"Loyalty," Miles said, ridiculously ninja-good at walking up to private conversations unnoticed. "Arkady confessed all of this to me ages ago. He was ashamed and wanted to make it up to you by being a part of Team Jezebel."

Arkady winced. "Tell all my secrets, why don't you?"

Miles shrugged. "I told you it would only hurt more not to tell her."

There was a pause and a space where Arkady's shoulders rose, fell, and then he sighed.

"I'm sorry, Ash. It got ...