Didi chokes on a response, the last thing she expected walking in here like this with these two-yes, Jackus is with her, the ruddy bastoplast-smiling at her like she's their next meal. She needs to run, to turn and leave as fast as she can but her boots feel rooted into the stone tiles of the polished floor, her body frozen by utter confusion.

She's lost and it's her own fault for trusting Elian.

Except, the instant Murta makes a move toward Didi, the floor length ...