“As far as I knew, there wasn’t!” Ari could hear the fear in Rhea’s voice. That was an emotion Ariadne knew well.

“I’ve been watching you both for a month,” Ariadne tried again. “In a totally non-creepy way, I promise. Well, I mean, mostly I just—”

“Get to the point,” Nyx said through her teeth, “or I crush that bird under my boot.”

This was not going as well as she’d hoped. “Look,” she said, “if I was going to turn you in, I would have done it already. I want to help.”

The women both paused. Nyx clearly still wanted to take the mechanical bird and dash it to the floor. Ariadne didn’t blame her.

“Please,” Ariadne tried again, sure she was messing this up. “Please listen to me. You’re going to die if you keep on your current trajectory.”

Nyx’s hand inched toward her side. “Fine,” the soldier said, her voice grim. “Talk.”

Ariadne whooped, startling them. “Sorry,” she said. “I’m new at this.”

“Speaking through mechanical birds?” Rhea asked, voice mild.

“Speaking to people in general. As myself, I mean.”

That took them aback. “The point,” Nyx reminded her.

Ariadne stumbled over her words. “I’m Ariadne. My friends would call me Ari, if I had any friends. I always liked the thought of a nickname. I’m the Oracle’s Engineer.” Nyx’s fingers clenched. “I’ve been raised by One,” Ariadne added. “In the Temple.”

“No one lives in the Temple,” Rhea said, a tiny frown line between her brows. “It’s forbidden.”

Rhea was in full courtesan regalia, her eyes painted a shimmering purple, her lips wet with gloss. At the end of the meetings, Rhea would muss her hair, wipe off the gloss. Nyx once ripped the shoulder seam of Rhea’s dress to add a little extra authenticity to people’s perception of them as lovers. They’d laughed as they did it, almost like children. Ariadne had watched them bond, the trust growing between them.

She envied it.

“I’m the only one,” Ariadne said quietly.

“Alone?” Rhea breathed.

“Yes.” Ariadne pressed a hand to her chest to soothe the ache there. She was so tired of being alone. “Like One’s previous Engineers, I was created by One’s design, and will work in the Temple until I die. I’m One’s fourth child. I’ve been with the Oracle since I was old enough to leave the Birthing Center.”

Rhea and Nyx looked at each other in surprise. It was Rhea who spoke first, her voice soft. “What does the Oracle use you for?”