“You were right about the smugglers’ code,” she continued. “It wasn’t some group trying to cheat Scover out of money. It’s just proof that Byne Guild people use the Amaxine station. They almost have to. She offers bonuses and benefits if they’ll take the risks, including knocking a few years off their indentures. I’m pretty sure that’s the reason why my parents”—Affie gulped back a sob—“why they took the Kestrel’s Dive to that station. And why they died there.”

“That’s where they died?”

“I found it in her records,” she said dully. “Marked confidential. Just a few hours ago. Apparently some traders try tapping into the helix rings to boost their engines.” When done correctly, that maneuver could send a ship on a journey using only one-tenth the usual fuel. That would seriously amp up profit margins. But done incorrectly—and it was a hard thing to do right—it could blow a ship to smithereens. From the look on Affie’s face, her parents must have made that mistake.

“Oh, man.” Leox shook his head. “I’m so sorry you had to find out like that. Sorry you had to find out at all.”

“No,” she said fiercely. “Not that. I hate the knowledge, but—I’m glad I know.”

“You just have to get used to carrying that weight.”

She nodded. He clinked his own water bottle against hers, and for a while there was nothing to do but take it in.

The breaking of deep trance felt to Orla like surfacing from black waters, breath and light pouring over her. Although her eyes had been open, she had not been seeing her surroundings—or really anything—only connecting herself more profoundly to the other Jedi in the circle.

They all exchanged glances as they turned toward each other, their movements in perfect sync. Orla still retained control of her own mind and body—they had not pooled consciousnesses completely—but they had reached a state of harmony that allowed them to mirror not only motions but also thought and intent. This would give them the best possible chance of combating whatever evil was about to be set free.

As one, they raised their hands, perceived anew the warm intensity of the Force containment—and extinguished it.

The Shrine in the Depths did not fall dark, but everything suddenly seemed dimmer—no, she realized, just cooler. Even if the “warmth” of the containment had been an illusion, illusions had their own strength.

What she didn’t understand was that the chamber now seemed to be…empty. Nothing more. The only emanations of the Force came from her fellow Jedi.

“Did it dissipate into the vergeance already?” Orla asked. Confusion was weakening their shared bond. “Or is it still present? Lying in wait?”

“Nothing’s here.” Giktoo’s eyes widened as she took this in. “Nothing is trapped here. Nothing ever was.”