“Killed him. Your sister did do it. Her hand held the knife that went right into his heart.” He pauses, just for a moment, reveling. “She did it for you.”

I hear a ringing in my ears.

“She realized that if she was found out, then I’d come after you to get her to do what I want. I’m still not entirely sure what happened that night at Zenith. She did something to Vuk before she killed him. His mind went haywire, broke through the Verve programming, which I didn’t think was possible.”

I can’t breathe. I don’t want to believe him, but why lie now, when he’s about to kill me?

“What’s your link to the Hearth?” I ask again. I want—I need—to know.

He only shakes his head.

I want to snarl at him, but I won’t give him the satisfaction. “What are you planning to do?” My voice is even, cool. I’m proud of that.

“To you?” He picks up a syringe of Verve. “I’m going to plug you in, but I’ve programmed this Vervescape a little differently. It’s extra potent, and not a mix you’d find in any lounge.” I swallow. He’s the man who invented both Zeal and Verve. He can do almost anything he wants, for he knows the code and the pharmacology better than anyone alive.

He considers the syringe. “Who else but me could reprogram personalities and brain chemistries? Who else could take timid, shy Adam and turn him into Adam, a killer on command?

“I’ve programmed this particular world here so that instead of you enacting the violence, the violence is enacted against you. Your own personal little hell. It’s how I execute those who really disappoint me. And, Taema, for all your cleverness, you’ve disappointed me.” He gestures to his right and I see a third empty Chair. “I’ll be joining you.”

He’s going to torture me. I think of Mia and her scalpel. False Mana-ma’s soundless, tongueless, painful scream. It’s as if I’m made of stone. I want to scream, cry, piss myself, laugh hysterically, but I can’t do a thing.

I turn my head. Nazarin’s awake, his open eyes locked on me. I can’t contact Nazarin through my implants because of the blocked signal. I try my restraints, but they’re stuck fast.

Ensi reaches down and pushes up the sleeve of my Kalar suit, revealing the bare skin. He runs his finger down the exposed flesh. I shiver.