“There’s no escape,” Marchion Ro rasped from the other side of the misappropriated weapon, Loden’s vision squirming.

He lies.

But Loden knew the truth. He couldn’t escape. Not on his own. He needed help. He needed …

“Bell.”

CHAPTER SEVENTY

The Grizal camp

“Master,” Bell whispered.

Indeera looked at her Padawan, warning him to remain quiet. Sneaking into the complex had been trickier than she’d thought. They’d found Klerin being questioned by the woman that Amarant had identified as Dee, but Bell was strangely distracted, struggling to cloud his presence, no matter how many times she tried to show him.

And now there was this, speaking aloud as they hid behind a doorway. Even Ember was keeping quiet. Why couldn’t he?

“I’m sorry,” Bell muttered, backing away.

Indeera reached out, grabbing his arm. “Where are you going?”

“It’s Loden.”

“What?”

Bell pulled himself free, Ember going with him. “He’s alive, Indeera. I felt him say my name, here … now. I have to go.”

She let them leave. What else could she do? The moment Bell had said Loden’s name, she’d known it to be true. He was right, there was no mistaking the presence she suddenly felt as clear as if the Twi’lek were standing in front of her. It was … fractured, yes, but there all the same, amplified by his connection with Bell. Surely that wasn’t possible. Surely the Nihil hadn’t kept Loden Greatstorm prisoner for the better part of a year?

“Wait.”

The word snapped Indeera back to the scene that was unfurling in Lourna Dee’s chamber. Klerin had taken a step forward toward the Nihil, her voice filled with a confidence that just hadn’t been there before.

“I said it was a prototype,” she told Dee. “My prototype. My mother took credit for the device, but it was my work. As is this.”

She lifted up an arm, her bangle slipping down slightly from her wrist.

“Mother is gone, but this still exists: a portable unit, powered by tolium. I tried to approach one of your … associates on Valo, but he tried to take it from me. He’s dead now, too.”

Was that a threat? This girl was full of surprises.

“Show me,” Dee commanded, holding out a hand.

Klerin covered the bangle protectively. “Not until we discuss the price.”

“You want to sell it to us?”

It was a shock to Indeera as well.

“Why not? The Republic has no stomach for the device, and they think you already have the plans for the prototype.”

“Why?”

“Because I told them.”

“I don’t trust you,” Dee said.

A wise decision, Indeera thought bitterly.

“How do I know you’re speaking the truth?” Dee asked.

“You want a guarantee? A sign of good faith?”

“Yes.”