man’s voice said. It was kind, but in more of a diplomatic way than truly sincere.
It was also disconcertingly familiar.
She turned slowly, as if in a dream.
Andi knew the man standing before her—better than most. She remembered the pale white-blond of his hair, the moon-gray of his eyes and the way he stood tall and strong—the very same habit he’d imprinted upon his daughter from a young age.
For a moment, her heart leaped with joy.
Then it seized when she saw the deep blue uniform he was wearing. The gloves with the Arcardius symbol that Andi had once worn, too, and then Alfie’s words came back to her. His head Spectre will be out in just a moment.
It took everything in her to speak as the truth struck her.
“Dad?”
Chapter Sixty-Nine
* * *
ANDROMA
ANDI WAS A SURVIVOR, and always had been.
She’d survived the crash and the death of Kalee, the trial that had branded her with a traitor’s fate. The weeks spent on the run across the galaxy afterward, the months beyond that when Dex had found her. She’d lived through twelve hours a day of training with Dex to hone the skills her father and the Academy had given her, gradually turning into the killer that she was now. She’d sustained cuts and lashes and muscles so sore she’d worried they had snapped, that she would never be able to raise a hand or stand on her own again.
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