Corrupt leaders were why my parents were dead. They were why I'd spent years fighting in the shadows, gathering intelligence, and undermining Imperial authority wherever I could. Power corrupted, and the moment you stopped questioning the people in charge was the moment they started abusing that power. Even leaders who fought the same enemies you did. The enemy of my enemy wasn’t always my ally.
"What do you think they'll announce at the assembly?" Meg asked, finally abandoning her fingernails in favor of picking up a sweet roll from the cooling rack.
"Whatever it is, it's mandatory attendance." Zara twirled a blonde curl around one finger, which meant she was contemplating and strategizing. "The council sent runners around last night. Everyone has to be in the town square by midday. I don’t like it."
"They probably want to impress the Vandar," Skye said, once again calm and confident. "Show them that we're a united colony and that we're worth protecting."
Kaya tilted her head. "Or maybe they just want everyone to see the Vandar up close. Impress us with their Vandarness.” She grinned wickedly. “If the one who came in here was any indication, I look forward to being impressed.”
"You're impossible," I muttered, but there was no heat in it. Kaya had always been the flirt, but she was also the optimist, the one who could find something positive even in the bleakest situations. It balanced out my cynicism, most days.
"Do we think the Vandar know about us? About what we do?" Zara asked, worry wrinkling her brow.
The question sent a chill through the room that had nothing to do with the cold outside.
"The council doesn't even know about us," Skye said, with a lift of her chin meant to convey fortitude. "Not really. They suspect, but they can't prove anything."
"The council are idiots," Meg said bluntly. “Let’s hope the Vandar are as easily fooled.”
I wasn’t sure if everyone on the council was an idiot, but I also didn’t think they were courageous. Then I thought about the Vandar with the golden eyes. I suspected he would not be as easily fooled as the council.
Skye moved to the bread baskets, selecting a rustic wheat loaf and tapping it on the bottom. "Whatever happens, we stick together."
"Like we always do," Zara agreed, taking her own loaf.
Taking bread meant the meeting was ending, and that they'd be leaving separately with a loaf of bread to avoid drawing attention. It was a routine we'd perfected over years. Come in alone, leave alone, always with bread.
“See you at the assembly," Skye said, pulling her hood back up to mask her startlingly red hair.
They filtered out one by one, bells chiming their departures, until it was just Kaya and me again in the warm bakery. She hopped down from the counter and started swiping crumbs from the workspace, humming under her breath.
“About the way you looked at that Vandar,” she said conversationally.
"Kaya—"
"I'm just saying. I've never seen you look at anyone like that. Not even when Jakob tried to court you last year."
"Jakob is a pompous ass who thinks women exist to serve men," I said flatly. "And I wasn't looking at the Vandar any particular way. I was annoyed that he'd interrupted our work."
"Sure," Kaya said, in a tone that suggested she didn't believe me at all. "Whatever you say, Jas."
I didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, I focused on sliding the final loaves in the oven, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety forming in my stomach at the thought of the assembly and of possibly seeing those golden eyes again.
At least he'd be gone soon, I told myself. The Vandar would make their alliance official, probably station a few ships in orbit for protection, and then leave to patrol other settlements. I'd never have to see him again. Never have to deal with the unsettling way he'd made my heart race or the irritating fact that my stupid brain kept replaying the moment our eyes had met.
It’s no big deal, I assured myself. He’s no big deal. He’s just another soldier in a galaxy full of them. One I’d most likely never see again after today.
I allowed myself a long sigh. That was a relief.
Chapter 6
Wrexxon
The wind whipped across the platform as I sat between Venik and Kolt, watching the crowd fill the town square. Bundled figures shuffled in small groups, their breath fogging the sullen air as they settled into the rows of chairs that fanned away from us. Everything about Lexxona—from the fire pits at every intersection of the unpaved roads to the ropes fastened to buildings to keep residents from getting lost during whiteouts—spoke of surviving rather than thriving.
Kolt leaned closer, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "The other transports have arrived. I've posted raiders around the perimeter of the square and at key points throughout the colony. Battle axes visible, but weapons sheathed. Intimidating but not threatening."
I nodded, catching glimpses of my warriors positioned at the rear of the crowd. They stood head and shoulders above the humans, impossible to miss, and insurance against anyone deciding to cause problems when the announcement was made.
