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“Huh. I knew it made those brutes stronger, but I didn’t know it could change a human.”

“Are you staying long?”

She shakes her head. “No, no. Just for a couple hours, then your boys will bring me back.” She snorts. “A triad came to my work, told me I was needed at theRoyal Palacefor anaddresswith the Generals. I told him to stuff it. He insisted. They told me you asked about me and brought me down—they escorted me themselves, even though they’re busy, there was a line of people a mile long out the door of their throne room.”

Throne room.

So that’s what they’re doing out there. Good. I’m glad they aren’t fighting rebels. I don’t think I’d know, just from their auras, if they were at war or attending matters of state. They’re so cold and focused.

“I’m glad you came.”

“Well, marched down here by the three rulers of this planet who happen to have Orb-Blades, but yeah.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay. Are you hungry?”

She shrugs. “I could eat.”

“Come on.”

“Something smells good,” says Kat, as we walk into the mess hall. Nash has already lifted a big stone bowl of braised rib with root vegetables that she was cooking all day, popping out from checkers and games to check on it periodically.

“If you want anything else, I can get it for you,” smiles Nash.

“Thanks, but this’ll be plenty,” says Kat, sitting down at the long table made for an Aurelian, her feet dangling off the ground. She rolls her eyes at the size of the bench, takes a spoonful of the fall-off-the-bone tender meat, and smiles in approval at the taste. “Damn good!”

Nash stands with her hands behind her back, ready to get me another bowl if I ask.

“Thank you, you’re dismissed,” I say to Nash, and she bows her head gracefully and leaves without a word.

“Well look at you. Already bossing people around like a real lady.” Kat slurps down the broth.

I sigh. “I’m no good at it. I’ve gotten it to the point they’ll actalmostnormally when it’s just the three of us, but whenever there’s visitors, they insist on being all servanty.”

“Servanty, is that a word?”

“It’s the only way to describe it. I’ve got another servant, a really nice girl about Lola’s age, who does the best massages.” I smile. “I guess I’m spoilt.”

“It’s tough at the top,” says Kat, digging in. “Damn, this is good. Better than any slop Paulus served us, that’s for sure.”

I sit across from her. She’s the first news I have from the outside world. “So, you said you were working? Did you get a job?”

“Yes indeed. No way I was going to offer myself at the auction tonight, as if the Aurelians would like tough meat like me. Course, plenty of women did. The Aurelians had to turn back some, last I heard. No, I’m managing a factory working on repairing ships that had minor problems with them and couldn’t get airborne during the exodus. No offense, Rachel, but I’ll take filthy jeans to a pleasure dress any day.”

I appreciate her bluntness, even if it stings a little, but I still look away, embarrassed to be wearing the thin green dress. I thought I’d gotten used to it, but being practically naked in front of Kat feels different. Even worse is the silver collar around my neck. I checked for a way to open it, but the circle was seamless.

I wonder if it’ll ever come off.

Kat senses my discomfort, clearing her throat. “Those three. They’re harsh rulers, but fair. The attack that happened. They killed most of the rebels, but four surrendered. I thought for sure he’d take the heads off all of them, but he left one alive, some kid, fifteen, sixteen at most. They’re tyrants, yes, but there’s some shred of good to them. Maybe because of you.”

That makes me swallow, hard. They executed men? Their auras barely changed. How can they kill so easily?

They left a boy alive. No matter how inhumane they seem, focus on that.

“Did you get news of what happened?”

“Yeah. Some people don’t want to live under Fanatic rule. Sick thing is, rumor has it—and this is just a rumor—that they’re working for the Aurelian Empire. So they’re fine with being lorded over by a bunch of giant aliens, just not the ones with brands on their chests. It’s bullshit.”

I soak up the info. Each time she takes a bite of her meal, I have to suppress impatience, willing her to speak.