Alexei shrugged as if dismissing the murder plot against his entire family. “My father was a horrible man. Many people wanted him dead. Besides, you didn’t go through with it.”

“No, but Caleb did. He suspected I’d fail him, so he had a backup in place. And he pinned it on me.”

“My father died in that explosion,” Alexei continued. “No great loss.” The tendons on his neck stood out. “But so did my mother. Vitaly, my brother. And for them, I needed revenge. Unfortunately, by that point . . . Mia did too.”

“Alexei’s father and uncle founded Obsidian almost a decade ago,” Mia broke in quickly. She obviously didn’t want to discuss the vengeance they’d taken, or what had happened to her sister. She didn’t need to. I remembered Alexei’s words on Sanctuary: Mia had a little sister. “They made it the interstellar hub for black-market deals and organized crime. Kenzie, you asked why Omnistellar allowed somewhere like Obsidian to continue. The short answer is, it suits their needs. If there’s something they don’t want to get their hands dirty with, Alexei’s uncle takes care of it. In exchange, they leave him Obsidian.”

Jasper let out a slow whistle. “And that’s where we’re going? A hub for organized crime run by Alexei’s uncle?”

Alexei nodded. “An uncle who may try to throw me out an airlock, yes. The Danshovs blame Mia for the attack. They believe the official line. And they think I am izmennik—a traitor. That I chose the girl who murdered my family over them.”

“Fantastic.” I turned to Cage. “Any bright ideas?”

“Hijack the ship?”

But even if he’d been serious, Rune was already shaking her head. “There’s no way we get anywhere but Mars without refueling, and even if we did, somehow I don’t think we’d be welcomed at any station with a stolen ship and warrants for our arrests. We’re going to have to dock on Obsidian. Alexei, can you reason with your uncle?”

Alexei snorted eloquently.

By now we’d reached the doors to the cargo bay. Alexei hesitated. “I hate to even suggest it, Mia mine, but . . . maybe you should stay on the ship.”

She shrugged. “I will if you want me to,” she said, uncharacteristically agreeable. “If you think you can trust Liam not to tattle. And if you think your uncle doesn’t already know I’m here. And if you think Obsidian doesn’t have the technology to scan the ship and notice someone left behind, and if you’re sure they’re not going to kill the life support while refueling or doing maintenance or—”

“All right.” Alexei scowled. “I get the point.”

As we reached the door, Imani suddenly stepped in front of Mia. The girls’ eyes met, and Imani seemed to falter. “Mia,” she said softly, wringing her hands as if trying to break her own fingers.