The communication tower was no taller than the surrounding buildings, but the roof was covered in broad radio dishes that allowed them to send and receive signals over much larger distances than the receivers on individual ships.

It was strange to be inside the room that for all the turns of her life had collected and disseminated information about the Mors Navis and rogue ships like hers. Strange to be in control of a tool that had been used to control and curtail so much of the Bullet Seas. It made her feel like an imposter, like she was about to get caught.

Taking the receiver from a wide-eyed crew member, Caledonia excused those feelings and reached instead for the confidence she felt whenever she stood at the helm of a ship.

“Lir,” she said.

“Caledonia.” It wasn’t the crooning greeting she’d come to expect, but something darker. As if, for the first time, he wasn’t pleased to be speaking with her. But it was what he said next that truly startled her: “Where is my brother?”

Caledonia turned wide eyes to Oran, unable to respond as her stomach filled with lead.

“Tassos had him, but I’m here and Donnally’s not, which must mean you have him.” He paused. Silence razored through the static. “I want my brother back.”

“He is not your brother.” The lead in Caledonia’s stomach turned molten, roiling in the deep sea of her belly. If she opened her mouth again, she was sure her breath would be hot enough to sear her lips and melt the receiver in her hand.

“Isn’t he?” Lir challenged. “Tell me, then, is he there of his own volition? Or is he a prisoner? Because I know my brother. I know him better than you do, and I would never imprison him as you have.”

“He’s not a prisoner.” A furious wave of anger surged in Caledonia’s mind. Lir didn’t get to care about her brother. He didn’t get to claim him or know him or worry about his well-being. He didn’t get to take any part of her family for himself.

“Then I will see him soon,” Lir answered, so certain. “And if I don’t, I’ll be seeing you soon.”

A hollow wind sang in Caledonia’s ears. The receiver was suddenly very heavy in her hand. Static filtered through, and for a long minute all she could do was stare at it. Then, just as suddenly as rage had clouded her mind, it cleared. She dug into her pocket for the garnet from Hesperus, pressing her thumb against its cool surface.

“Open a channel,” she snapped at Harwell.

“Yes, Captain.” Harwell bobbed his head rapidly. “Open.”