“Personally, I vote for the option of not being shot in the head.”

Jinx smirked. “Well, Lord Picky, you’re just going to have to settle with whatever options I can come up with.”

Nero cleared his throat. “Remember, we’re family.”

Jinx stared blankly at Nero. “Too soon. Especially given the fact that one half of my family annihilated the other half. I’m only a quarter Tris. The rest of me is bloodthirsty asshole.”

“Noted.”

Hauk shook his head. “What are you holding back on us, Jinx?”

“Pardon?”

“I might not be Tris, but I can read body language. What’s in your head?”

Jinx narrowed his gaze on Mordacity. “You want to elaborate, Nisa?”

She paled at the mention of that name.

“Nisa?” Nero appeared as baffled as Jayne felt.

Mordacity stiffened. “How do you know that name?”

“I’m League. There’s nothing I can’t find out about anyone. Challenge me.”

Mordacity shook her head. “No one should have been able to find my real name.”

“Why is that?” Jinx asked.

“Because it was changed by a League member.”

Jinx clicked his tongue. “And that’s the right answer.”

Nero scowled. “Who?”

Mordacity shook her head. “Can’t tell you. He’ll kill me if I do.”

“Pretty sure he’s already trying to kill you. Why else would we have this elaborate plot to cause your demise?” Jinx cut his gaze to Nero. “And I’m pretty sure the Scaleras already have that name.”

“You can’t tell anyone who I’m thinking of.” She shook her head again. “He would just kill me if he wanted me dead. Why do something so elaborate?”

“Because you’re Tavali.” Jayne stepped forward as she understood. “He kills you and they’re under oath to retaliate.”

Jinx inclined his head to her. “That’s one answer . . . Want to finish the tale?” he asked Mordacity.

Mordacity vigorously shook her head this time. “No. It wouldn’t happen.”

Jinx tsked. “Kyr Zemin has no soul. Why wouldn’t he order your death?”

“I know for a fact that he wouldn’t. Besides, why frame this to take out two people he doesn’t even know? He’d have no interest in Nero or Hadrian. Think bigger.”

“What do you mean?”

“Who’s the one person who could benefit from all our deaths?”

By the look on Jinx’s face, it was obvious that he had no clue.

Neither did Jayne. “Who?”

“We’re all three supposed to be dead. The Scaleras were meant to die when their planet fell. I was supposed to be dead when the Phrixian Naglfari leader took out a hit on me. Who would benefit if the three of us were suddenly gone?”

Jinx let out a sound of supreme disgust. “Huwin Quiakides.”

She nodded. “The fact that I’m still here after that warrant is a slap in his face.”

Nero cursed. “And our territories were used to bribe the League so that he’d be elected Prime Commander.”

Jayne scowled at that. “I thought the only way to be a Prime Commander was to assassinate the current one.”