Eris put up a hand before anyone could say anything else. “As much as I’d like to discuss the rock, we ought to put more distance between us and Myndalia first. Clo, can you prep the ship?”

“Fine.” Clo held the rock out to Eris. “Here, take this stupid thing.”

Ariadne slid between them. “Can I have it?” she asked brightly. “I love rocks. I’ll take good care of it.”

Clo pressed her lips together and gave Eris another meaningful look.

Eris muttered something that sounded like reluctant assent. Clo wrapped the rock again and passed it over to Ariadne. As she did, her arm brushed the courtesan’s. Clo inhaled and pulled away as though the small touch burned, and Rhea’s mouth curled into a smile.

Well, flames of Avern, Nyx thought. Looks like someone wasn’t immune to Rhea’s charms.

Ariadne stuffed the glove-covered rock in her pocket. “It won’t be easy to start the ship up again.”

Clo seemed flustered. “I’ll go down and double-check the engines are okay after the electromag blasts. I take it you can sort the computers?”

The girl wiggled her fingers. “My specialty.”

“I’ll deal with the bodies,” Nyx said, voice steady.

She knew none of the others would be able to. They’d avoided speaking about what had just happened. Rhea had small splatters of blood on the back of her skirt. She hadn’t noticed yet, but she would when she undressed—and it would hurt her to see. Rhea wore her heart on her sleeve. So did Ariadne. It was Nyx who knew to tuck hers away, somewhere dark and quiet and deep inside.

Eris stepped forward. “I’ll help, if you need. I’m not squeamish.”

“No,” Nyx mused. “I don’t expect you are.”

“Are you taking us to Nova?” Ariadne sounded so hopeful, Nyx almost winced.

Clo and Eris exchanged glances before the smaller woman answered. “I haven’t decided. Make sure we’re safe, and then we’ll talk.”

Nyx didn’t ask what would happen if Eris decided she didn’t like their talk. If she refused them safe passage . . . well, Nyx still had her weapon, and she wouldn’t hesitate to use it.

Even if they reached the Novantae, the resistance might not be as brilliant as Ariadne had always hoped they’d be. The girl spoke about rebels like they were the last bastion of humanity and light in this dark, twisted universe. Nyx didn’t have the heart to tell her that the resistance was likely as messed-up as the Empire. They’d have their own motivations. If that didn’t suit her? Nyx would find some way to escape from them, too. She was done with her life being decided for her.

She’d be damned if she’d let someone else get inside her head or make her into their weapon again.