They were in the bridge once more, Lira in her pilot’s chair, Andi in her captain’s seat and the others scattered across the room.

Dex leaned against the console, twiddling a knife. “I got word from an old Guardian pal that there’s a big ransom for a Fiora Kaii. She’s been snatching up displaced Xen Pterrans and selling them into unpaid servitude.”

Andi had made a name for herself in this galaxy by pirating goods and living outside the law. But maybe it was time to switch sides—not entirely, of course, for she’d given up her General status, handing it over to the one person who terrified her most.

Soyina.

The new general had done well, in the months after the attack. She’d rebuilt the capital city and turned Arcardius back to its military state, while Andi and Dex had helped to appoint leaders across the other planetary systems. Soyina, much to her credit, made a strangely refreshing general, albeit a terrifying one.

And now Andi was free. She knew she was meant for other things, and while the darkness in her was still great, she’d since decided to use it for good.

And if she could make a pretty penny and throw killers and criminals into the deepest pits of Tenebris, then hell. Sign the Marauders up.

Andi quirked a brow. “Ladies, what do you think?”

Breck and Gilly pounded fists. Breck had once rescued Gilly from slavers, so Andi knew they would be more than ready to fight. “We’re in.”

“Me, too,” Lira said with a wicked smile.

Dex shrugged. “Wherever you go, I’ll follow. Captain.”

Andi grinned. “Then let’s go kick some slaver ass.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

SASHA ALSBERG

Whether you have made it to the acknowledgments from reading Nexus, or are just flipping to the end: Hi! Thanks for being here! Wow, what an adventure this has been.

Lindsay, you are first, because... DUH! You and I have been on this crazy journey together for over three years, and although this chapter is coming to an end, I’m excited for the future—which probably consists of horses and rainbows.

To my boss queen agents, Joanna Volpe and Devin Ross. I cannot put into words how thankful I am to have you both by my side.

Thank you to the entire New Leaf team—Kathleen Ortiz, Mia Roman, Pouya Shahbazian, Hilary Pecheone and Abigail Donoghue—and to Peter Knapp and Park & Fine Literary and Media.

To Lauren Smulski—thank you for believing in us, these ragtag characters and this galactic world. Also to the fabulous team over at Inkyard Press and Harlequin Canada, as well as Sarah Goodey, Lucy Richardson and the whole team at HarperCollins UK. Forever grateful.