“You don’t know? Isn’t it obvious by now?” Klaren asked, holding out her hands. They, too, had scars across the palms. Burn scars that reminded Andi of the ones held together beneath her cuffs. “You are the General of Arcardius, Androma. Before his death, Cyprian chose you.”

Andi almost laughed. This was a joke—all of it some sick, ridiculous joke.

But the look in Klaren’s eyes wasn’t teasing. And Dex...

“Andi,” he whispered, turning to face her, his voice pleading. “Andi, you have to understand. I didn’t want to tell you before, when you were still recovering... There was never really a good time to bring it up—”

“You knew?” Andi blurted out, betrayal coursing through her. “But how—”

Footsteps sounded out from the tunnel, racing toward them as Soyina ran into the cavernous room. “Apologies, Arachnid,” she said, panting from the exertion. “I have news of the attack on Arcardius. Everything went according to plan—our message was sent to Nor, loud and clear. The Academy grounds are now a pile of rubble.”

Andi whirled to face Klaren, so many thoughts racing in her mind at once, her heart threatening to leap from her chest. “You attacked Veronus? But there are innocent people there! Thousands of them, trapped beneath Nor’s control!”

“Sometimes we must sacrifice the few to save the many,” Klaren said.

“Like hell we do!” Dex shouted. “Andi makes those choices now. Arcardius is her planet, and if you want us to work with you—”

“You don’t speak for me!” Andi snarled at him. “And it isn’t my damned planet. I want nothing to do with Cyprian’s twisted legacy. Nothing.”

Soyina chuckled from the shadows. “I take it our general isn’t pleased about her new title?”

Andi’s vision turned red as she glared at all three of them. “You all knew. Everyone knew, this entire time.”

“Andi...” Dex started.

“Enough!” she hissed. She looked at Klaren next, pointing with a steady finger. “I may not have asked for this, but as long as I’m in charge, you will not attack that planet, or any other planet in Mirabel, without my consent if you wish to have me join you.”

To Soyina, Andi said, “And you...”

The woman blinked slowly back at her, a smile on her lips.

“You will give me back my Godstars-damned swords, so I can run you through with both of them.”

“There she is,” Soyina cooed. “The Bloody Baroness, turned General of Arcardius. I take it you’re ready to play games now, Androma Racella? We are very pleased to have you on our side.”

“I’m not on anyone’s side,” Andi snapped, her hands curled into fists. She turned back to Dex, making him swallow nervously. “You have some explaining to do, Dextro Arez. And you will explain it all over a drink, or else I’ll use my swords on you, too.”