He kept glancing at the clock as he paced back and forth. It was almost time. But was he ready for what was to come? He didn’t feel ready.

Halden took a deep breath and sat on the couch.

He needed to think about something else or he would go mad.

Pressing two fingers against his temple, he initiated a holocall.

Vina’s face appeared against his retina.

“It was about time! I’ve been trying to...” She froze as she noticed his expression and worry crept over her face. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he lied. “It’s been a while. I just needed to see you. To hear your voice.”

His own faltered a little at the end and he pursed his lips, looking away.

“You scare me,” she said.

He had shared so much with her, but this he could not. It would put her life in danger, and he could not bear that thought. To the government, she was nothing. They would extinguish her small but so bright flame with the flicker of an uncaring finger, without a hint of hesitation.

“I saw Rees yesterday. We went to the beach. It was a lovely day. Talked about...” He frowned. Shook his head. “Talked about the old days.”

His poor attempt at changing the topic failed.

“I can see something is troubling you, Halden!”

“Please don’t ask me again,” he pleaded. “I cannot... I’m sorry, Vina.”

She stared at him in silence for a moment, and he could read the hurt in her eyes. Finally, she sighed in resignation.

“Your work requires secrecy, I understand. I apologize if I overstepped.”

He let her believe it was about work. It was easier that way, though it did not take the pain away, the knowledge, the burden he carried. He shuddered as he thought of his precious daughter having to carry a similar burden for so many years.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he said to her gently. His head turned toward the door when he heard the muffled sound of an approaching glider. “Ah. Marthus is here.” He could feel his heart beating faster.

“Marthus?”

He nodded, avoiding her gaze, fearing his eyes might betray him. “We’re having dinner at his place. I have to go. Talk to you later.”

Hating himself, he cut the call before she could respond.

He had hoped talking to her would help, but it hadn’t. If anything, it had made him feel worse. And now he had to put up a mask again... If Vina could see through him, how could he possibly hide anything from the one man in the Imperium who knew him best?

When the knock came, he jumped to his feet and walked to the door. It slid open when he pressed against the panel.

“Ready?” asked his smiling friend.

He smiled back, hoping it would look sincere. “Of course.”

They walked to the glider together.

“Lara was delighted to hear you were back. The kids are looking forward to seeing you again.”

His heart sank.

Those children called him uncle, just like Lucy had called her murderer uncle.

He went into the vehicle without saying a word.

Marthus gave him an odd look.

“You okay, buddy?”

Halden waited for the glider to be in the air before he turned a cold stare toward his once-upon friend.

“No.”

“What’s wrong?”

He clutched the pouch he carried with him.

“I want to know why you did it.”

“Did what?”

“Lucy.”

Their eyes locked.

“What about her?”

“Why did you take her away from me?”

Marthus looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, buddy.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“What?”

“Buddies don’t do to each other what you did to me. You lost the right to call me that when you gave that order, you sick son of a bitch.”

Halden’s penned-up anger was all coming out in a flow. He had not expected to say these words—to be so forward, so fast.

Marthus winced. Glanced at him.

There was a coldness in those eyes he had never noticed before. It chilled him to the bone.

“So that’s why you told me all that stuff,” he said slowly. “Was any of it true?”

It took a few seconds for Halden to understand what his former friend meant.

“Yes,” he said. “I really work for the visor now.”

Marthus smiled a cold smile.

“All is well, then.”

Halden snapped. “How can you say that after what you did to me?”

The other man frowned and shook his head.

“I’m sorry about that. Really, I am. But it’s not about you, Halden. It never was. You know I loved Lucy as much as my own kids. But she knew things she should not have known. And she was a journalist. It would have been too dangerous to leave her be. Oh, don’t think I didn’t try to reason with them, but they made me understand in no uncertain terms that I had no choice. It’s really Rees you should be upset about, if anyone. Lucy would still be alive today had he not whispered deadly secrets into her ear.”

Halden clenched his fists, jaw tightening.

“Them?”

Marthus smiled. “You didn’t really think I was the one who made that call, did you? My hand was forced. But now we have the same master. So, all is well. You need not worry anymore. You’re safe. Ah, look! We’re here.”

The glider landed as the cold, cruel words slowly sunk into him.

The same master.