“I like you,” Ingenue said. “Come on. Take five minutes to catch your breath and talk to me. I’ll be the reckless, horrible lieutenant who divulges far too much of her stuffy boss’s plan, as an enticement. Don’t you want to know what he’s doing? Why?”

Swansong didn’t move.

“Should I—” the Black Goat started. Ingenue gave him a hard look. “—shutting up.”

“You lose nothing, and if you wait, there’s a chance Valkyrie’s forces mount an attack. It would put us at a disadvantage, having to deal with you and them at the same time.”

Swansong remained where she was. Her hand didn’t stop moving, perpetually, unconsciously. It made Ingenue think of Black Kaze and her constant, unconscious reach for her katana.

Did you take your meds twice, in hopes of finding more balance? It doesn’t work that way. Or did you take medication for that injury at your side and unwittingly boost the other?

Poor girl.

“Water?” Ingenue asked. She motioned to Leister. He reached for his pack and grabbed a water bottle, throwing it to her. She caught it with one hand. “Interested?”

“I’m not stupid,” Swansong said. “No.”

“What does it take?” Ingenue asked.

“You bend the knee, admit you’re lower than shit, swearing yourself to someone like Teacher and threatening the world like this.”

“I always did like your type of hero. I prefer the theatrical, majestic guy sort, but… a taste for the theatrical is so important. A bit of healthy arrogance. We lost that, somewhere along the way.”

“You’re not kneeling. You’re not only lower than shit, you’re stupid too.”

Ingenue turned to Leister. “I forbid you from lying. Tell her about Valkyrie’s forces and their attacks.”

“They’ve been attacking regularly,” Leister said. “We’re due for another attack soon.”

“Is it to her advantage or mine if we make idle chatter?”

“Hers, not ours,” Leister said.

“See?” Ingenue asked.

“It’s an obvious trap.”

“I’m bored,” Ingenue said. “And I’ve got brainless company, and the rest of my company has no personality because Teacher worked on them. Look… Spawner. I’m going to want you to throw yourself from this ledge, to the hallway below us. Make it a hard enough landing that it takes you a while to heal. Leister, Usher, Captain Claw, when I say so, I want you to go to that platform all the way down there. Hang off the edge.”

“Threats? Hostages?” Swansong asked.

“They won’t be in earshot. I’m getting them out of the way, so we can talk. Idle the time until Teacher loses.”

Swansong shook her head. “Now I know you’re baiting me.”

“I don’t have a very high estimation of the man, but he’s convenient, and Contessa is loose. This doesn’t end well for him. Again, let’s talk. You and little old me.”