“Aria,” he said, moving closer to where she slouched against the inner wall of the Hover, beneath the window where she’d last seen Perry’s ship.

Sable knelt, studying her. “Will you come with me tonight as my guest? I’d prefer not to force you.”

She smiled. “And I’d prefer you dead.”

Sable’s pupils flared with surprise at hearing her speak. He recovered quickly. “That will change. One day it will be better between us.”

“No, it won’t. I will always hate you.”

“Will you be the only one, then?” he asked, eagerness tingeing his voice. “The only one I can’t bend to my liking?”

Aria couldn’t answer that question. If she told him yes, she would only feed his sick obsession.

Outside, Kirra approached with Marron. Sable must have heard them, but he didn’t turn to look. He kept his gaze on Aria, as if by the force of his intensity alone he could bend her to his wishes.

Kirra stepped inside, her red hair losing its brilliance as she moved into the shadow of the Hover. She still had a nasty bruise over her jaw, where Aria had hit her.

Marron was disheveled and sunburned. He brought a trembling hand up, covering his mouth when he saw Aria. Did she look as dead as she felt?

Kirra’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “He’s here, Sable,” she said.

“Wait outside with him,” Sable replied. “I’ll be along soon.”

It was unnerving, the way he spoke with Kirra behind him while staring at Aria.

“She’s going to betray you like Olivia did,” Kirra said, anger seeping into her voice.

“Thank you, Kirra. Outside, please.”

Kirra shook her head at Aria and dragged Marron outside.

“Are you going to hurt him?” Aria asked when they were gone.

“Marron? No. I need him. I’ve called him here to get a status report. Nothing more.”

For a long moment, Aria just breathed as relief swept over her.

Kirra had stopped to speak with someone outside, her voice drifting into the Hover.

“How can you stand her?” Aria asked.

Sable smiled. “She’s served me for many years. I like her well enough, particularly when there is no one better around. Before you say anything, remember that she’s a Scire. Kirra knows where she stands with me and she accepts it.”

That word, Scire, took Aria right to Perry. She looked down at her hands, unable to hold Sable’s gaze.

“I’m tired, Aria. I want peace.”

“You want peace now that you have taken everything.”

“Not quite everything.”

She looked up. The desire in his expression nauseated her. At least he knew that. Her temper would tell him so without her having to say a word.