The two women made their way over to his table. “Slow down, Dextro. You’re going to wind up cramping or throwing it all up,” Andi said as she sat down on the bench across from him. Soyina took a seat to her right, plopping a sack on the table before her.

Dex only gave her a wink in response. Andi rolled her eyes.

Soyina pushed the sack toward them. “Clothes and toiletries for you lot.”

Andi thanked her, putting the bag on the ground by her feet. She couldn’t wait to strip off her suit, take a shower and get dressed in fresh clothes. But first, food.

The moment the warm potatoes touched her tongue, she understood why Dex was shoveling the food down so fast. It was exquisitely prepared. The potatoes were perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, almost melting in her mouth. She stifled a moan as she chewed and dug in with enthusiasm.

“Klaren wants to speak with you two after you eat,” Soyina said after a few minutes of their contented silence.

“Mhmm,” Andi mumbled, mouth full of juicy meat. She’d expected as much.

“What about?” Dex asked, pushing his empty plate away and eyeing the buffet table, as if considering a second trip.

Soyina shrugged. “She didn’t tell me much, but I believe she wants to discuss how you can be of use to the Underground.”

Andi swallowed. “If the Underground wants to take advantage of our skills—and my new title—then it will have to be an equal trade.”

Dex nodded. “We may be fighting the same enemy, but we have to rescue our crew first.”

Hearing that our and knowing he was just as determined to save Lira, Gilly and Breck made Andi’s heart warm. She met his eyes and mouthed, “Thank you.” He smiled in return.

Soyina nodded, plucking a potato from Andi’s plate.

She ignored Andi’s glare. “I understand that you want to save them—we all want to save someone. Or kill someone, depending on who you ask. Am I right, Baroness?”

Andi didn’t answer, so Soyina winked and continued. “But in order to save them, we need to pave a path. If you help us pave that path, I can’t make any promises, but I bet Klaren would be more than happy to help our dear general.”

Andi ate her last forkful of food, pushing her empty plate toward Soyina. “Then let’s not keep her waiting.”

CHAPTER 23

NOR

Time felt frozen as Nor sat by the fireplace in her quarters, staring into the flames.

Days ago, she’d done this very same thing, the weight of too many worlds pressing down upon her shoulders. The fire had failed to warm her then, but at least Zahn had been there to do so.