Rhen’s smile widened slightly.
“You found a wounded creature, decided you could save it, and fucked it before the blood on the floor had dried. Do not make your lack of judgment my moral failure.”
Dax moved before conscious thought could stop him.
He caught the front of Rhen’s shirt and drove him against the wall hard enough to shake the portraits.
“You piece of shit.”
Rhen laughed.
The sound held no delight, only cold amusement at having found the exact place to apply pressure.
“Did that touch a nerve?”
“You do not get to speak about her that way.”
“I can speak about the asset I created however I choose.”
“She is not an asset.”
“To you, she is apparently salvation.” Rhen’s eyes remained empty inches from Dax’s face. “Do not blame me when she burns through every noble fantasy you have constructed around her.”
Malakai closed one hand around Dax’s shoulder and pulled him back with practiced force.
His free hand moved sharply between them.
Enough. Both of you.
Dax allowed Malakai to separate them, although every part of him remained prepared to strike again.
Rhen straightened his shirt.
The coldness returned to his face as though nothing had happened.
“The tether is a nuisance. If it can be severed without wasting what she carries, it will be. Until then, keep her contained and stay out of my way.”
Shadow gathered around him.
He disappeared without another word.
The room settled into a heavy silence.
Cole dragged one hand over his face.
“Three days without Sule,” he muttered. “And we are already trying to kill one another.”
Dax looked at the space Rhen had vacated.
“No.”
Cole lowered his hand.
“Not one another.”
Dax turned back toward the map.
“Now tell me the plan.”
