We returned to the Seat and my quarters, Jabuticabron satisfied the guards he'd brought with him were investigating every last shard. I'd already toured the shattered lab with him, impressed by Sass's brother's ability to see things I missed.

"He put up a fight," Jabut said, pointing at Theridialis's favorite stool, one leg cracked and broken off, a bit of skin and blood clinging to it. "They didn't take him easily." Admiration shone in his deep voice. "Father always had a few ...