Page 219 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘For how long?’ Kade asks.

‘Until life is better and people I love are safe.’

‘So, Iron Star and the Front are allies?’

‘For now,’ Vasily clarifies. ‘His people are his. Mine remain mine. We share information, avoid interfering and fight together if we need to.’

‘You realise those are the terms of the Accords you refused to sign?’

‘I could not join with the people I thought killed my friend, and then the people I thought were holding my friend hostage.’

Cold air meets them as they emerge from the staircase into the garage, carrying concrete, engine oil and the faint metallic scent of piped water.

Vasily’s car waits beside the first pressure gate, long, black and polished enough to make Iron Star’s vehicles seem aggressively mundane by comparison. He’s right. It’s a nice car. A driver stands beside the rear door, with two Front soldiers positioned near the bonnet.

‘Your people are staying in the city?’ Kade asks.

‘We have been here for years. No unnecessary movement, no interference with Iron Star territory was his condition.’

Lachlan snorts. ‘Of course, the uptight prick.’

‘He favours control,’ Vasily says. The words stir something defensive inside Kade, but Vasily doesn’t sound critical. ‘I have always respected Riley Harker, even from afar. Man in charge must control all.’

They cross the garage.

Overhead, enormous feeder pipes run the length of the vehicle lock, secured to the ceiling with steel brackets before branching above each gate. Kade eyes the car.

‘That’s taking you to your headquarters?’

‘Mm. Hopefully no one started war while I was in meeting.’

Lachlan asks, ‘Is that a frequent concern for you?’

‘Eh, you know.’

‘I still can’t believe you run the Front.’

‘Well, you are not always the best judge for future landings, Lock.’

‘Fair point.’

‘I am sorry I could not remove you out from prison.’

‘It’s OK. I get it.’

‘Blaire said you were safer in there and I believe her.’

Lachlan cups his face. ‘I know you do, kid.’

Kid. Lock. The names belong to a life Kade can’t reach, one in which these two men stood beside each other often enough for Lachlan Tanner to become Lock and Vasily Sorrenko was once a kid.

Vasily moves towards the car.

Kade says, ‘Wait.’ The question has been sitting beneath Kade’s tongue since seeing Vasily here again, but asking it in the Council Room was too much. Moving closer, Kade asks, ‘What was he like?’

Vasily’s gaze settles on him. ‘Who?’

‘Julian.’