She couldn’t agree more. “What about Starska?”

“We need to accept the fact that she might be lost to us. There’s no telling what he’s done to her by now. How much damage she’s taken.”

“We can’t leave her with him.”

“What do you suggest?” Hector asked.

Senna fished her own small drive out of her pocket and slid it toward him. “I have a way to bring him down once and for all, and to get our leader back. Cruel won’t even know what hit him. I promise you, next time, he will die.”

15

Zarya had known that Darling, as Kere, had an extended family where the Sentella was concerned. But honestly, she’d had no idea exactly how massive it was. Not until they walked into the Sentella’s central headquarters and literally everyone they came into contact with took a minute to speak with him and wish him well.

And she meant everyone. From the cleaning staff to the soldiers to the engineers. Everyone they saw seemed to know him, and most shocking of all, he knew them. Darling asked about them, their families and friends, and mentioned details that showed he not only remembered who they were, but that he cared about their lives, too. That all of them meant something to him.

If she’d ever had any doubts about what a great governor he’d be, this alone would have allayed all fears. Standing back to watch him interact with his people, she was stunned by just how generous and kind Darling really was.

In some ways it was hard to rectify the fierce warrior she knew him to be with the man who was able to soothe a little girl’s fears and to greet every worker with a smile and a handshake.

He absolutely amazed her.

“They like him best,” Hauk whispered in her ear as they were stopped yet again so that Darling could talk to one of the engineers. “Notice how they all ignore me like I’m not even here.”

Maris snorted. “It’s because you always threaten to eat them.”

“Well there is that,” Hauk said with a fang-enhanced smile.

She had no idea why, but she really liked the acerbic Andarion.

He leaned over to whisper to her, “Still… Darling’s their favorite.”

Zarya laughed at Hauk’s feigned pout.

In fact, it took them so long to get down the hallway, that Syn ended up bringing a stretcher for Darling.

His tone dry, Syn pulled Darling’s shoulder and urged him toward it. “Get on here. Lie down. And don’t say anything.”

Darling rolled his eyes before he obeyed.

Winking at her, Syn covered him with a sheet. “I don’t know what we’re going to do with Lord Social here.”

“I vote we shoot him,” Hauk said with an evil smirk.

“You know, there’s nothing wrong with my hearing. Right, Hauk?”

Hauk grinned at Darling’s comment. “Yeah. Like I care.”