“The ones I need are where I want them. And all the people out there—Horns and Tides—are mine now. They won’t draw a breath unless I allow it. That means there will be no disruption as we rebuild. Because of me, we’ll survive here. Because of me, we’ll thrive. I’m simply giving us all the best chances possible. I don’t see how that’s wrong.”

“Killing Reef and Gren wasn’t wrong?”

“Reef would have challenged me. He was a threat, and now he isn’t. Gren was in the way.”

“Reef was only trying to protect the Tides.”

“Which I also want, now that they’re mine.”

“Why are you here, Sable? Why are you trying to convince me that you’ve done the right thing? I’ll never believe you.”

“You respected Peregrine. That means you’re capable of good judgment.”

“What are you saying? You want me to respect you?”

He stood very still for long moments. She saw the answer in his piercing gaze. “Given enough time, you will.”

Again, she could think of nothing to say in reply. If he believed that, then he was well and truly insane.

An hour later, Sable began his campaign to win her over with an invitation to supper. He had set up an area outside, up the beach, with a fire for himself and his most trusted circle. He asked her to join him.

“Fish soup,” he said. “The Tides’ specialty, I’m told. Nothing to rave about, in all honesty, but it is fresh, unlike the horror of the Dwellers’ prepackaged meals. And the stars, Aria . . . I cannot begin to describe them to you. It’s as though the heavens themselves—the very roof of the universe—have been scattered with embers. An incredible sight. I want to show it to you, but if you choose not to come, I understand.”

He was an expert manipulator, offering her the heavens. The stars! How could she refuse?

She remembered how he’d manipulated Liv, too. Sable had told Liv, his purchased bride, that he would grant her freedom if she wanted it. He could be kind, when kindness lured a person to take a sip of poison. He could be charming and considerate. He could fool a person into believing he had a heart.

Did Scires only come in two kinds? As forthright as Liv and Perry, or as dishonest as Sable?

She shook her head. She didn’t want to eat. She didn’t want to see stars. She wanted to see Roar and Talon. But Sable wasn’t offering her that.

“I don’t want to see the universe,” she said. “I don’t want to see you one second longer than I have to.”

Sable inclined his head. “Another time, then.”

Instead of disappointment, Aria saw determination in his eyes.