Page 14 of Reaper Said Mine

The corner of her mouth twitches. "And what do you want?"

There it is, the true question beneath the robes and clauses. Not what price. Not what terms. What hunger drives the beast at the table?

I could tell her I want security. I could tell her I want justice, recognition, territory, a future. All of those things would be true enough to pass a weak scan. None of them would be the whole blade.

I smile. "I want the Helios Combine to check market reports before they check casualty lists."

Skahar’s cane stops tapping.

Theryki’s expression becomes very still.

I continue before she can decide whether to admire or condemn me. "I want their investors afraid. I want their executives to discover that every credit earned from Reaper bones carries interest. I want them forced into mistakes because fear makes rich men clumsy. If your proposal helps me do that while protecting my people, I consider it. If it does not, I use your presence to make Helios sweat until you tire of my hospitality."

One of her aides whispers, "Outrageous."

I glance at him. He goes pale enough that his scales lose color.

Theryki does not look away from me. "That is a dangerous admission."

"So was entering my command center without invitation."

She studies me for several long seconds while the station works around us. When she finally speaks, her voice is softer, and that makes it sharper. "Revenge makes poor policy."

"I have heard worse policy dressed as peace."

"I wonder, Lord Gnash, whether you understand how many forces are now watching you."

"All of them, I hope. I dressed up."

A rough burst of laughter rolls through the Reapers, and even Skahar’s mouth twitches. Theryki gives me a small smile that contains no warmth at all.

"You are amusing," she says. "That will make your downfall more entertaining for your enemies."

"My enemies have poor taste."

"They have patience."

"So do I."

"No," she says, stepping close enough that I can see the fine gold threading along the edge of her collar. "You have appetite. Patience belongs to those who can endure delay without confusing it for insult."

For a moment, the room narrows to her eyes and mine. Theryki is vile in the polished way of experienced negotiators, but she is not stupid. That makes her almost pleasant compared to Gobold. She sees more of me than I prefer, though not all. Never all.

"If you wished to pressure me," I say, "you should have brought better gifts."

"I brought opportunity."

"My docks brought refugees this morning. They are more persuasive."

Her gaze shifts toward the trade feeds, and something like irritation passes through her composure. "Compassion is expensive."

"Cruelty costs more. The bill merely arrives later."

Skahar turns his head slowly toward me. "I may weep."

"Do not. Your face might crack."

Theryki exhales through her nose. "The Coalition council expects a substantive answer within ten days."