Mayor Elland leans toward me. I remember the first time I’d ever seen this woman, her warm, lively eyes greeting me, the straight confidence of her shoulders. She gives me a small smile. “You are a force to be reckoned with, Talin, and we could certainly use your strength. I won’t be ruling the Federation, but perhaps you would be open to working alongside me and other like-minded nobles, guiding an intimate circle who will help chart this Federation’s course.”

The potential in her words lingers with me, sparking in my heart. Never in my life have I been invited to create this kind of change.

I could transform every law in this entire Federation. We could punish every war criminal, order the execution of all who fought for Constantine and carried out his orders. I could root out every last person—soldier, civilian, worker—who tormented Karensa’s conquered territories, finally unleash all the anguish pent up in me against those who deserve it.

I could become what Constantine had striven for.

I’m quiet for a while. Outside, I can hear the occasional chant breaking out in the streets even as soldiers bustle back and forth.

Finally, I sign, “Then let me speak before your circle.”

The mayor smiles a little. She looks uncertain that I’ve accepted her invitation, but she doesn’t question it. She doesn’t cower away from me in fear of my Skyhunter strengths. She just bows her head once.

“I’ll gather the others,” she says.

My mother looks at me without a word. Even though I’ve given no response, she can already see the answer in my eyes.

Later that evening, I leave my bed for the first time in weeks. Everything in me aches—my back still feels tender from the damage that Constantine’s Skyhunters had inflicted, and my dozens of other, smaller wounds still smart, pulling and stretching me in the wrong ways as I join a small council seated in the atrium of the late Premier’s palace.

It’s surreal to be back here. I’d seen blood smeared across these marble tiles, had been forced to serve Constantine and kill while the light streamed down through the magnificent glass ceiling above.

Now it is a serene space lit by a spring sun, and I stand in the middle of a half circle of Karensan nobles. Funny, isn’t it, how different the same place can look.

I recognize some of them. There’s Mayor Elland, of course. Red and my mother have also been given the courtesy of seats in this half circle, along with Adena, Aramin, and Jeran. They are here with several of Constantine’s former advisors that the mayor must have deemed worthy of being here. There are a couple of her rebel allies.

What a strange mix we all are.

Now, as the mayor greets me with a formal nod, Red rises from his seat to stand next to me. His hand brushes against mine, and my fingers reach to touch his, searching for his strength.

“Welcome, Steelstriker,” Mayor Elland says. “We are ready to listen to what you have to tell us.”