“Torture?” Tassos asked. “I think you misunderstand the purpose of the steel hand. It’s a means of proving loyalty. Commitment. Fortitude. I require Oran to prove himself.” He smiled again, savoring each word. “And it’s the only way I’ll entertain your proposal. Or I can sink your ships. I’ll be satisfied either way.”

Caledonia didn’t move. Her blood sang in her ears and she struggled against the urge to lash out at Tassos, to strike him or kill him. Either option would end in a losing battle. But everything about this moment felt like losing. Whatever was happening right now, it was deeply personal. There was nothing Caledonia could say to convince Tassos to forgo his vengeance.

“Do you give us your word that you’ll hear her out?” Oran asked.

“I give my word,” Tassos said lightly.

Caledonia caught Oran’s eyes. Though she didn’t trust anything Tassos said, it seemed that Oran did. She knew she should tell him that he didn’t have to do this, that they would find another way, one that didn’t involve this gruesome kind of payment. But she couldn’t. The truth was, there was no other way. She’d considered all their options, and this was the only viable one. The truth was, she was willing to trade his pain for the chance keep her fleet alive.

And so was he.

He nodded, the movement far too gentle for what he was consenting to. Caledonia returned the gesture. It was an agreement between the two of them. Both of them understanding that their actions, their choices had led to this place.

But nothing had ever felt as horrible as the moment she denied Oran all mercy and allowed him to slip his right hand into the glove. Nothing had ever darkened her heart as when she didn’t stop him before the steel glove engulfed the fingers of his left hand. And no sound had ever speared her as thoroughly as when the steel bands of the glove slowly crushed his fingers.

Caledonia kept her eyes on Oran’s as he struggled under the pain. She did not flinch when the first bone popped. The sound was almost gentle, the swift snapping of a branch.

Somewhere behind, she heard Pisces exhale sharply.

A second snap.

Oran’s breath crashed like waves against Caledonia’s heart.

A third crack.