They would have adored this place.

Andi felt, already, that she adored it, too. The cavern smelled like damp earth, human sweat, meat roasting on fires...but that was life. That was freedom. She smiled for the first time in what felt like years. If only the girls were here—then she’d smile even broader.

“The looks on your faces,” Soyina said, giggling as she glanced over her shoulder. “It’s a lot to take in, but by the Godstars, it’s glorious.” She pointed at something just ahead. “Careful, Baroness. Wouldn’t want you to step in that.”

She stepped over a crack in the ground, where some sort of pale yellow liquid was bubbling in a stream that fishtailed throughout the place. “Perfectly safe to drink, though it may make you forget your own name.”

“How many of you are here?” Dex asked. “Are there other Underground camps across Mirabel?”

“Not enough,” Soyina said, causing Dex to frown. “But though we may be only a few hundred, we’re mighty. We’ve made contact with another group on Arcardius, and a couple on Tenebris and Pazus. And we’re certain others are out there, hiding. Now that Arachnid’s messages are getting through, we expect others to rise and show themselves. If you hadn’t been lost in your shiny spaceship this whole time, you’d probably have joined us weeks ago. Worked your way up the ranks. Now you’ll have to start as grunts. Ground soldiers. Well...you would have, if it weren’t for the Baroness, here.”

“Me?” Andi asked in disbelief.

“You,” Soyina said with a grin.

Andi sent her a suspicious glance. “What do you want with me?”

“I don’t have any opinion on the matter. But Arachnid...oh, the boss can’t wait to speak with you.” Soyina glanced away, pressing her lips together. “I’ve said too much already. Let’s keep moving.”

They walked until they reached the other side of the cavern, where a series of tunnels had been sculpted into the blue rock. A group of children hurried into one in the center, carrying baskets full of what looked like soiled blankets and rags.

“Bathhouse is that way,” Soyina said, glancing at Dex again, her eyes full of suggestion. Andi’s insides boiled a little at that look, but she wouldn’t give Soyina the satisfaction of knowing how she really felt.

The woman waggled a finger at Dex, the tattoos on it swirling in erratic patterns. “The things we could do in there, you and I.” Then she smiled sideways at Andi. “Hell, I’d take the Baroness, too, if it weren’t for the stick she’s got stuck up her—”

“We’ll pass,” Andi said, taking Dex by the arm and hauling him toward her. He looked at her in surprise for a moment, then smiled warmly. Andi blushed, annoyed that she’d allowed Soyina to get under her skin.