As I reach the cargo bay, my heart nearly stops. Corvus sits on top of a crate. A knife rests in one of his hands, its blade the sleek, glossy black of Primus material. The crates are gutted, and the floor is strewn with the scrap metal and other junk that filled them. They’ve been exposed for the diversions they are, and I’m sure Corvus has figured out that our only real cargo is the vial I’ve had this whole time.

For several long moments, we only stare at each other. Then I clear my throat and take another step forward.

“I really didn’t think you’d do it.” I didn’t realize he had a Primus blade—those can cut through almost anything—but more than that, I didn’t think he’d distrust me so much, especially not after our conversation last night. I could try to talk my way out of this, stack further lies on top of the ones I’ve already told, but the look on Corvus’s face tells me it isn’t going to work this time. There’s something defeated in his expression. It scares me.

“Funny. I was about to say the same.” Corvus’s voice is completely flat. He stands up, the knife still in his hand. “I guess we don’t know each other as well as we thought.”

I swallow hard. It’s true. Because right now, I have no idea what Corvus is going to do next. I find myself keeping an eye on his knife, and wishing I carried a weapon myself.

“How the hell did it come to this?” he asks, his voice strained, his words mirroring my own thoughts.

“I’m doing what I have to do.”

“Including lying to us all?”

“Absolutely.” The word is barely a breath. “You think telling the truth would have made it better? This way, the burden is mine alone.” I tap my hand to my heart. His gaze hardens, and I realize too late how close the gesture is to his home-planet’s salute. “None of you needed to know until… until it was done. I was trying to protect you. You’ve all been through enough.”

“No. You lied for the same reason you always do: because it’s the easy way out.”

“None of this is easy!” My voice rises to a shrill peak. “Least of all for me! But I guess everything looks different from your stars-damned moral high ground, huh?”