At that last statement, she sent through the Pathos: <Clo and Ari, back to the plan. Get the badge. And be careful. Nyx, stay close in case I need you.>

Damocles led Eris to one of the refreshment tables in a sparsely populated section of the ballroom. What few people were there drifted off, sensing the general’s desire to converse uninterrupted.

“My weapons expert implied you were colleagues,” he said, all smoothness. “I’ve heard your name but not the specifics of your work.” Eris understood when she was being tested. Damocles would never admit to knowing what the real Zoe had done for the Battle of the Garnet. No, he wanted to get a sense of her first.

“We’re colleagues of a sort.” Eris sipped her wine as if she didn’t mind the severity of his stare. “Though I’m semi-retired these days, my role is less public. I am in the business of designing and manufacturing certain items for individuals with need and a great deal of funds.”

Nyx swore through the Pathos. <I’ve seen him execute merchants for selling to the wrong individuals. I hope you know what you’re doing.>

<Yeah, ’cause if you don’t, we’re all dead,> Clo chimed in.

<I appreciate the vote of confidence,> Eris replied.

The prince’s expression didn’t change; it remained as cold and impassive as ever. “And yet you knew the name of a project that Maximus most assuredly didn’t tell you about.” A step closer. “So, who did?”

<Get out of there,> Nyx insisted.

<He’s testing me,> Eris pushed back. <Let me do my job.>

Eris knew two things: Damocles often disagreed with their father, and he hated the Evoli. Rhea said he wasn’t pleased about the truce. If anyone knew how the rocks were intended to be used and where they came from, Damocles did. She’d bet her life on it. Right now, he was measuring her, noting her loyalties.

Eris kept her smile. “Looking to kill someone, General?”

“Yes.” His expression was cold. “I can’t abide disloyalty.”

“We’re in agreement.” Eris laughed low in her throat. “Fortunately for you, the person who told me is already dead. Felix Iasion-17.” One of the burned Novan spies. It was risky to give the name of a dead spy, considering how he met his end, but Eris couldn’t put anyone else at risk. Felix had been one of the lesser members of Maximus’s cohort. Someone who should have been forgettable. “He was hoping to prove himself. I found the project . . . fascinating. I only wish Maximus had trusted me with the problem himself. I could have solved it for you months ago. It was interesting enough to come out of my partial retirement.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “Turns out spending vast amounts of money becomes remarkably monotonous after a while. Who’d have thought?”