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Tarak’s aura spikes. “That’s on the border of the Aurelian Empire.”

“Aye. And they lost their protection. They’re all going to die because of their heartless Queen. Only we can save them.”

I look at General Ra’al, to try to get a read on him. He is staring at me, but there’s a strange look in his eyes, as if he is thinking of something else. “You here?”

“Watch your tongue,” growls Orr. “Don’t question us.”

Showing emotion is weakness. Even anger. It’s beaten out of us at a young age in Academy. If you’re the weakest link, you let down your squad, but even emotion would be better than the blankness in General Ra’al’s eyes. He doesn’t register that I spoke to him directly, his slate-grey eyes distant.

I gamble. I need to confide in him to get to the heart of why he’s here. I look into his eyes. “My first decade serving the Empire. I was gunning for a couple of Toad raiders that hit an Empire-protected mining camp. Commander called us back. I pretended not to hear. We were lured into a trap. Took three solid hits, pierced our armor, I made a hard landing on the planet below. Hit into a rock wall. A jagged piece smashed through the window and hit me on the skull. That’s how I got this scar,” I say, touching the familiar pale patch on my forehead. I do it when I need to remind myself I’m on borrowed time.

“I lost time. Nothing felt real the next three years. Ra’al, are you here?”

Orr steps forward, his hands balled fists. “I said, don’t question—”

Ra’al raises his hand. “I’m not here. I’m with her. We’re at the wrong place, the wrong time right now. I’m with her.” His eyes focus in on me. “I need warriors like you and Tarak. My mate is on Trebulous, in the path of a thousand Scorp Org-Ships. I will not lie. Many will die. You found your Mate, and I don’t expect you to come—but we leave in one week, once Obsidian has recovered and can guide us through the rift.”

“How many jumps?” I ask.

“Two. But that is not all. There will be more. This is why I came to you. I know you lost a strong man because of the Empire. The wave of Scorp will be on the Aurelian Empire soon. They will be divided. They cannot protect themselves. We strike. Into their heart. Fast, swift vengeance. Obsidian will be placed on the throne of Colossus and you can avenge your battle-brother.”

Tarak loses his quick-witted mind, his aura pulsing up with anger as he imagines cutting down Aurelian Empire soldiers.

Kriz stares at my eyes. “Be careful. You Bonded your Mate. You might not come back to her.”

“Careful with your tongue, now,” I warn him, and he nods, stepping back so as not to provoke me.

Ra’al cocks his head. “I come to you because you are strong warriors who may help me earn my mate. But that is not all I come for. We will lead the charge into the Aurelian Empire. I do not care for glory anymore. I do not care for honor. All I know is that billions will die to put Obsidian on the throne, and trillions will be saved through his strength. We’re going into a sea of red blood.”

A stab of grief hits me. I can see it, as clear as when it happened.

Raython raising his hand, watching himself disappearing, terror obliterating him as he faced an enemy he could not see. The void took him. It was too cruel. He felt his Mate, for a brief, beautiful moment, but because of the Aurelian Empire, he never held her like I did.

He never felt her love.

Rage boils up in me, but it’s controlled. She gave me that back. I’ll use it to stab my sword into the heart of the Empire. I’ll level their cities. I’ll liberate their worlds and put them under the protection of men strong enough to withstand the coming storm.

We’ll save lives…

And avenge Raython.

“He guided us through the void to find our Mate,” says Tarak. “If he can guide ships, that’s the only way to keep the universe safe.”

Ra’al nods. “This is why I serve Obsidian. Not only for my Mate, but for the fate of the universe. Small teams could react to Scorp. The Aurelian Empire cannot do this, and even when shifting was safe, they did not reclaim Wild Space.

I nod. “Our Mate was born in unclaimed territory, and she was captured by slavers because of it.”

Orr grabs the hilt of his Orb-Axe, growling. “We will unite Wild Space under Obsidian’s banner. Tell me, do you fight by our side in this holy war?”

Ra’al’s eyes are far-off again, but they snap to me. “We go in one week. Obsidian must regain his strength. Would you join us?”

My hand clenches on the hilt of my Orb-Blade as I remember my battle-brother melting before my eyes. The warship we left was ordered to cut us down like dogs as we fled, ordered by Queen Jasmine and her cruel triad.

Emperor Raegan. Karan. Baldur. The three men who allowed this weakness to happen, who let planets overthrow their protection and billions die to the Scorp. Those three men who ordered that all deserters be shot down without remorse, that all of us be placed on the Kill List.

“They have to pay for what they did.” I state the words like cold iron. It is not rage that boils up and makes the decision. I am of sound mind.

Iwillget my vengeance.