Nyx’s back straightened. Ariadne knew she still struggled with the remnants of the Oracle’s programming—the constant refrain that when your superior spoke, you came to attention. Nyx might not be under the Oracle’s control anymore, but those old commands were still a part of her memories.

“Yep,” Nyx said. “Along with two dozen other royal soldiers. And before you ask whether the Archon knew, he’s been busy evaluating the damage on Charon, so my best guess is no.”

Clo looked doubtful. “If Damocles were planning something behind his father’s back, wouldn’t the Oracle alert the Archon?”

“Oh.” Ariadne breathed it softly, but everyone still turned to her. She ignored them for a moment, thinking back on her commands from the Oracle in recent months. Every. Single. One. “In the Temple,” she finally said, “the Oracle and I have processed requests directly from General Damocles for a while.” She looked at the others helplessly. “I’m sorry; I was so distracted planning our escape without the Oracle’s knowledge—which was not easy, I might add—that I didn’t even notice right away that Damocles had taken over the Oracle’s commands. I just . . .”

She bit her lip. It had been so hard. Rhea had no programming and Nyx had mostly broken through hers, but they’d had to slip through microscopic cracks in surveillance. Ariadne had to send bogus commands and hope—hopeprayhope—the Oracle didn’t notice.

Obsolete. Forgetful. Inattentive.

One would have punished her over such a stupid mistake.

“Damocles has taken over the Oracle’s commands from the Archon?” Kyla asked, gaze sharp. “How much?”

“Perhaps ten percent. Maybe more. I should have . . .” She trailed off.

“You were barely sleeping,” Rhea said, clearly rattled, though her voice stayed gentle.

Didn’t matter. It was a detail Ariadne should have caught.

Kyla was all business again. “Then we need to know more about this cargo so I have a solid answer on what it’ll be used for. If Damocles is planning a coup, I want intel. Eris, there’s an engineer on Macella who can be manipulated to give us more information on the shipment with the right push. We’ve used him before.”

“Used?” Eris scowled. “Like sex used?”

Kyla pressed her lips together. “That’s one way. He’s also responded to patriotism, threats, and bribery. Choose a button and push it. It’s your choice.”

“Hmm.” Eris considered her options.

“It won’t be easy,” Kyla continued. “We need to infiltrate the royal palace, find out whatever this rock is—”

“Josephine,” Ariadne corrected helpfully. “She might be used to create a high-density blast or a pretty armor material.”

Kyla pressed her lips together. “Fine. Assume that. We need to know what plot it’s connected to. Gods help us if it’s a fucking coup, because Damocles isn’t exactly known for showing mercy.”