Six in. Three out. Three in. Six out. Four in. Eight out. Eight in. Four out. Six in.

I counted as I walked. Each footstep a beat of breath. I was going to survive this. I had no other choice. I didn’t know much about my father or the Aunare, but I knew the di Aetes line never gave up. That was something my mom had whispered to me over and over, especially on nights that had been particularly hard and scary. It had gotten me through then, and it would get me through today.

Finally, we reached a door. Officer Hill placed her hand on the sensor. It beeped twice, and then the click of the lock sounded. My chest tightened as the door opened, revealing the courtroom. It was small. Four rows of benches sat behind two desks. One for the prosecution. One for the defense—for me.

Officer Hill was in front of me again and moved behind me, releasing me from my cuffs, and motioned to the chair. “Sit there.” She gave me one last stare down before turning and leaving the same way we’d come.

Declan sat behind the prosecution desk in his navy and silver SpaceTech IAF dress uniform. He watched me as I walked toward him. Studying me.

I didn’t squirm and met his gaze straight on. I wanted to use his presence to give me confidence, but seeing him in his uniform and sitting behind the prosecution desk made me nervous. I would’ve felt much better if he was on the other side of the courtroom, but I knew it was all about appearance for him. If he’d had a choice, he’d be wearing something else and sitting behind me.

I sat next to Jim, who was typing away, his fingers furiously flicking through the air in front of him.

I studied the desk to keep my panic down. The wax coating on the wood was thick and sticky. Years of doodles had been scratched into its surface. The ceiling of the courtroom was painted midnight blue with golden stars. I spotted constellations and wondered why they’d gone to so much trouble. It seemed too pretty for a room like this.

A man with slicked-back hair walked into the courtroom. He’d gone way overboard on product, turning his hair into a glossy helmet. The fabric of his suit shimmered as he moved and I knew it had to be expensive.

I didn’t trust shiny men. The shinier their medals, their suits, their shoes, the dirtier they were inside. I guessed that’s what was throwing me off about Declan’s uniform. Too many shiny medals.

Loud knocking from the front of the room startled me. I tried to calm myself, but it was impossible. Only concentrating on my breathing was keeping the glow at bay.