‘Doubts?’ Voyle looked up sharply, evidently surprised. ‘No, no doubts… I want to see the Imperium burn, Seeker.’

‘That may not serve the Greater Good. Our mission here in the Damocles Gulf is peaceful. We may yet find common cause with the people of your Imperium.’

‘It’s not my Imperium, Seeker,’ Voyle said, his expression hardening. ‘It never was.’

There it is, Kyuhai saw, the potential for terrible light and darkness.

‘That is why awakened minds like yours must strive to reclaim it for the Greater Good,’ he said.

Voyle didn’t answer, but the denial in his eyes was apparent.

He is correct, Kyuhai reflected. His species yearns for strife. There will be no accord with their Imperium. And yet we must attempt it, even if it only delays the inevitable. This is an inopportune time for war. When it comes it must be of our choosing, not the enemy’s.

A melodious sequence of chimes reverberated through the bay, announcing the dawn cycle.

‘We will talk again, Gue’vesa’ui Voyle,’ Kyuhai said, studying the man’s face. ‘Think upon my words.’

As the Seeker turned and strode towards the door he felt the man’s shadow-wracked eyes following him.

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A Black Library Publication

A Black Library Publication

First published in Great Britain in 2019.
This eBook edition published in 2019 by Black Library, Games Workshop Ltd, Willow Road, Nottingham, NG7 2WS, UK.

Produced by Games Workshop in Nottingham.
Cover illustration by Maria Zolotukhina.

Rites of Passage © Copyright Games Workshop Limited 2019. Rites of Passage, GW, Games Workshop, Black Library, The Horus Heresy, The Horus Heresy Eye logo, Space Marine, 40K, Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000, the ‘Aquila’ Double-headed Eagle logo, and all associated logos, illustrations, images, names, creatures, races, vehicles, locations, weapons, characters, and the distinctive likenesses thereof, are either ® or TM, and/or © Games Workshop Limited, variably registered around the world.
All Rights Reserved.

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN: 978-1-78999-456-8

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This novel is for all my friends who let me use bastardised versions of their names for my secondary characters.

I’m sorry so many of you die.