Page 140 of Reaper Said Mine

“They use her to make me a monster again,” I say.

“Yes,” Ursa replies. “And if you react violently, you help them.”

I drag a hand down my face and feel the ridges of bone beneath my skin. “You are very committed to preventing my satisfying reactions.”

“Someone has to be.”

Vakka points at Ursa. “Can we hire her?”

“She is already overworked,” Skahar says.

“I’m also probably unemployed soon,” Ursa mutters.

I look at her.

She waves it away before I can speak. “That was a joke. Mostly.”

“There is space here.”

The words leave me before caution shapes them. Ursa stills, and I realize every person in the room understands too much of what I did not say. There is space here if Dawson burns her career. There is space here if Earth turns ugly. There is space here beside me, in my station, among my people, inside whatever future we are insane enough to imagine while enemies gather.

Her expression softens with pain and tenderness mixed together. “I know.”

Skahar rises slowly, using the cane more than usual. “Then make space without making prison. That is the lesson you will either learn or bleed from.”

I look at him. “You are enjoying this teacher role too much.”

“I have waited decades for you to become teachable.”

“Still waiting,” Vakka says under her breath.

I point at her. “I heard that.”

“Yes, lord. That was the design.”

The comm near Vakka’s wrist flashes with a diplomatic priority seal. She checks it, and whatever humor remains leaves her face. “Theryki requests an informal conversation before tomorrow’s session. Small gathering in the upper gallery. She specifies that Ms. Ramone’s presence would be welcome.”

Ursa gives a short laugh. “Of course she does.”

Skahar’s gaze sharpens. “She invites the bond into the room under courtesy.”

“She wants to watch us together,” Ursa says. “No formal record. No negotiated language. Just observation, pressure, gossip, and little poisoned compliments.”

“Then you do not go,” I say.

She turns toward me. “We just covered this.”

“No formal purpose exists.”

“There is a formal purpose. She wants to reassess strategy, and I want to see how.”

“This is bait.”

“Yes.”

“I dislike you near bait.”

“I dislike being bait. That doesn’t mean I ignore the trap.”