Aramin nods at that. “We saw the number of patrols still stationed around the palace. Too many for there to be no one to protect.”

“We still have many supporters in the city,” a rebel tells us in a low voice. “Many who are alive and strong enough to fight. They’re all out there in the streets. What can we do to help them?”

“Arm them,” the mayor replies. “Send out equipment, weapons and food, medicine and bandages.”

“There are too many of Constantine’s loyalists still in the city,” another rebel says. “What happens if they come targeting these gates? They’ll find out soon that you’re harboring us all here.”

In the momentary silence after, Talin’s mother speaks up in Maran. “Well then. It means we have to root the Premier out before he can do the same to us. Isn’t that right?”

Jeran interprets her words to the rest of us, his voice ringing out clear in the air.

The mayor nods, smiling at the woman’s words before addressing the rest of us. “You heard her. We do what we can control. We will get to Constantine. There is no alternative.”

“You once said you pitied the Premier,” Talin suddenly signs. “Do you still feel that?”

As the mayor listens to Jeran repeat the question in Karenese, everyone quiets. The mayor stares listlessly into space, thinking her answer carefully through. Then she looks back at Talin. “The boy I once pitied is no more,” she says. “We are going to end his regime.” Her lips tighten. “And end him.”

If Constantine dies, the Federation goes with him. There is no one else now. No Caitoman, no heir. Without Constantine, the Federation’s standing on the Tyrus name will end.

“I will get to him,” Talin signs.

Jeran looks sharply at her, then translates her words for all to hear. Talin doesn’t flinch from the attention around her.

“It has always been my fate to face him in the end,” she adds.

“I will go with you,” I say aloud. Talin stares at me, searching my gaze, but I just nod and repeat it. “I will go with you, and we’ll make sure to end this once and for all.”

“Rest first,” Mayor Elland says, and we all quiet, as if she has just reminded us how tired we all are. “The palace is too thick with soldiers right now, and you’ll do no one any good if you’re exhausted. We’ll make our decisions later.”

36

TALIN

We gradually disperse after the mayor’s servants bring us dinner on the courtyard terrace. As evening falls, I rise and pick my way back through the clusters of rebels. The mayor is speaking quietly with several of those leading the other rebels. Her voice remains steady, but I can see how this has all taken a toll on her. She had been the one who’d grieved her servants in the palace atrium, the three lives I’d taken in order to satisfy Constantine. At the memory, I feel the shame and trauma heavy in my own heart. My hands still feel stained with blood. How must she feel? How many friends had she lost in the arena’s massacre? All those lives, sacrificed likely because of Raina and Caitoman’s betrayal.