I turn the table so he can look at me better, then I walk away from him. I don’t owe him shit. Besides, it gives me a good opportunity to see more of his back and the augmented filtration system they added along his spine that gives him a monstrous look. It’s armored and looks like lying back might be uncomfortable.
“We don’t have time for a lot of talk. So I’m going to tell you the most important things,” he continues. “First, I work for General Erdox, not by choice.”
I circle the cell. “The one who led CSP in the revolt against Titan and Omega Forces?”
He closes his eyes and nods once. “When I was younger, I had a crush on Joey’s half-sister, Leah. I saved Joey’s life before he was a piece of shit because he was my friend, and Leah still had hope they could be a family. I wanted that for us, for all three of us. But General Erdox held her life over my head. In exchange, I served him by protecting his son.Servehim.”
I glance at Joey, slumped in his cuffs in the neighboring cell. “JoeyErdox?”
“Yeah. General Krader and General Erdox screwed the same chick and hated each other for it. Fought over her. And now look at us all. Fucking mess. But Erdox has a very manipulative way with words. I think Krader was a far better man. So their mother and I share something in common, falling for Erdox’s bullshit promises.”
I sit in the guard’s seat by the door. “Do you know where he is now?”
“Stays out of conflict orbit. Always remote. But I know of a few places.”
“Then you’re useful enough that the Titans won’t kill you.”
He shifts like he’s uncomfortable. “Is Leah still alive?”
“As far as I know.”
He swallows like his throat aches. “I know she hates me. I just wish she knew why I did it.”
“She’s Bonded.”
Lenarro laughs sadly. “You think we don’t know how to line up Titan personalities with humans or to follow the Blood Heir Code? I’m sure it’s Savage. He was General Krader’s Titan in Command.”
The door slides open. Armor looks from me to Lenarro. “Venom Squadron. We need information.”
Joey shouts at us from the other room, but I can’t make out what he says.
“Use Iridithatium smoke to tint the ghostcloaks. All I can say is hydramidium can hold up to the acid. But I haven’t overheard anything else about the ships. Just watch out. The Solcrue on these ships have venom augments, too. Now somebody better hit me in the face to help me keep my cover.”
“Gladly.” Armor walks in and tags Lenarro in the nose, sending his face gushing blood.
“Damn it, Armor!”
“It’s fine,” Lenarro mumbles with a smile as purple liquid stains his face. “Pain now reminds me I’m not in her lab anymore.”
“Erdox’s?”
“Shivnel’s. Sevrin’s twin sister.” Lenarro lays his head back, laughing. “Sevrin, the maniacal Solcrue that created the welvirs and tortured hundreds of people trying to get augments right, has a fucking sister who’s worse than him. She has a private Poison Arrow docked onCorenge.”
I step out of the room with Armor and glance back at Lenarro. He got suckered into the war without even wanting it. His actions were to protect a human, not hurt one. He justdrew an unlucky card with Joey. I give him a subtle nod of appreciation, but it’s all I can do for now.
“You believe anything he says?” Armor asks me when the door shuts.
My gut wants to. “Guess we’ll just have to try iridithatium smoke.” Before I can continue, Armor interrupts.
“Loaded. Javelin found some on a lower deck. Makes sense that CSP are in on it.”
I give him the rundown of what Lenarro’s said as we walk up to where the pilots are. “Have Karambit check Joey for trackers.”
“I already did,” Karambit remarks.
I turn to him. “Do you really think General Erdox would let his son disappear on him that easily? Check him again.”
“Shit. Is that who he is?” Mace asks.
